What is agroecology?

Our studies in ecology encourage us to look for the best ways of preserving the environment and the terroir, while keeping the vines healthy.

We avoid doing reductionnism and we attempt to have a holistic approach. We consider the complexity of the whole system and we work on a many levers simultaneously instead of looking for a unique solution to an issue.

Agroecology give us a global vision, which takes into account all the dimensions of the whole system: agricultural, agronomic, environmental, oenological, socio-economic, health, ...

You can read a fuller definition of this concept on the dictionary of agroecology edited by the french institute of agronomic research (INRAE): dicoAE.

 

Quality Labels?

We decided not to confine in national or European specifications which do not consider the diversity of the terroirs and their own characteristics. Do you believe that we can take care of our vines and protect the environment the same way in Bordeaux, Alsace, Italy or Roquetaillade?

We think we have to question ourselves systematically. Each year differs from the previous one and need to be considered in a different way. All our practices should not be taken for granted, so we discuss a lot with other wine-growers, we continuously do many tests, and we keep ourselves informed of the technical advances and developments in scientific knowledge.

All our practices are regularly checked by an independent body which deliver the HEV certification (High Environmental Value).

 

What are we actually doing?

Here is a non-exaustive list of actions we are setting up. These practices are all interconnected: they must be considered in a whole scheme that will, in short-term or long-term, allows to achieve our objectives.

Agroecological objective
Actions
Rebuild ecological corridors and avoid habitat fragmentation Restoration and maintenance of hedges
Limit flows to nearby ecosystems Maintenance of grass strips and hedges on the edge of each vineyard

Preserve biodiversity

Conservation and restoration of a diversity of habitat in the landscape: forests, meadows, wetlands...

Installation of refuges for wildlife (chiropterans, coleopters, arachnids, reptiles, ...)

Maintenance of a natural grassing at least between half of the rows.

Reintroduction of diversity in each grape variety ("massal selection", variety conservatoire).

Limit soil erosion

Natural and semi-natural grassing between the rows

Maintenance of hedges

Restore a more diverse and local flora No use of herbicides
Reduce the amount of phytosanitary products

Monitoring of the life cycle of pathogens and auxiliaries

Use of epidemiologic models that predict pest attacks

Use of biocontrols (pheromone traps, plant defense stimulators)

Monitoring of natural enemies (Chiroptera, Acari, Arachnids, Coleoptera, Chrysopidae, ...)

Reduce organic pollution

No massive inputs of fertiliser

Semis de plantes en inter-rangs servant d'engrais verts

Réduire les risques en terme de santé humaine

Aucune utilisation de produit classés CMR (Cancérigène Mutagène Reprotoxique)

Réduction des intrants

Aucun intrant non-biologique dans les vins (à l'exception des sulfites, dont l'apport est très réduit)

Préserver l'écosystème sol

Limiter le travail mécanique du sol

Réduction des intrants

Eviter le passage de tracteur dans toutes les rangées (limiter le tassement)

 

Allonger la durée de vie des vignes et lutter contre les maladies du bois

Greffage en place

Test de méthodes de taille alternatives

Curetage du bois mort

Remplacement des manquants

Recépage des ceps de vigne atteints de maladies du bois

Changement de politique énergétique

Construction d'un puit canadien afin de réguler la température du chai

Mise en place de panneaux photovoltaïques

Limiter les passages de tracteur

Eviter l'excès d'utilisation du chauffage et de la climatisation des chais