Mâcon wine-growing region, Respect, Chardonnay, Origins, Biodiversity, Terroirs, value, craftsmen, Maturity, tilling, ploughing, Heritage, master-craftsman
From north to south in the Mâcon wine-growing region, we encounter a succession of very different soils and sub-soils, orientations and landscapes that are particularly suitable for growing the Chardonnay, Gamay, and Pinot Noir grape varieties. All of these can be the starting point for wines that belong to the same appellations yet each have their own specific characteristics, which we have decided to develop in a faithful, honest way.
Some of us belong to families who have been wine-growers for several generations, others come from different origins and have made huge efforts to be able to practise this trade of which they had dreamt, while still others have decided to come back to rediscover their long-dormant family heritage. The decision to join together into an association also comes from the pleasure we derive from meeting up, from the closeness between us, and from the convivial nature of our relationships, which we are all keen to preserve.
We are all working in the same direction, the soil has been our catalyst, and from this, we all have phytosanitary protection practices focusing on the greatest respect for the environment and on preserving the diversity of the ecosystem. We all agree about continuing the practice of grape-picking by hand, to protect the grapes and for the symbolic and social value this has in our culture. Every year, all of us are aiming for optimum ripeness – and we’re prepared to take considerable risks to achieve it. To us, all these values are fundamental!
But all this does not preclude the many differences of personality that influence our working methods and the choices each person makes. Full tilling or alternation with natural grass, earlier or later ripeness, vinification and maturing in vats or casks – these are examples of practices that each of us views in our own particular way, which seems perfectly natural to us.
We are aware and proud of the good fortune we have to be able to ply this trade, and also of our role as “curators” of a unique rural heritage: landscapes, culture, know-how – and enjoyment. We have a responsibility for all this, both with respect to our contemporaries, and to those who will come after us.
Our production choices take all this into account, the small-scale aspect of our vineyards or wine-making activities means we are present everywhere, and hence in a position to guarantee all the operations of wine-growing and -making.
