Ferme du Vastel - Christophe Bouvet

Uncompromising "Nature" from the wild edges of the Cotentin peninsula.

Founded in 2007 by Christophe Bouvet, Ferme du Vastel is a small-scale, high-conviction cidery located in the rugged Val de Saire region of Normandy’s Cotentin peninsula. Christophe breathed life back into an old family farm that had been dormant for decades, transforming it into a laboratory for biodiversity. Working entirely on leased land (fermage), he treats the landscape with a nomadic respect, focusing on the preservation of traditional orchards and the production of "living" beverages that mirror the wild energy of the Manche coast.

Christophe’s philosophy is captured in his definition of "Cidre Nature": zero additives from the tree to the bottle. His orchards are managed under strict Organic and Bio-Cohérence certifications, ensuring a deep harmony between the fruit trees and the surrounding ecosystem. Beyond apples and pears, the farm is famous for its seasonal harvest of fresh birch sap (sève de bouleau), harvested in the nearby forests, highlighting Christophe's role as a gatherer as much as a cider maker.

In the cellar, the process is pure and patient. Every cuvée is vintage-dated, reflecting the unique climatic character of the year. Fermentations are 100% spontaneous, powered by wild yeasts, and the cider is bottled without fining, filtration, or any added sulfites. Whether it’s his sharp, mineral-driven ciders or his rare small-batch spirits like the Bisou du Vastel, Christophe’s work is characterized by a rustic elegance and a crystalline purity. These are ciders with a true sense of place—unfiltered expressions of a salt-sprayed, bocage terroir.