Our vision
of agroecology

Viticulture isn’t protected from the threats which affect the relationship between Man and nature. In the face of environmental pressure, Cheval Blanc has committed itself to agroecology, an agricultural movement which aims to stimulate the natural fertility of the soil by replicating nature’s cycles.

For Cheval Blanc, we can summarise agroecology as follows: agriculture which respects ecology. Agriculture which is based on conservation rather than reparation. Through this approach, which has been tailored by and for our domain, we hope to bring concrete solutions to the environmental problems which are affecting us all.

Cheval Blanc initiated this approach a few years ago and it is gaining momentum at the heart of the domain through polyculture and vegetal cover. We don’t work our living soils and they are naturally rich in organic matter which promotes better absorption of carbon. Several thousand fruit and forest trees flourish on the domain. Hedges and water sources maintain diversity and our vegetable and aromatic plant gardens, together with our beehives, enrich our natural heritage. Through each new project, with our feet firmly planted in our land and our era, we reconnect with our roots.

Our Manifesto

Agriculture is at a turning point in its history. Climate change and the breakdown of biodiversity are the most emblematic manifestations of the problems currently affecting our planet.

In the face of this environmental emergency, Château Cheval Blanc wanted to address the matter and, in 2021, published a Manifesto advocating a sustainable and virtuous agricultural model. Through this firm stance we hope to drive better viticultural practices with an agroecological model which will inspire other winegrowers concerned with preserving the precious pact between man and earth.

‘Because the future is decided and shaped today, Cheval Blanc is committed to this next step which is imbedded in our values of excellence and our desire to keep progressing.’

download Download Manifesto Chateau Cheval Blanc

The pillars of our agroecology

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The discontinuation of ploughing

The challenge we are presented with from now on is immense: the reduction of CO2 emissions concerns the whole of humanity. The role of soil is essential to dealing with this challenge.

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A major tool to fight pollution and rising temperatures, whilst also improving the fertility of our land and crop production, is to increase and stock the amount of carbon found in agricultural soils.

We advocate viticulture on living soils; keeping them covered. Plants sewn between the rows of vines grow and produce green fertiliser. This layer of vegetal debris offers several other advantages too: the natural mulch forms a layer in the row which retains water, keeps the soil moist and protects against drought. In addition, this organic matter prevents the erosion which uncovered soil is prone to: a living soil is stable and does not erode.

Enriched and strengthened in this way, our soils can trap more of the atmospheric carbon. Thanks to this virtuous circle, the carbon contributes to the fertility of our vineyard.

‘A living soil is stable and does not erode.’

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Réseau de galeries de vers de terre permettant d’enfouir en profondeur la matière organique.

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radis blanc, crucifère

seigle forestier, graminée

trèfle incarnat, légumineuse

moutarde blanche, crucifère

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Agroforestry

Agroforestry is the integration of trees in the heart of farmland and replicates the natural order found in forests for thousands of years. When practiced in the vineyards, it helps to improve the fertility of the soil.

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We have planted three thousand forest and fruit trees throughout the domain, around the plots but also within them, into the rows. Their organic matter (wood, leaves, broken branches) and their root systems stimulate life in the soil and increase its fertility naturally without the need for outside intervention. During dry periods, the crops interact with the trees and can easily draw nourishment from their nutrients.

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Polyculture

Particularly problematic in the world of wine, monoculture has demonstrated its limits. Ploughing and the use of weed killers have impoverished the soils whilst fertilisers and pesticides have permanently weakened them.

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In order to stimulate the return of life to its vineyards, Cheval Blanc has undertaken a vast programme of tree and hedge planting. Their branches, leaves and trunks provide a wealth of facilities for birds and insects: a home, shelter and passageways. Some of the fruit, intentionally left unpicked, provides them with food.

Animal rearing has returned to the heart of our vineyards to support to our viticultural practices. From October to March, ewes graze amongst the vines. This sustainable pastoralism stimulates the plants they graze on and fertilises the ground as they move through. Other animals have come to our domain and now share our life at the Château.

Orchards, vegetable plots, flower gardens and aromatic plants along with many beehives also contribute to the development of biodiversity within the domain.

 

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Expert opinion

Discover our videos on agroecology

To find out more about agroecology and its application at Cheval Blanc, read the comments from Pierre-Olivier Clouet, Nicolas Corporandy, Juliette Combe, Marc-André Sélosse, Konrad Schreiber et Alain Canet on our Youtube page.

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