Vineyard management philosophy: sustainable agriculture.

In our management practices both in the vineyard and in the cellar,we are always guided by criteria reflecting responsibility towards both the environment and human health. We are careful to follow the best methods currently available and those with the least impact on health and environment.

In the vineyard, we strive to maintain a balance that is as natural as possible, so that human interventions are minimal and non-invasive. For example, we allow grass to grow between the vine-rows, which means that we do not have to disturb the soil or use herbicides.
Thus we preserve a better balance of the soil’s components, minimise exposure to erosion and ensure favourable water reserves in the soil, and the grass will dry naturally during the hot season.

In addition, we encourage the local microfauna, for instance, earth-worms, hedgehogs, ladybugs, etc., since they contribute to good soil quality and to biological control of certain vine pests. Only when it is absolutely necessary do we use treatments for combating certain vine diseases; we always use in minimal doses, and only those substances that will not negatively impact the environment, but biodegrade automatically and quickly.

Careful management of the grapevine is crucial too, since if the vine is in balance, and not subject to useless stress (which over-cropping or under-cropping can produce), it can better tolerate some pests and other adverse conditions.

Lengthy experience is required, however, particularly of the local climate, to understand exactly when to intervene in order to encourage this delicate equilibrium.