An organic domain
Located in the heart of the AOC Costières de Nîmes vineyard, Château Vessière chose organic in 2009. The winemaker, Vincent Teulon, explains why.
Conversion
We have been a family estate for seven generations and I believe that everyone must make their contribution. However, for me it seemed obvious that we should evolve towards farming practices that are more respectful of nature and therefore of the environment in which I work. In a way, it was initially a personal approach which subsequently had beneficial consequences in terms of wine style and commercial opportunities. The transition to organic has been slow because it is not easy to convert 60 hectares of vines. The process started in 2009, we obtained certification in 2013.
Changes
Organic means more intervention and care, which required equipping ourselves with griffins, hoeing machines and intervines as well as recruiting an additional worker in high season. We also had to adopt natural treatments for the vines such as Bordeaux mixture or wettable sulfur and resort to mating disruption to fight against the grape worm, neighbors even began to imitate us! Furthermore, we are moving more and more towards biodynamic practices. For example, we use sweet orange essential oils, fennel oil or clay to limit doses of sulfur and copper. Result of our efforts: we see dragonflies and ladybugs reappearing, signs that are unmistakable!
Vincent Teulon’s pairing
Half Syrah, half Grenache Noir, our Château Vessière cuvée bears the imprint of the estate, made of roundness, suppleness and freshness. It will ideally accompany a parsley ham, a roast with porcini mushrooms or a beef with olives.
[Edit 2019: the estate is also committed to biodynamics, controlled and supported by the Demeter organization]