The vineyard in spring
Planting
Planting takes place before the end of May, following a period of rest and meticulous soil preparation. The young vines will only be able to produce grapes under the Champagne appellation starting from their third year, two years after planting.
This stage is subject to strict regulations to ensure the most suitable practices for the terroir and vineyard.
Debudding
The bud thinning, or debudding, which takes place in mid-May, involves removing the non-fruitful buds, known as "water shoots," that grow on the old vine structures and can divert sap from the main buds.
This operation, entirely manual, requires several passes and relies on the expert judgment of the winemaker.
Tying
Tying consists of controlling the vine’s growth by attaching the canes to a wire. This operation involves securing the shoots to the support wire with small wire ties using a tying pliers, allowing the vine to grow in a more organized manner.