Young berries	Merlot	Muscat	Chardonnay	Sauv. Blanc
Merlot	Grenache	Cab. Sauv.	Syrah	Baby Mouvedre

New Plantation Project 2005 - 2007.

Map of vineyards with colour coded varieties

Vineyard Pictures

Vineyards: General

The total surface area of Domaine de Sainte Rose is 50 hectares. The vineyards cover a total of 48 hectares, (118 acres), with planted vineyards amounting to 33 hectares, (80 acres).  The vineyards spread from the clay/limestone soils found along the banks of the River Thongue up onto the gravelly schist soils of the plateau.  The terroir is all classified as Vin de Pays (VDP) and this is reflected in the grape varieties grown.  Due to the situation of the Domaine beside the River Thongue, wine produced can be classified as either Vin de Pays d’Oc or Vin de Pays des Cotes de Thongue.

Two thousand and three was the first year in which we were responsible for pruning the vines. With our sights firmly set on the future we made the decision to prune much more severely than the previous owner of the Domaine. The reason for this was purely qualitative as we wanted to greatly reduce the yield in order to intensify the concentration of the fruit. The previous owner had been pushing the vines to produce very high yields.

We also changed the style of pruning, according to the different grape varieties found in the vineyard. For example we changed the Merlot vines from ‘Guyot’ (one main branch on the vine) to ‘Cordon Royat’ (two branches, one on either side of the main root).

Other improvements in the vineyard include upgrading of all the trellising (posts and wires). The wires now used are made of a highly flexible plastic, called Deltex, which allows better support and control of the canopy as the vine grows. The wires are lifted as the vine grows and allow greater aeration of the developing bunches and more exposure to sunlight, thus creating a more homogenous maturity cycle and less risk of rot setting in if there is a wet vintage.

Weed control is also an essential part of farming the vines. At Domaine de Sainte Rose we have gradually reduced the use of herbicide thus weed control in between the vines is achieved using a piece of equipment called an ‘Interceptor’, which breaks down the weeds in a much more environmentally friendly fashion. In an attempt to retain organic material in the soil the space between the rows of vines tends to be mowed rather than ploughed. This grass also provides the vines on the deep-soiled, riverside area of the Domaine with some healthy competition and prevents the vines from growing too vigorously.

The Simpsons have pulled up a total of 18 hectares and have committed to replant ten hectares in the following five year period, thus increasing the range of varieties grown on the Domaine.  They started this process in 2005, planting Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat (Petit Graines).  They completed the process in 2007 planting Petit Verdot, Mourvedre, Marsanne and more Syrah.

Control of the grape yield is important to ensure high quality, concentrated fruit.  There are several ways to achieve this, starting with the variety specific pruning that has already been addressed.  When the growing season begins the next step in controlling the yield is the process of ‘ébourgeonnage’ or ‘de-budding’.  This process reduces the number of bunches that develop on each vine.  Later in the growing season if there are still too many bunches of grapes on the vine to allow proper maturity and concentration the vines will need to be green harvested.  This involves cutting the excess bunches of grapes from the vine to allow those bunches that remain to reach full maturity.  Yields generally range between 35 and 60 hectolitres per hectare.  These figures contrast significantly with the VDP terroir maximum of 80 hectolitres per hectare. The Domaine de Sainte Rose figures are therefore much lower than the average yields taken in the area.

The Simpsons have a full time farm manager (Marc De Fays) and a well-respected local Viticultural Consultant who advises and directs the work in the vines. For the large, labour-intensive tasks such as pruning and ébourgeonnage a viticultural team of workers are contracted for a set period.
 

Varieties of Domaine Sainte Rose:

More Information:

Vineyard Pictures

French Classification System Explained

Languedoc Reputation