THE VINEYARD BLOG
Keep up to date with all the latest news and adventures from the vineyard.
From becoming fully organic, to planting, harvesting, making and bottling. Follow the story right here.
2024 Vineyard Season Well Away – 3
2024 Vineyard Season Well Away - 3 This session looks at how the seeded rows of cereals, clovers & legumes are grown to a height and then rolled over to lay flat in the row. This is to provide moisture retention, encourage micro-organism activity and eventually...
2024 Harvest
The year was one of the most difficult on record in France and the UK for vineyards, and I suspect, for many other agricultural activities. It rained so much, so often, flowering was interrupted, mildew was rampant and it was haven for insect attacks. Farming is so...
2024 VINEYARD SEASON WELL AWAY -2
In the earlier vineyard update I touched on managing vineyard growth. Maintaining the vines in hedge-like rows ensures even sun exposure and airflow to the vines. Our rows are 2 metres wide and planted north to south allowing the vine canopy to maximise their 'solar...
2024 VINEYARD SEASON WELL AWAY -1
The year has begun with much more rain than normal making it challenging for organic farmers. We are into Spring and with 3 warm sunny days in May growth has been outstanding. It is now about protecting the vines into flowering (early June) with regular treatments for...
Stay at Château Maine Gazin?
We are often asked if people can stay at the property. The answer is yes. Marion manages the accommodation, a self contained 2 bedroom located at the Château. Stay on the right side of Château and a large office space separates us on the left. The terrace has...
Printemps – Spring in the vines
That special time of year, the pruning is done, the vines are attached to the wires, and the buds burst into fresh leaves. Each year we plant a mixture of seeds to every 2nd row to increase organic matter and nitrogen. Next month we will lay the crop down so it forms...
Harvest 2022 at Château Maine Gazin
Hello from the harvester, This is our fist year to be certified fully Organic in the vineyard and wine making. It has been a 3 year conversion period and a significant milestone for our family. 2022 was an extremely hot dry year along with the usual hazards of hail...
Bottling!
Rosé was the first wine to be bottled at the Château for the Cook family. It was made using the organic wine making process so as to learn how. Bottled under cork with a shot of nitrogen it is ready to drink....and it is not all that bad. It was reviewed by Gilbert...
2019 Harvest
Second harvest for the Cook Family and it was a big one. The vines flowered in early June and followed with a very good fruit set. It was to be a strong crop but it also meant bunch thinning (green harvest). This brings tears to your eyes seeing bunches cut away...
Maintaining the vineyard and going organic
As is the case all over the world grape vines need preventative maintenance against disease and pests. This primarily involves spraying of chemicals. The two types of mildew (fungi) require spray treatments soon after bud burst to just before the grapes change colour...