Le Grain de Sénevé
"The Mustard Seed"
Hervé & Adeline
RaveraLe Grain de Sénevé
From nursing and midwifery to high-altitude viticulture. 500 meters above sea level, volcanic soils, horse-plowed, zero-additive Gamay.
From healthcare to high-altitude vines
Hervé Ravera
Former Nurse, VigneronWorked as a nurse before following his calling to the earth. In 2007, he left medicine to purchase a neglected 2-hectare parcel at 500 meters altitude in Marchampt. A serious, modest, and hardworking vigneron who brings the same care to his vines as he did to his patients—gentle, intuitive, and respectful of natural rhythms [^192^][^194^][^219^].
Adeline Ravera
Former Midwife, PartnerJoined Hervé in 2022 after working as a midwife. Together they form a husband-and-wife team united by a shared dream: to produce wines that honor nature, family, and the slower rhythms of life. They live on-site with their four children, tending a biodiverse farm where bees, geese, chickens, and fruit trees coexist with the vines [^192^][^193^].
The land has never been worked by machine. Hervé employs the help of his horse to run the plow between vines, and the finer work is carried out using a pickaxe.
— On farming at Le Grain de Sénevé
Nurturing nature's expression
The name "Le Grain de Sénevé" translates to "The Mustard Seed"—the smallest of seeds that grows into something grand. This reflects their approach: modest in scale (2.5 hectares), but profound in expression [^196^][^219^].
Located in Marchampt in southwestern Beaujolais, their vineyards sit at 400-500 meters altitude on steep slopes with volcanic and schistous soils. The rocky, iron-rich terrain and cool, slow-ripening conditions preserve freshness and acidity rarely found in Beaujolais [^192^][^196^][^221^].
Organic since 2007 (uncertified), they practice zero mechanization. No tractors ever—only a winch for plowing, a horse for working between vines, and pickaxes for the finest work. This preserves soil structure and prevents compaction on the steep volcanic slopes [^193^][^219^].
- 100% whole cluster, hand-harvested
- Spontaneous fermentation in buried concrete tanks
- No temperature control
- No pumping over or punching down
- No oak (concrete/steel only)
- No filtration, no fining
- Zero added sulfur (usually)
Their beloved workhorse who plowed the steep volcanic slopes until his passing in November 2022.
Alizée (new mare) expected to start work in 2025 after maternity leave.
The Cellar
Hervé uses a massive 100-year-old press attached to the house. All wines ferment in buried concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts. He allows each vintage to express its full character without subtraction or addition.
Pure, transparent, high-altitude Gamay
All wines are Vin de France or Beaujolais-Villages, made from 40+ year old Gamay vines. In a world where top Beaujolais seems to be becoming more extracted and dense, Hervé's wines maintain transparency and purity while still showing serious varietal character [^194^][^196^].
Roue Libre
Lower Slope / Semi-carbonicThe estate's first cuvée since 2007. From the lower section of the vineyard. Deep, smoky, mineral Gamay with a very fresh finish. Spontaneous fermentation in closed concrete tanks, then storage in fiberglass. "Free wheel"—letting nature drive [^196^][^202^].
Volcanic & granite soils
10-day semi-carbonic
Concrete & fiberglass
No added sulfur
500 Mètres
Highest Point / Semi-carbonicFrom the most elevated parcel at 500 meters. Cooler temperatures, greater freshness, and distinct high-altitude character. Shows the transparency and purity that defines the estate [^192^][^195^].
Coolest parcel
Semi-carbonic maceration
Concrete élevage
Fresh & mineral
Vos Lettres Sont Irrésistibles
Young Vines / Carbonic"Your letters are irresistible"—a poetic name for a cuvée from younger vines planted with fruit trees between each row. True carbonic maceration at room temperature (no added CO₂). Expressive, fruity, and charming [^192^][^196^].
Fruit tree companions
True carbonic (no CO₂)
Concrete tanks
Expressive character
Pierre de Faîte
New Acquisition / Semi-carbonicFrom a newly acquired southern plot ("Pierre de Faîte" or "Ridge Stone"). The youngest vines on the estate, but already showing distinct terroir character. Semi-carbonic maceration, aged in concrete tanks [^196^][^206^].
Youngest vines
10-day maceration
Stainless steel aging
Rising cuvée
Ad Semper
Vines in ConversionFrom vines in organic conversion. "Forever"—a testament to patience and the long road to organic certification. Supple, red fruit notes, and eminently drinkable. A wine of transition and hope [^193^][^217^].
Semi-carbonic
Supple & fruity
Fiberglass aging
No sulfur
Sychar
100% Pinotin / Since 2020Since 2020, Hervé has planted Pinotin (a hybrid variety) and produces this experimental cuvée. Carbonic maceration at room temperature. The future direction of the estate—exploring resistant varieties [^193^].
Planted 2019
Resistant hybrid
Carbonic maceration
Future-facing
Also Look For
Le Monde Est Trop Petit ("The World is Too Small") — Another cuvée from 40-year-old vines, whole cluster, 10-day maceration. A wine that speaks to the interconnectedness of all things [^196^].
All wines are bottled without fining or filtration, with minimal or zero added sulfur.