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 could just tell you we are certified HVE (High Environmental Value) and in conversion to EU Organic Label. However, it will only be a very simplistic summary of what we are really doing on the estate. No national or european label take into account the div
ersity 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.
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. Only organical and localised inputs. Use of grenn manure crops between the vine rows. |
| Reduce the risks on human health |
No use of CMR (Cancérigène Mutagène Reprotoxique) Reduce the use of inputs. No inputs in the wines, except from a slight dose of sulphite, necessary to preserve the wines in bottle. |
| Preserve the soil ecosystem |
Limit sol tillage Reduce the inputs in vineyards Avoid too much tractor passages to prevent soil compaction |
|
Extend vineyard lifespan and fight against wood diseases |
Field grafting on rootstocks Gentle pruning (sap flow) Replacement of missing plants Coppicing |
| Change our energy policy |
EAHX (Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger) regulate the temperature in the cellar Photovoltaic pannels on the roof of the cellar Avoid too much tractor passages (many tasks made by hand in the vineyards) Avoid an excessive use of heating and air conditionning in the cellar |