Summer means being patient

As we settle into June, the sun is finally shining over our two domaines, bringing welcome warmth after a cool, wet May that delayed growth and kept us all on alert. While days are now bright and long, giving the vines what they need to flourish, the memory of spring’s lingering humidity reminds us of nature’s careful rhythms.

April to June: From Budbreak to Flowering

• April marks budbreak: tiny green shoots emerge from the pruning cuts, a sign that winter dormancy is lifting.

• May, this year particularly cool and damp, slowed canopy development. We kept a close watch for mildew, using organic treatments only when essential.

• June brings flowering. Tiny clusters form, and with consistent sunshine, fruit set begins—awaiting the summer’s heat to fatten the berries.

Laurent in vineyards early summer

Château Cazal Viel (Saint-Chinian) – Syrah & Viognier

At our historic, limestone-rich site in Saint-Chinian, the hardy Syrah vines—some of the oldest in Languedoc—are growing strong. Meanwhile, our Viognier, first planted in 1992, waits in thoughtfully nurtured parcels like Côte 128 “Pech Sévignac.” The weeks ahead will see their aromatic potential unfold as ripening takes full hold.

Château Auzines (Corbières) – Albarino & Chardonnay

High on the rocky plateau of Corbières, at an altitude of around 350 m, the Albarino and Chardonnay vines are thriving in cool-morning freshness—an ideal environment for preserving acidity and freshness. The delayed spring ensured the canopy developed evenly, setting the stage for a healthy flowering and strong fruit set.

From here, the vineyards enter a summer lull. Our role is less intervention and more surveillance—monitoring vine health, managing canopy, and preparing for heat. Pollinators buzz, wildlife visits, and the vines themselves take the lead as clusters swell and sugars begin to accumulate.

The next milestone is harvest, which typically begins in the third week of August. Until then, we’ll savour each sunny morning and each quiet moment in the vines—respecting the slow, deliberate pulse of nature.