Ups and Downs at Les Vins Contés.

by Cécile Lemasson, October 5th, 2012

Following winter's frost, April's frost, June's rain and summer's mildew, our harvest started under a radiant sun on September 17th. We started with ripe Sauvignon. The yield: 8 hectoliters (compared to 40 last year from the exact same parcel!).

Our fears are confirmed. Every day, we're harvesting very small quantities of grapes, but at least it's nice out! Still, we struggle filling up our buckets...

And then, a good surprise with the Pineau D'Aunis! Beautiful clusters in abundance! We can hardly believe it, but we don't have enough cases! During the 40 kilometer drive from the vines to the cellar, the harvesters have already refilled their buckets. With no other choice, we had to turn to plan D, law out a big blanket in a ditch, fill it up with grapes and keep harvesting!



But that day was the exception. For the rest it's rather: really low yields and a lot of sorting… We barely have any Gamay this year, and still have to harvest the côt and chenin.

Also, every year Les Vins Contés organizes a day of harvesting with local children. This year, 50 kids from our daughter Mila's school (all 7 years old) came to help us out!