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 |