Culture
When our team arrived in 2018, the estate had been abandoned for many years: the old vines were neglected except during essential pruning and small manual harvesting. Weed control and phytosanitary treatments were seldom performed, with only 2-3 annual uses of a Bordeaux mixture and mechanical cultivator. For most winemakers, this would be an inconvenience; however, for us, it presented an opportunity to start with a clean slate unblemished by the widespread use of chemicals in modern agriculture. Thankfully, the vines and soil had yet to ever be in contact with chemicals, allowing our team to embrace biodynamic farming by altogether forgoing the use of chemicals and this enabled us to revive the aged vines to craft something genuinely exceptional.
Our philosophy is to protect our land’s biodiversity by committing to the entirely natural cultivation of our vines. In order to achieve this goal, we use organic products, minimal treatments (4-5 times less than traditional agriculture) and only animal, vegetable, or mineral composts.
Philosophy
Upon our arrival, we planted 6 hectares of new vines on lands that had never been chemically treated, which permitted us to quickly achieve organic certifications. We forwent chemical weed control instead of working the soil with mechanical tools and sometimes manually with the help of Provencal hoes and weeders, especially when working with young vines. Additionally, we continue to limit the adverse effects of monoculture by introducing plant diversity through biannually planting certified organic and non-GMO seeds. These include cereals, clovers, lucerne, ryegrasses, daisies, poppies and dandelions.
Our commitment to preserving and maintaining the region's natural biodiversity, composed of dozens of species, led us to plant over 2km of hedges, laurels, cypresses, olive trees and Provence lavenders around our land. One of the objectives of this planting was to obtain the designation 'Clos', which is exclusively granted to vineyard parcels delimited by a wall or hedge.
Biodiversity
To preserve the wild flora and fauna in our surroundings, we have kept much of the original vegetation as well as streams and drainage channels which all play a vital role in the environment, providing habitats for species such as bees, mason wasps, rodents and many more. Working in harmony with nature allows us to produce exceptional wines that reflect our passion and commitment to quality - which are at the heart of our project.
We are dedicated to promoting a nourishing environment through the introduction of a broad assortment of cover plants. We plant grass shrouds twice a year using certified organic and non-GMO seeds, which consist of a diverse range of plants, including cereals, clovers, alfalfa, fescues, meadow grass and a beautiful mix of flowers such as daisies, peonies and poppies. Through this approach, we foster soil health and nutrient retention whilst also creating habitats for various wildlife.
Approach
We strive to naturally concentrate the aromas, prevent ‘hydric stress’ and maintain the essential natural acidity in the pursuit of high-quality grapes. By careful pruning, disbudding and limiting the yields to 22-25 hectoliters per hectare, we guide the vine to concentrate the perfect balance of sugars acidity as well as phenolic compounds. This approach helps create a more homogeneous maturity and a better balance, ensuring the vines are not exhausted.
While winemaking is deeply rewarding, it is also often challenging, especially with natural cultivation and fermentation practices. Frost and hail are just a few of the climatic mishaps that can impact grape crops. To manage these risks and to adapt to the shifting climatic conditions, we have chosen a diverse selection of grape crops that are adaptable to different climate conditions. It is also important to select grape varieties that are well-suited to the local environment, with different maturation times.
By remaining adaptable and implementing the most effective farming practices, we aim to produce exceptional wines that are both flavoursome and resilient.
