No, this isn't an April Fool's joke! The grape harvest really did take place yesterday at the "Danzay" locality in Beaumont-en-Véron. And it wasn't some hybrid grape variety, but Cabernet Franc. What's more, the vines were laden with remarkably well-preserved bunches.
The story is quite unusual. It begins at the Château de Danzay, nestled among the vineyards in Beaumont-en-Véron. There, apparently following a dispute with a contractor, a 40-hectare plot was not harvested this autumn. The grapes remained on the sturdy vines of this old vineyard, ideally situated within the appellation.

The presence of these unharvested bunches did not fail to intrigue Martine Budé, a winegrower of Flemish origin who has settled, since 2015, a few hundred meters away, at Clos de la Niverdière, where she lovingly tends her first vintages with passion.
Regularly strolling through the area, Martine Budé, a former interior designer who has been involved in winemaking for nearly twenty years, had no trouble convincing the landowner to let her take care of the vineyard. The analysis of the grapes proved even more promising than initially thought.
«"The grape bunches are beautiful and full, and they benefited from the late-season sun in this already very interesting year of 2015. There were even some good frosts recently which brought a little noble rot, resulting in a surprising outcome."», comments the winemaker amidst the dozen or so relatives who came to help her with this historic harvest on December 13th.

«"Unprecedented in 41 years!"»

His near neighbor, Francis Audebert, from the manor of La Courtinière, is also astonished: «"I've been in this business for 41 years, and I've never seen anything like it!"» The grapes have a sugar content of 15.5% and are quite sweet, promising one or more exceptional vintages. Given the late harvest, the wine will not be eligible for the Chinon appellation, but will instead produce an unusual Touraine wine. «"There should be between 10 and 15 hectoliters. I'm going to make a rosé first, and maybe a sweet wine."» A bit like the "late harvest vintages" from some vineyards.
In any case, Martine Budé's eyes are already shining, delighted by this unusual opportunity: «"If you don't do this job with passion and a touch of madness, there's no point in getting up in the morning."»
Yesterday, she was already at dawn on the plot and will, for months, follow the evolution of this very special vintage!