It is clear that droughts and heat waves are no longer isolated events; they have become – and will remain – a permanent feature of our climate. Winters, meanwhile, no longer bring any real cold. They have become mild and wet, the kind of winters that those who work the land dislike.
This raises questions that go well beyond the uncertainties associated with any one vintage. We have to think beyond the present and consider the legacy we will leave to future generations.
What can we do to shape the future of our vineyards and the landscapes we know today?
With this consideration in mind, we have continued the work begun by Henry Pellé on massal selection. The Les Blanchais, Le Carroir and Les Cris vineyards are still planted with vines from his own selections. This plant heritage is invaluable to us: its genetic diversity enhances the complexity of our wines. The vines we plant today—and those we will plant tomorrow—are derived from these vines, using canes taken from plants chosen for their balanced yields and later ripening, helping to preserve natural acidity and freshness in the grape juices.
We have also begun planting trees and hedgerows for the shade they provide and the biodiversity they encourage. Initially planted around the edges of the vineyards, trees were soon introduced into certain rows of vines. We chose species that coexist harmoniously with the vines, including acacia, honey locust, alder and Russian olive. Their light, open canopy allows sunlight to penetrate early in the season before becoming fuller in July and August, providing increased shade when the vines need it most.
Situated at a relatively high elevation—a real asset for the future—our vineyards blend harmoniously into the diverse landscape of woods, meadows, streams and rolling hills that surround Morogues.
Driven by a desire to deepen our connection to the landscape and the place we call home, we continue these planting projects year after year.
In 2020, sheep were introduced into the vineyards. From the end of the grape harvest until early spring, a flock of around 30 sheep grazes among the vines.
The presence of animals marks a pivot to a different kind of care, encouraging us to look at the vineyard through a different lens than that of the vine alone. It also sets in motion several virtuous cycles: tractor passes can be delayed, the soil is enriched naturally, and manure from the sheepfold is turned into compost, etc.
The sheep also bring a deep sense of meaning to our daily work. Drawn by our movements as we prune the vines, they approach us with curiosity. In spring, the birth of the lambs punctuates the season and rekindles our sense of wonder. When summer arrives, small tufts of wool caught on the trellis wires quietly bear witness to their presence.
They have become an integral part of life on the estate. In May 2025, around 20 geese joined the flock.
The presence of animals is closely intertwined with the biodynamic work we have undertaken in recent years, reinforcing the distinctive qualities of our terroirs and enhancing their expression.
Preparation 500 nourishes and aerates the soil, while Preparation 501 strengthens the foliage and gives the vines a boost.
Biodynamics emphasises the importance of careful observation and the ability to recognise and respond to specific situations.
By using herbal infusions, decoctions and compost made from manure from Thierry Courcel’s neighbouring farm, we can meet the specific needs of each plot of vines while respecting its unique character.
In the future, we would like to create a vegetable patch and a garden dedicated to biodynamic plants.
The quest for self-sufficiency guides everything we do.
The planting of acacia and trees grown for timber, begun in the winter of 2024 across approximately 10 hectares, is all part of this quest. The project, implemented over the next 8-10 years, will allow us to produce our own vineyard stakes by 2040, while providing shade and grazing for the sheep.
At the same time, we are building a new agricultural building fitted with solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system. Scheduled for completion in 2026, it will make us self-sufficient in both water and electricity.
