As we move into August the days are beginning to get noticeably shorter.  The vines notice this too and start putting all of their energies into ripening the fruit.  As you can see the colour change is now almost complete in the Cru Vinsobres Syrah and the sugars are starting to accumulate in the grapes.  At the same time the acid level in the grapes is falling and the tannins in the skins are becoming softer.  The weather has been kind this year and whilst we are not safe until the grapes are … [Read more...]

We have only had 1cm of rain since the beginning of June.  Whilst the vines with their deep roots are still finding water they would appreciate a good storm to give them a drink.  We got quite excited yesterday afternoon as it clouded over and drops began to fall from the sky.  Unfortunately it stopped as quickly as it started and in the end we had less than a 1mm.  It has been cooler generally this week and the night time temperatures have been lower, but it looks like we are in for a very hot … [Read more...]

The grapes are beginning to change colour from their camouflaged green to dark red and black, in French this process is known as "véraison".  It is interesting that the process does not progress uniformly with different vines, different bunches and different grapes all proceeding at their own pace.  Meanwhile the hot dry weather continues.  We had a little rain on Wednesday evening as we were glanced by a storm, but it was only enough to dampen down the dust, not much more.  You can see in the … [Read more...]

As you will have seen from this website, normally we look out over the Mont Ventoux, but yesterday instead we had this lovely view over the Mont Blanc.  I must say that after a month of the daytime temperatures being well over 30° and the nights well over 20° it was very nice to feel cool again - even if only for one night.  Meanwhile back at the vineyard it has been 37° for the last few days. This July has been exceptionally hot and at the moment it is well on track to be the hottest July on … [Read more...]

Thanks to everyone who came along last night to taste our wines and make it such an enjoyable evening.  It's great in the middle of sleepy little Vinsobres to meet people from all over the world to taste and talk wine.  If you missed it last night then remember that the next Nuit Divinique is on 6 August from 7pm in the centre of Vinsobres. If you are planning to come up and visit us this weekend please remember that because of the Montée Historique on Sunday 19th July the road up from … [Read more...]

The current work in the vines is leaf removal or "effeuillage".  The purpose of this is to remove the leaves around the bunches of developing grapes.  This lets in the sunlight which helps the berries mature and also allows good air circulation and reduces humidity which will help maintain the health of the grapes.  I have put a couple of before and after pictures below.  At about 6am yesterday as I was preparing to go out and get started on the leaf removal I quietly pushed open the boot room … [Read more...]

On Thursday 16 July we will be participating in the first of two Nuit Divinique in the village this summer, where you can taste our wines and those of other Vinsobres producers. So, if you are in the area do please come along and join us in the centre of Vinsobres from 7pm. … [Read more...]

Regular readers will know that one of the things we love most about the landscape here is the variety, with a mixture of oak and pine woods, vines, lavender and wheat.  We don't get many sunflowers here, but it makes it all the more special when we do get the odd field and this beautiful field is just over the road from our vines. … [Read more...]

Yesterday we hosted the first of two wine and charcuterie matching evenings where we pair our wines with fantastic local charcuterie from our friend Lucien in Nyons market.  These have been very popular and really enjoyed by everyone.  The next is on 22 July at 18.00hrs and if you want to sign up you can contact us directly or do so through the Tourist Office in Nyons or Vinsobres.  If you are in the area on the 22nd it would be lovely to see you. … [Read more...]

Like much of Europe we have had no respite from the heat for the last few days.  Whilst the hot days are not unusual for July, it has also been very warm at night (no lower than 22°), which is less usual, particularly here at 400m.  Work in the vines continues, but is restricted to a few hours in the early morning.  We are now beginning "effeuillage" - this involves the removal of leaves around the bunches of developing grapes to ensure that they are exposed to the sun and have a good … [Read more...]

When like today the temperature outside is in the mid-30s we tend to give up working in the vines by mid-morning and in the afternoon I seek out jobs in the cool of the winery.  I also think that it's quite cool in the other sense! Here are a few photos showing the cuves containing the 2014 wines. The Côtes du Rhône - Terra Firma is in the large concrete tank.  The Vinsobres is in the stainless steel tanks.  At the moment the Grenache and Syrah are still separate, but they will be blended soon … [Read more...]