The precision
The constant control of the quality of our grapes has always been for us a real quest for excellence. Each year is a real beginning where we stop looking for how to achieve the best. All our practices are resolutely oriented towards obtaining healthy, ripe, balanced grapes in order to express the very essence of the terroir. The sensitivity of each grape variety will bring a particular singularity through a deep aromatic expression.
The precision
The constant control of the quality of our grapes has always been for us a real quest for excellence. Each year is a real beginning where we stop looking for how to achieve the best. All our practices are resolutely oriented towards obtaining healthy, ripe, balanced grapes in order to express the very essence of the terroir. The sensitivity of each grape variety will bring a particular singularity through a deep aromatic expression.
Symbiosis with nature
The harmony between the vines and nature is reflected in a rich biodiversity; both at the soil level and at the level of the species found there. The floors are covered with various plant cover. Natural or real agronomic cover, they provide a multitude of benefits that are often overlooked. It is really nice to be surrounded by greenery and teeming insects from every corner !
This cover promotes competition on the surface, which will force the vine to go down deep in search of all the splendor of the terroir. Each stage is dictated by the weather and punctuated by the lunar affluence. Plowing is prohibited because it causes disasters in terms of anaerobic fauna. It is rather necessary to concentrate on the observation of the plant to minimize the interventions.
Plant protection
You have to get up at dawn to infuse the nettles harvested on the edge of the forest the day before. Little by little the stimulants of the nettle migrate into the herbal tea enriched with horsetail, wicker, chamomile...
The whole is incorporated into the mixture of copper and natural sulphur. Pine or orange peel oils are added to reduce the use of copper and sulfur as much as possible. Generally around 5 a.m., when the humidity is optimal, the time has come to start the tractor to spray the vines with this white mixture. The recovery panels that we purchased in 2018 make it possible to recover a large part diffused in the air to reinject it into the tank. This allows us to limit losses (soil, air) by reducing doses by up to 80% at the start of the period. The whole allowing to evolve in a stable and sustainable environment.
Plant protection
You have to get up at dawn to infuse the nettles harvested on the edge of the forest the day before. Little by little the stimulants of the nettle migrate into the herbal tea enriched with horsetail, wicker, chamomile...
The whole is incorporated into the mixture of copper and natural sulphur. Pine or orange peel oils are added to reduce the use of copper and sulfur as much as possible. Generally around 5 a.m., when the humidity is optimal, the time has come to start the tractor to spray the vines with this white mixture. The recovery panels that we purchased in 2018 make it possible to recover a large part diffused in the air to reinject it into the tank. This allows us to limit losses (soil, air) by reducing doses by up to 80% at the start of the period. The whole allowing to evolve in a stable and sustainable environment.
A timeless garden
The durability of the stumps is disputed by the mechanical work of the cavaillon, the death of old stumps and the attack of wood diseases. To remedy this, we plant all the plots of the estate every year. Pruning that respects sap flows is a technique that we put in place to limit wood diseases. The re-grafting, the curettage and the coppicing allow us to preserve our vines longer. The root part of these vines being more developed, the expression of the terroir is more.
We select at harvest from our oldest plots of massal selection in order to recover the wood for our complants and regrafting. This operation will multiply the genetic and aromatic diversity of the plots. Unlike clonal selections, these selections favor the adaptation of the plant to the climate, to diseases... Thanks to all these practices, our oldest plots planted just after the war provide us with incomparable grapes.
A timeless garden
The durability of the stumps is disputed by the mechanical work of the cavaillon, the death of old stumps and the attack of wood diseases. To remedy this, we plant all the plots of the estate every year. Pruning that respects sap flows is a technique that we put in place to limit wood diseases. The re-grafting, the curettage and the coppicing allow us to preserve our vines longer. The root part of these vines being more developed, the expression of the terroir is more.
We select at harvest from our oldest plots of massal selection in order to recover the wood for our complants and regrafting. This operation will multiply the genetic and aromatic diversity of the plots. Unlike clonal selections, these selections favor the adaptation of the plant to the climate, to diseases... Thanks to all these practices, our oldest plots planted just after the war provide us with incomparable grapes.
