Les Chemins de l'Arkose, Organic Wines from Auvergne

The Les Chemins de l’Arkose estate is situated in Auvergne, in the heart of Montpeyroux. Yvan Bernard and Audrey Baldassin cultivate 11 hectares of vines there on some of the finest terroirs in the Puy-de-Dôme. The soils are clay-limestone, mixed to varying degrees with volcanic ash and basalt. On a highly fragmented vineyard that is therefore difficult to mechanise, they work with respect for the environment. Organic farming dictates: no insecticides, no fungicides and no synthetic chemical treatments. Ploughing and natural grass cover are practised. Their wines serve as a benchmark in Auvergne, thanks to their respect for the terroir and the vibrant purity of the wines. Welcome to Auvergne: this is where the Loire begins!

Yvan Bernard and Les Chemins de l’Arkose

A former student of the Beaune wine school in Burgundy, Yvan Bernard set up his business in 2001 at the age of 22. As he did not come from a family of winegrowers, he rented plots of vines from various owners to get started. Over the course of twenty years, he developed his estate using organic farming methods and produced wines under his own name. In 2020, he joined forces with Audrey Baldassin, who had already been working at the estate for several years. With her, the estate now comprises 3.5 hectares of vines on beautiful volcanic terroirs. The estate became Les Chemins de l’Arkose, and the adventure continues.

Wines from Auvergne, with their diverse terroirs

Like the region itself, the terroirs of Les Chemins de l’Arkose are extremely varied. They range from volcanic ash soils to limestone mixed with basalt, clay-limestone or granitic arkose. The vineyards are spread around Montpeyroux, the Puy de Corent and around Blanzat. Altitude is also a key factor for the wines. The vineyard is situated between 450 and 500 metres above sea level, which allows the wines to retain their freshness and acidity.

Gamay from Auvergne, the traditional grape variety of Les Chemins de l’Arkose

The estate’s traditional grape variety is Gamay d’Auvergne. This is a Gamay native to the region; it is a black grape with white juice, a variety characterised by bunches that are often large and winged. In the region, whilst the most recent plantings (mainly over the last thirty years) have been predominantly of the Gamay variety known as ‘Beaujolais’, there are still many older vines planted with Gamay d’Auvergne.

Yvan Bernard and Audrey Baldassin also grow Pinot Noir and a small amount of Syrah. The white wines are made from Chardonnay and Aligoté. They also have an old vine of the Seibel 5455 hybrid, created through cross-breeding at the start of the century to combat phylloxera. This old vine holds great sentimental value as it was planted by Audrey’s grandmother. The natural sparkling wine is made from these grapes.

Organic farming and natural winemaking

The entire estate switched to organic farming (certified by Ecocert) in 2010. No synthetic chemicals, plant-based treatments, adherence to the lunar calendar and a return to soil cultivation are the main focuses of work in the vineyards. Respect for indigenous yeasts, and maceration and ageing tailored to each cuvée are the guiding principles in the cellar. The result is 12 different cuvées, all vinified as naturally as possible: Arkose, Petrosus, Banlieue Rouge, Le Clos, Dome, Fleuve Tranquille …

A few photos of the Chemins de l’Arkose

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