Biodynamic farming

Hedges, woods and ditches are carefully preserved: the vines burned in the devastating 2001 fire were replaced with pines, olive trees and other local species. This strategic choice maintains rich biodiversity, creating a natural balance beneficial to the vine. In total, nearly 10,000 specimens including 450 olive trees have been planted across the La Bastide Blanche vineyard.

Since 2010, plantings are carried out by first establishing the rootstocks alone (R110). Two to three years later, grafting is done in place with massal-selection plants. Bank edges and the foot of the dry-stone terraces, where the soil is far poorer, are treated differently, with a suitable rootstock (Rupestris).

Mechanical soil work is carried out as often as possible on root days and a descending moon; horn-manure application also on a descending moon. While respecting fruit days for the harvest is far more difficult, bottling is always done on a fruit day. Adapting is the watchword.

Horn manure and whey to regenerate the soils and encourage bacterial life. Herbal teas to improve vineyard protection, mainly horsetail, nettle, comfrey and valerian. Copper use is thus reduced, the vines are more resilient, and the wines' pH gains 0.4 point to reach 3.4. The impact on the wines becomes notable.