Conversion to organic farming
Our vineyard has always been run with respect for people (customers, suppliers, employees), the environment and the terroir.
In a process of continuous progress, for several years we have equipped ourselves with new equipment, we have started to work the “cavaillons” again and gradually eliminated weed killers.
We have already come a long way, and after many discussions with our team, we have decided to go into organic conversion from the beginning of August 2019.
In order to continue to offer affordable wines, we need to work on two levers:
- limit the increase in costs of cultivation methods that are higher in organic farming (work time, investment in equipment)
- ensure that the agronomic yields are as close as possible to those we used to achieve
During this team discussion, the following critical points were identified:
- control of grass under the row
- management of fungal diseases: mildew, powdery mildew, black rot, grey rot
- basic manuring, maintenance manuring
To meet the challenge, we invested in a new tractor, a second set of inter-row blades + crumbling discs and an additional sprayer.
The team was very involved in making this first year a success and everyone has a new outlook on their work, which is a great satisfaction at the start.
Our first full season in organic conversion went well, the yield of our 2020 vintage is satisfactory and the quality is top notch despite a complicated season: very rainy spring, drought in summer.
The additional costs are certainly significant (management of grass, manure, disease pressure), but remain under control.
The 2020 and 2021 vintages will be labelled with the mention “product in conversion to organic farming”, 2022 will be the first vintage certified “AB”.
To find out more: what is an organic wine?
Conclusion: “If organic farming were easy, people would know about it, and all farmers would be organic”.
Article written on 14 November 2020