The story of the Domaine des Grandes Vignes goes back to the 17th century and is testament to a highly successful legacy of family land passed on from generation to generation.
Laurence, Dominique and Jean-Francois, three children of the Vaillant family, took the decision to devote the land to wine alone.
They have an exceptional growing area of 55 hectares (135 acres). Planted with the Chenin variety for white wines, Cabernet for reds and Grolleau, Gamay and Cabernet for rosé. The appellations offered owe their diversity to the varying lie of the land and its characteristic soil make-up: grey and green schist, phtanite, quartz, decomposed seashells, sand and gravelly pebbles, as well as various different exposures.
They have been committed to converting to Organic Farming since 2006 and, since 2008, to biodynamic methods. Although they were already leaving natural grass cover in between the vines, composting and working the soil naturally since 1999, after further trials, discussions on organic farming methods and especially training in biodynamic culture, they were so convinced that this was the right way to go that they just went for it.The vineyard is enriched with manure and tilled but otherwise left wild. They apply special kinds of ‘infusions’, Bordeaux mix and sulphur as treatments against oidium (powdery mildew). Mites and other harmful insects are fought off by the vines’ natural defences.
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