Château Tour Grise: Vineyards
Historically Philippe Gourdon cultivated up to 20 hectares of vines here, 15 hectares of Cabernet Franc and 5 hectares of Chenin Blanc. These days the vineyard is smaller, and it is rented out to a band of young growers list of the previous page. This account of the vineyards and winemaking chez Gourdon is therefore historical, a record of how Philippe worked. For detail on how the vines are managed today, my profile of Domaine Mélaric may be more informative.
Having been biodynamic since 1998 Philippe’s philosophy was clear (and naturally today he only rents to growers with the same mindset). Philippe’s approach in the vines was as we should expect, with all chemical applications replaced by tisanes and other natural treatments derived from minerals and plants, including stinging nettle and willow, in keeping with the domaine’s biodynamic status. The ground underneath and around the vines was rich in grasses and other wild plants, and any control required was achieved with the hoe.
The vines themselves were permitted to achieve their full growth potential in summer, with no trimming of the upper shoots. Philippe eschewed buttage and débuttage, the annual piling up and then removal of earth from around the vine, I suspect his main concern being the disruption to the soil structure this practice may cause.
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