The Sauternes vineyard

The vine as we know it today as a grape-producing plant, Vitis vinifera, is first and foremost a sarmentous vine that has been tamed by pruning in order to strike a balance between yield and quality.

The vine's root system generally remains within the first two metres of soil. However, in exceptional situations, roots can be found 8-10 m below the surface.

After 3/4 years, the vines reach maturity and produce an interesting crop, so you can harvest many grapes from your vine.

The story goes that during a winter tour of the monasteries, Martin of Tours fell asleep in the vineyards after tying his donkey to a stake. The donkey took the opportunity to graze on the shoots, which sprang abundantly from the vines, which had previously been left fallow.

Devant les pieds ratiboisés, Saint-Martin n’a pu que s’excuser auprès des moines exploitant les vignes pour les dégâts occasionnés.

Mais « quel ne fut pas l'étonnement des moines, quand à l'heure des vendanges, ils récoltèrent sur les vignes taillées par l'âne de nombreuses et grosses grappes de raisin, juteuses et sucrées », si différentes des habituelles « petites grappes acides qui donnaient un petit vin aigrelet »

In Sauternes, there are generally 5500 vines per hectare.

One glass of Sauternes requires one vine !

Planted by Joseph DAVID in 1978, this vineyard produces excellent grapes that can reach very high sugar levels.

The vines have been pruned during the winter, leaving wounds, with the sap rising and spiking at the end of the pruning.

Each bunch will bear between 100 and 200 flowers.
Unlike other flowers, which open in a corolla, grapevine flowers are unique in that they open from below. The floral cap is detached at the base to reveal the reproductive organs.

The flower festival is very important in Bordeaux. From the moment the vine is in flower, the wine grower can have an idea of the yield he will be able to make for the year.