While the “Chaussage” was done in December and January, but we had not had the time to publish it.  We plough the earth on the vine stumps to better protect them from frosts and making furrows between each row to channel the flow of waters.  In March, we will plough back the soil away from the vine or déchaussage. 

The vines of Beaucastel after the chaussage

 

Each year, we have to maintain the stakes in our plot of syrah.  The Stakes are made of wood and we need to replace them after about 20-25 years. 

 

Working on the trellis at the syrah at Beaucastel
 

Before spring, the vineyards are trimmed.  This operation is done completely to the hand, it is a high-labor activity cosuming much of our personnel who cover an average a hectare in 4 days.  The Majority of our vines are grown in “goblet”, a traditional method, free standing vine, sometimes supported with a stake, which is characteristic of the rhône south, and it is particularly adapted to our dry climate.  Our Syrah are the only varietal that we have on trellis and in the “guyot” method

The pruning of our Grenache of our  Perrin Réserve

The branches are then burnt
 

At Beaucastel, we have practised organic viticulture for more than 40 years.  When we are have to pull out vines, we leave the earth to rest for 6 years before replantating.  During these six years, instead of using chemicals to rejuvenate the soil, we rotate a crop of cereals on the land before the replantation, refreshing its balance and clearing the soil for virus. This plot of 5.6 Hectares in size, situated directly in front of Beaucastel, will be transplanted this year.  We cleared the land by mowing the cereals and then ploughed the them into the soil to mail a fresh fertiliser. We will rake the ground before we finally roll it.

Raking the ground of our plot of land

and followed by rolling the ground 

And Finally, we measure and make markeing for the vine positions.