See
The Vine
in
Movement
"THE VINEYARDS"



The vineyards hanging over the Rhône valley south and south-east of the domain take advantage of a temperate climate in comparison to the over-heated plateau.


The various soils common to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation have allowed to select the most convenient plants( see the vine in movement ) ; this is probably a key factor to the complex nature of La Gardine's wines.

Old vine-plants are set to two thousand five hundred per 2.5 acre and new plants to four thousand (giving approx. 1100 liters per acre for red wines and 1300 liters for white wines on an average over 10 years).

Vines are old with lots of 1925.( see the vine in movement )

Red wines are made of 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre, the rest with plants (Picpoul, Terret Noir, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picardan, Cinsault ; for white wines : Grenache blanc, Roussane, Bourboulenc, Clairette) all together composing the mythical list of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

With Philippe Brunel as a composer, culture meets common practice and local customs.

Strict winter cutting. Limited treatment. Pattern culture. Organic fertilisation. Disbudding. Production is limited by cuttings in July with a selection of the best grapes( see the vine in movement ).

Thinning out leaves( see the vine in movement ) serves as a mechanical treatment against botrytis. Greatest care along the vegetative growth and close observation lead to the determination of plants ripening, an vital stage towards wine-making.