Towards the end of the nineties, with a view to excellence driven by Christophe EHRHART, the vineyards were turned over to fully organic and bio-dynamic culture. This alternative route, more demanding and expensive than conventional viticulture, allows man to work in harmony with the sky, the earth and the vines. This close relationship between these four elements produces superb grapes which, in their turn, give birth to deep, balanced wines with a unique personality.

This balance of sky to earth to plant to man is the result of careful and conscientious work in the vineyard based on these 4 essential elements.

1°. Respect for the soil and fertilisation

Not merely a support, a well-balanced and living soil is essential for plants to flourish in harmony with nature’s rhythms. The soil is worked to optimise the inter-relationship of air and water. One row of vines in two is left to develop naturally to produce a greater diversity of flora and fauna. Furthermore the competition from other plants that develop as a result of this practice encourages the vines to send roots deeper into the soil for nourishment.

They prepare their own biodynamic compost which they use in the Autumn in small quantities (1 to 3 tonnes/hectare) and this encourages a rich and varied range of micro-organisms. Vines thus cultivated are able to express the character of the terroir naturally.

2°. Vines

To achieve maximum diversity and complexity of fruit, only plant vines grafted from our very best old vines are used. Particular attention is paid to the way the grafts adapt to the particular soil and climate where they are planted. The minimum planting density is 5200 to the hectare which is the minimum for the full expression of the mineral complexity of our terroir. Equally the young vines are given all the time they need to root properly to ensure both quality and longevity.

3°. Care of the vines

Instead of the systematic use of chemicals, which behave very much in the same way as antibiotics in humans with all the problems that brings, they use plants and preparations to help the vines find their natural balance. They use concoctions of nettles, willow and horsetail as a kind of herbal « tea » in order to reduce the need for copper and sulphur. These preventive measures, given in rhythm with the phases of the moon, help to reinforce the vines’ natural immunity. Topping is only carried out once the new growth is developed in order to avoid the growth of secondary buds and thus to develop a natural, open and airy canopy.

4°. The Grapes

Their work as wine - growers is to ensure that every one of the 150,000 vines are encouraged to bring to each of their grapes, their children, all the unique characteristics of their terroirs. It is only once all these elements have come to full maturity that they start our picking, which is entirely carried out by hand.

Thus begins the delicate work of raising these elements, through fermentation and all the many processes needed to the eventual birth of unique and inimitable wines. With no additions of yeast, sugar or enzymes, the vinification has the sole aim of bringing the grape to the bottle in a wine to enjoy throughout its life.