The selection
The vine, by its creeping characteristics, will constantly seek to lengthen. The pruning period marks the beginning of the selections. We control the yield, in order to obtain more concentrated grapes. This selection continues in May when we split, thin out all the plots intended to produce great wines. In July-August, we carry out a green harvest, in order to control the number of grapes. Indeed, some plants can be doubly or even triple fruitful from one year to the next.
The selection
The vine, by its creeping characteristics, will constantly seek to lengthen. The pruning period marks the beginning of the selections. We control the yield, in order to obtain more concentrated grapes. This selection continues in May when we split, thin out all the plots intended to produce great wines. In July-August, we carry out a green harvest, in order to control the number of grapes. Indeed, some plants can be doubly or even triple fruitful from one year to the next.
Harvest time
Once the berries are well colored, the maturity checks begin. The lunar influences as well as the weather play on the intense rhythm of the harvest days. All the grapes are harvested with care by our pickers. Cathy will take care of sorting the morning harvest on the plot in order to obtain the healthiest harvest possible. Finally, the bottiches arrive at the cellar to be emptied into the pneumatic press. The long and soft pressing will allow to extract only the most qualitative juices which will flow directly into the cellar of 1253.
The journey in the cellar
The bubbly sound of the stainless steel vats enchants the place. Temperature regulation makes it possible to manage yeast activity to limit deviations. In this sense, stainless steel vats also promote sulphur-free cleaning and production. Once fermentation is complete, the wines are sulphited and aged for many months. Some wines are then racked to refine in French oak barrels. The walls of the former convent make it possible to keep the natural freshness conducive to breeding. The wines remain on the lees until the last days before bottling, in order to protect them and refine the last subtle notes. All operations are dictated by the lunar calendar depending on the type of wine sought.
The journey in the cellar
The bubbly sound of the stainless steel vats enchants the place. Temperature regulation makes it possible to manage yeast activity to limit deviations. In this sense, stainless steel vats also promote sulphur-free cleaning and production. Once fermentation is complete, the wines are sulphited and aged for many months. Some wines are then racked to refine in French oak barrels. The walls of the former convent make it possible to keep the natural freshness conducive to breeding. The wines remain on the lees until the last days before bottling, in order to protect them and refine the last subtle notes. All operations are dictated by the lunar calendar depending on the type of wine sought.
To the rhythm of the moon, the tides, the constellations
It was in our garden that we experienced the different lunar aspects. The differences are glaring! Thanks to the good positioning of a practice, the vine receives a different message from a following phase. For example, in waxing moon the vitality of plants increases. It is during this lunar phase that we will harvest the nettles. The days of fruits, flowers, roots, leaves (the moment when the Moon is in front of its own constellation) induce different information to the plant. The consequences related to these constellations are very vast; leaf pruning, regrowth of vegetative organs, storage, etc.
La Conservation
We pay particular attention to the preservation of our wines. As corking is a crucial point, we have opted for the most ecological and product-friendly solutions. Our Magnums and the finest cuvées are corked with natural cork from Portugal. For other cuvées, we use highly obstructive agglomerated corks. These have no organoleptic deviations, so they respect the product.
To the rhythm of the moon, the tides, the constellations
It was in our garden that we experienced the different lunar aspects. The differences are glaring! Thanks to the good positioning of a practice, the vine receives a different message from a following phase. For example, in waxing moon the vitality of plants increases. It is during this lunar phase that we will harvest the nettles. The days of fruits, flowers, roots, leaves (the moment when the Moon is in front of its own constellation) induce different information to the plant. The consequences related to these constellations are very vast; leaf pruning, regrowth of vegetative organs, storage, etc.
La Conservation
We pay particular attention to the preservation of our wines. As corking is a crucial point, we have opted for the most ecological and product-friendly solutions. Our Magnums and the finest cuvées are corked with natural cork from Portugal. For other cuvées, we use highly obstructive agglomerated corks. These have no organoleptic deviations, so they respect the product.
3 Rue de la Chapelle, 68360 Soultz-Haut-Rhin
Contact
Schedule
Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekends by appointment
