The estate
- Vines grown by the Terra Vitis approach, olive trees and thyme for essential oils grown organically
- Set up in 1995 having been an oenologist for 15 years
- 30 hectares of vines (including 20 ha in Languedoc AOC and 3 ha of Saint Chinian AOC for annual production of 1,000 hl), 1.5 ha of olive groves, 1 ha of thyme
- Direct selling of produce in the winery and at wine exhibitions: 45% of volumes, 10% export (membership of an association called “Patrimoine des Terroirs” (heritage of terroirs) comprising 28 winegrowers and 31 French appellations who export their wines through an exclusive sales representative)
Innovations
- Member of Terra Vitis since 2002 and takes part in the Terra Vitis CSR pilot project to go ever further in the approach of a responsible farmer
- Development of agroecology: since 2014: uses pheromones to combat grape moths, installation in 2015 of bat shelters, upkeep of walls and ‘clapas’ (rockpiles) to accommodate the wildlife present on the estate which is surrounded by 12 hectares of oak and pine woodland
- In 2018, purchase of an inter-plant weeding tool to eradicate the last chemical weed control operation in the row
- In 2019, installation of land-borne invertebrate panels to observe and count them in the estate and assess the impact of crop-growing techniques
- Organisation of hikes through the estate (Oenorando, crossing the vineyard) and other wine tourism activities to share her passion for her job
Observed results
- Since 2020, a reduction in the TFI (treatment frequency index). Her membership of the Chamber of Agriculture’s Sustainable Viticulture group helped her to validate her observations and analyses in terms of vine behaviour
- There is an increasing bat population
- More varied wildlife (birds, ocellated lizards, garter snakes)
To find out more: www.domainegaltier.com
Profile written by the Hérault Chamber of Agriculture