The special characteristic of the sub-soil of the Champagne region is that is composed of chalk.
This chalk allows the three grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay) to mature perfectly and bring so much elegance and delicacy to the Champagne.

PRUNING – (November/March)

The vine is like a creeper, the branches need to be cut to control the yields. It determines the vigour, the fertility and the maturity of the vine and of the grape. Made by hand, this step is long and regulated.

TYING (March/April)

This step consists in tying the canes to a wire.

DISBUDDING (May)

This step consists in removing non-fruit bearing buds present in the old structures and root-stocks.

WIRE LIFTING & TRELLISING – (June)

The vine-shoots already reach 60 cm long. Wire lifting consists in lifting the sprigs and keep them upright thanks to the lifting wires. This allows to avoid the vine growing disorderly and above all, to make the actions of men and straddler-tractors easier.

Trellising consists in separating the shoots of each root-stocks with a staple to allow a better aeration and photosynthesis of the foliage in order to facilitate treatments against cryptogamic diseases of the vine.

TRIMMING –  (July/August)

It is the summer pruning. It is made by hand and with machine (3 to 4 times a year) to avoid plants being predominant over fruits.

PLANT PROTECTION TREATMENTS

Once the first shelves appear, we need to protect the vine against diseases (mildew, powdery mildew and grey mould). Today, our treatment approach is more integrated and is based on scientific data. We are using more biocontrolled products (all the methods used to protect the plants and utilising natural mechanisms. Our approach protects the plants by using mechanisms and interactions governing relationships between the species in their natural environment). We do not use insecticides any more, we use devices called R.A.K. to eradicate grape berry moth. They are capsules containing male pheromones. These pheromones disturb the female butterfly fertilisation.

.