Stéphane Rocher

Loire Valley

Stéphane Rocher is a small-scale natural winemaker in the Touraine whose wines have developed a following among enthusiasts drawn to honest, low-intervention Loire Valley expressions. His Grappe de Bulle is a pétillant-naturel—a traditional méthode ancestrale sparkling wine finished in the bottle before full fermentation is complete—that showcases the Loire's indigenous yeasts and the fresh fruit character of his vineyards. The Lemon Tree is a distinctive white whose name hints at the citrus-driven freshness of the Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc base. Les Petits Cailloux (both Rouze and Blanc) are named for the small stones that characterize portions of his vineyard sites, and the wines carry a stony, mineral freshness that reflects those soils directly. Pierres Bleues, named for the blue stones found in certain Loire sites, reaches for more depth and structure. Rocher's philosophy is one of minimal intervention at every stage, from farming without synthetic chemicals to avoiding fining, filtration, and heavy-handed sulfur use in the cellar.