Vineyard Work at Domaine de Cambis
In Berlou, on the schist hillsides of the Haut-Languedoc, the vineyard work at Domaine de Cambis is the culmination of more than 20 years of family commitment to viticulture that respects living things.
Over 20 Years of Preparation for Organic Farming
Organic farming at Domaine de Cambis is not a passing trend: it is a goal that the Perolari family has pursued since 2002.
When Annick and Alfred Perolari, Martin's parents, acquired the estate in 2002, their ambition was clear: to switch to organic farming, or even biodynamics. They tried as soon as they arrived. But the vines, not accustomed to such a radical change, could not keep up. A sudden transition would have been detrimental, both for the plants and financially.
Reason therefore led them to be patient. More than ten years were dedicated to preparing the ground. This essential phase consisted of:
- Abandoning certain excessively dangerous vines
- Replanting other plots
- Restructuring the vineyard: modifying tractor passages, trellising the vines, removing large pebbles and rocks that hindered the passage of mechanical tools like the inter-row cultivator
- Drastically reducing the use of phytosanitary products to gradually accustom the vines to greater autonomy
This decade of transition allowed the vines to regain vigor and resilience. When the official conversion began in the summer of 2018, the vineyard was ready.
Certified Organic Since 2021
Three years after the official start of the conversion, Domaine de Cambis obtained organic agriculture certification for the 2021 vintage. All wines produced since that date bear the official AB logo and the European organic logo.
All the vines of the Estate are now certified organic. This is the culmination of a long journey that began long before the organic trend, in a family spirit of respect for living things.
A Living Vineyard
Martin observes the result of this work daily in his plots. The vines have never been as vibrant as they have been in recent years. They are teeming with insects and animals: earthworms in the soil, bees foraging in the surrounding garrigue.
This rediscovered biodiversity is a sign of living soil, of a restored balance.
A Hillside Vineyard
The Domaine de Cambis vineyard is nestled in the Rieu Berlou valley, between 250 and 400 meters above sea level. The plots are small, mosaic-like, sometimes on steep hillsides. This steep topography, characteristic of Berlou, requires a largely manual work on certain plots.
Precious Old Vines
The Domaine cultivates traditional Languedoc grape varieties, perfectly adapted to the Berlou terroir: Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre for red; Grenache Blanc, Vermentino, Roussanne and Viognier for white.
Some plots are old, even百年. These old vines produce little, but they pr