BETWEEN NATURE AND SCHISTS

340 meters above the sea level, on schist and clay hillsides, in a wild and beautiful countryside, our small 12-hectare vineyards located at Faugères, is mainly planted with massal-selection Syrah as well as old Grenache noir (over 60 years old), Mourvèdre, Carignan and also Grenache blanc, Marsanne and Roussanne. Our wines blend delicacy, balance and aromatic complexity expressing the soul of the appellation.

Because of its situation on steep hillsides, the works on our vineyards are made by hand and are very demanding physically. This is precisely what makes it exciting because we are as close as possible to our plants. Also the terrain prevents the entry of machines on the plot. We don’t use pesticides and ill stumps are regularly replaced. This is no exact science and we know where our responsibility lies. We listen to Nature and respect Her by experimenting with the most adapted processes.

Both by choice and because of the terrain, the harvest is made manually. This way we can better manage the quality of the harvested grapes.

Bardi Alquier Faugeres

A HIGH AND COLOURED TERROIR

With their silky touch granted by many layers of microscopical minerals, the schists in our vineyards are mainly grey but can sometimes be black, yellow or a brownish red. The thermal range is very wide. During summer it can reach up to a 15°C difference between day and night promoting a better ripening of the fruits. The Faugères appellation is limited on its North side by a continuous band of calcareous hills up to 700 meters high and it dominates the Béziers plains stretching down to the mediteeranean sea. Sea breezes temper these climatic excesses and slow down the ripening of the berries, preserving the acidity we need to balance our wines.

A HIGH AND COLOURED TERROIR

With their silky touch granted by many layers of microscopical minerals, the schists in our vineyards are mainly grey but can sometimes be black, yellow or a brownish red. The thermal range is very wide. During summer it can reach up to a 15°C difference between day and night promoting a better ripening of the fruits. The Faugères appellation is limited on its North side by a continuous band of calcareous hills up to 700 meters high and it dominates the Béziers plains stretching down to the mediteeranean sea. Sea breezes temper these climatic excesses and slow down the ripening of the berries, preserving the acidity we need to balance our wines.

LIFE OF THE SOILS

We try to impact as little as possible the cycle and environment of our vines. During winter we leave the soils rest with a managed grass cover of varied species. In our ever changing vineyards, the young plants replace the old and tired vines. It is essential to nourish the ground with organic amendments. Then, the first plowing takes place between March and April to force the secondary roots to dig deep. To gather the elements from the alteration of the bedrock. A very sought-after singularity that reveals the taste of our terroir.

LIFE OF THE SOILS

We try to impact as little as possible the cycle and environment of our vines. During winter we leave the soils rest with a managed grass cover of varied species. In our ever changing vineyards, the young plants replace the old and tired vines. It is essential to nourish the ground with organic amendments. Then, the first plowing takes place between March and April to force the secondary roots to dig deep. To gather the elements from the alteration of the bedrock. A very sought-after singularity that reveals the taste of our terroir.

VARIETIES

The main planted variety is the Syrah, remarkably aromatic on our schists, opening on a rich and vibrant fruit when left to breathe. The Grenache noir brings delicacy and elegance. The Mourvèdre, in small quantities, will blend in the final complexity of our blends.
The white varieties- Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne- are planted on 2 hectares to produce our white Faugères-appellation wine. Finally we have a few rows of Sauvignon blanc. We also like this variety that gives an aromatic and elegant white wine, with a fine sharpness.

VARIETIES

The main planted variety is the Syrah, remarkably aromatic on our schists, opening on a rich and vibrant fruit when left to breathe. The Grenache noir brings delicacy and elegance. The Mourvèdre, in small quantities, will blend in the final complexity of our blends.
The white varieties- Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne- are planted on 2 hectares to produce our white Faugères-appellation wine. Finally we have a few rows of Sauvignon blanc. We also like this variety that gives an aromatic and elegant white wine, with a fine sharpness.

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

The plots are planted with 6400 plants/ha with high trellising in double Royat cordon. The tall wooden pickets will favour the penetration of light in the foliage, looking for the perfect ripeness of the fruits. We conduct an organic agriculture and care about its impact on the environment. We respect our terroir and limit inputs, exclusively organic, to the bare minimum to protect the plants while balancing biodiversity. The soils are worked with tillage, scratching and nourishment with granules of organic compost.
In the growth of the vineyards we also look for a form of visual esthetic, similar to a garden, considering quite simply that beautiful plants will produce fine wines. It is also more enticing to work in a beautiful framework. Finally, the care and exigences we regularly bring will allow us to harvest exceptional berries come the end of summer.

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

The plots are planted with 6400 plants/ha with high trellising in double Royat cordon. The tall wooden pickets will favour the penetration of light in the foliage, looking for the perfect ripeness of the fruits. We conduct an organic agriculture and care about its impact on the environment. We respect our terroir and limit inputs, exclusively organic, to the bare minimum to protect the plants while balancing biodiversity. The soils are worked with tillage, scratching and nourishment with granules of organic compost.
In the growth of the vineyards we also look for a form of visual esthetic, similar to a garden, considering quite simply that beautiful plants will produce fine wines. It is also more enticing to work in a beautiful framework. Finally, the care and exigences we regularly bring will allow us to harvest exceptional berries come the end of summer.