The vineyard
The vineyard of Château de la Jaubertie
The vineyard
Located on the edge of the Monbazillac appellation, our vineyard spans 42 hectares, cultivating grape varieties similar to those found in Bordeaux, while benefiting from a distinctive terroir shaped by its natural environment.
With a half-continental, half-oceanic climate, our estate enjoys dry summers, ideal for organic viticulture. However, wet spring seasons can increase the risk of mildew, requiring careful vineyard management.
Our white grape varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle, Chardonnay, and, more recently, Chenin Blanc.
For red grape varieties, we cultivate Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with two historic south-western grapes: Mérille and Fer Servadou.
- Planting density: 5,500 vines/ha for whites and 5,000 vines/ha for reds.
- Training system: All vines are vertically trellised and pruned using either laths or spurs.
- Massal selection: Since 2008, all new Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Cabernet Sauvignon vines originate from our own estate’s massal selections, while our Cabernet Franc comes from Saint-Émilion.
The grounds
Our estate is composed of three unique parcels, each offering ideal conditions for different grape varieties:
- The plateau: a prime terroir for red wines. This soil, primarily made up of bedrock lying 0.5 to 2 meters deep, features white limestone covered with reddish-brown clay. Its ability to retain moisture helps protect the vines from stress during the increasingly dry summers.
- The slopes: the perfect soil for white wines. Surrounding the plateau, the slopes and hillsides provide an exceptional terroir for white wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc. These soils contain large amounts of limestone, cut from the mother rock, and their varied sun exposure enhances the aromatic complexity of the wines.
- The shallows: ideal for rosés and certain whites. More humid and dense than the plateau and slopes, the shallows consist of grey clay soil, known as Boulbène. This composition delays grape ripening, making it well-suited for the production of elegant rosés and refined white wines.
"The entire estate has been certified for Organic Agriculture since 2008."
Organic farming
We began our transition to organic farming in 2005, and by 2008, our entire estate was certified Organic Agriculture. Our approach prioritizes natural farming methods to produce exceptional grapes while staying true to our strong environmental values.
To nurture our vineyards and protect biodiversity, we implement the following practices:
- Annual plant cover: We plant vetch, barley, fava beans, and peas to naturally enrich the soil, reducing the need for fertilizers.
- Fallow periods for soil regeneration: Plowed-up plots are left fallow for three years, with barley, phacelia, and alfalfa crops restoring soil health.
- Polliniferous plant cultivation: Growing alfalfa, sunflowers, and maize attracts bees and birds, naturally regulating insect populations on unplanted plots.
- Sexual confusion method: This eco-friendly approach helps manage pests like eudemis (Lobesia botrana) without chemical treatments.
- Preservation of local wildlife: We leave certain wooded areas untouched, allowing dead trees to decompose and foster the growth of microflora, insects, and birds.
Additionally, we are committed to sustainability by recycling all containers and waste.