Savoir-faire
PRUNING
It takes place during the cold season, where outdoor work is often invigorating. This task is essential for achieving a high-quality harvest. It involves cutting the canes (stems) to shape the vines and selecting the "bearers." These "bearers" are intended to carry the grapes.
By applying the "Cordon de Royat" method, we prune, leaving 6 bearers per vine, each with 2 buds. Laurent performs the pruning manually using an electric pruner.
DEBUDDING
This process removes non-fruit-bearing shoots from the vine, promoting the development of the parts we want to preserve.
It helps improve airflow around the grape clusters and enhances the effectiveness of treatments, thus better nourishing the grapes. This debudding is done manually in May/June.
GRASS COVERING
This technique is an alternative to soil tilling and prevents land erosion. It also improves the tractor's traction. The process involves leaving the grass while controlling its growth through mowing. Laurent Bellion practices this on all his plots, one row out of four, and in more vigorous plots, one row out of two, which helps limit vine vigor.
This step is done mechanically using a mower, with three passes during the year.
GREEN HARVESTING
Green harvesting involves removing a portion of the grape clusters before they ripen. This method limits yield to enhance the quality of the remaining grapes. By focusing nutrients on fewer clusters, the grapes become richer and better balanced.
This task is usually done by hand in June or July.
LEAF THINNING
Leaf thinning involves removing some of the leaves around the grape clusters to improve their sun exposure and ventilation. This technique helps prevent diseases and optimizes grape ripening.
Elle est souvent pratiquée en début d’été, avant la véraison.
TOPPING OR SHOOT TRIMMING
Using a topping machine, this technique cuts the shoots while they are still growing. It limits vine growth and makes it easier for the tractor to pass through.
Topping is performed mechanically.
THE HARVEST
This is the time to gather the grapes, when the year's work comes to fruition.
The harvest takes place from September until mid-October, depending on the year. Half are done by hand with a team of 8 people, and the other half by machine.
INTER-ROW WORK
Using a harrow, this work is carried out from October to May. It involves loosening the soil to facilitate the penetration of rain and the essential nutrients needed for the vines. This operation is performed mechanically.
ROW WORK
The grass in the inter-row, the area between the vine stumps where the tractor passes, is cut using a weeder. This work reduces the spread of grass, thus preventing nutrient competition with the vines and keeping the plot accessible and tidy.
