Keys to the vineyard - The terroir

15 land parcels on 15 different terroirs each vinified separately

•  The roots force themselves deep between the stones to draw out the goodness they need from the soil (nutriments, oligo elements) and, thus, form the wines' aromas. There's an astonishing variety of soil in these 15 parcels.

•  Arid and well drained land means the vines have to struggle to survive, which is vital if they are to create rare, complex aromas.

•  Each vine produces grapes with different characteristics depending on the soil, the land's gradient, the aspect. This is why we vinify each parcel separately. And it means I have a great choice at my disposal when I assemble the wines

An unique micro-climate :

•  The land parcels vary in altitude from 150 - 250 m (495 - 820 ft). That they're so close to the Larzac means that day and night time temperatures vary enormously : up to 20°C (68°F) in summer. This means the grapes mature slowly and the wines develop finesse, freshness and complexity.

•  This micro-climate protects us from vine weevils, so we need use no insecticides,

•  The vines are separated from each other by woods, olive groves or heath land. The constant wind means that the vines dry faster after rain. These are factors which keep diseases at bay.

The terroir only gives of its best if it's cultivated in such a way as to enhance and sustain it

•  We prune hard and remove all young unwanted grape bunches so as to obtain low yields : from 10 - 40 hl/ha, well within the maximum (45 hl/ha) allowed in the Terrasses du Larzac appellation.

•  We never use weed killers or synthetic fertilizers : we plough and use organic treatments (composted manure, grape sediment, crushed vine shoots .) which means a living soil which in turn means better nourished vines.

•  We train the vines along high wires to encourage leaf development. After all, it's the leaves that feed the grapes !

•  We harvest by hand so that we can select the best grapes and ensure they're undamaged