More than 1000 fruit trees planted this winter, diversification and biodiversity, a winning combination!

André, Louis Fabre’s youngest son , was already associated to the family winery with “Les 3 André” fortified wine. This cuvées was named after his grandfather, great grandfather, and himself as all these generation have participated to its elaboration. He is back on the scene with the planting of more than 1000 fruit trees this winter!

Passionate about Norman cider, where his studies will take him next September, he decided to be specialized in sparkling fruit-based drinks. To do so, he has to take the lead; more than 3 years are necessary before hoping to harvest the fruit of his work.
André has selected the fresh soils from Tarn region of France to grow apple and pear trees, salty earth from Corbières area for pomegranate and for the quince trees: used soils of Luc near the Château.

Famille Fabre supports this project at 200%, and thus continues more than 40 years commitment, confirming its position as a pioneer in biodiversity.

After iconic Famille Fabre fortified cuvée “Les 3 André”, stay tuned for André 3 juices release !

Pomegranate in June 2021

16 June 202116 June 2021

Herbal tea used to boost our vines

Organic, yes, but PROACTIVE too!

Following the frost, we sprayed wicker and horsetail tea. Horsetail contains silica which has a drying effect on the plant and therefore on fungus and cryptogamic diseases: mildew / oidium.

The wicker tea boosts the plant’s natural defences: this herbal tea will warn the plant of the danger, and it will prepare itself by developing a reaction.

We noticed that after these two treatments, the vine is more luxuriant: there is a flagrant result on the leaf surface.

A sick individual is more fragile than a healthy individual, if he catches a disease he will defend himself very badly. In the same way, BIO accompanies the life of the plant.

2 June 20212 June 2021

FABRE FAMILY IS COMMITTED TO THE CLIMATE!

Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat

We have been winegrowers on the same territory for over 400 years and we observe climate change. We act to accompany these changes on a daily basis, and would like to share these issues. Our profession gives us responsibilities and allows us to act on our environment. We have set up a programme to plant hedges and trees, and to sow seeds in the spaces between the rows of vines. This means that we don’t leave the soil bare, which allows us to fix carbon, increase the organic matter content of our soils and store more water during rainy periods. This is beneficial for the quality of our wines, for the beauty of our landscapes which will be less arid, and also for the planet!

That’s why we participate to the CEC (Convention of Entreprise for the Climat)

More details over there:

https://www.cec-impact.org/actus-presse?lightbox=dataItem-ko07il4z2

17 April 202117 April 2021

Historic black frost on 2021 April 8th

Waking up on April 8th

On April 8th, after a short night on MetéoCiel, zapping between the 5 locations of Domaines Fabre, we woke up dazed. Sad morning, the road to the 2021 vintage will be long. Nothing to do against this historic frost in the vinyeard: temperatures have gone down to -6, negative as early as 2 am at the Courtade. Luc, Gasparets and Cruscades were close to -3 at 5 am, Rieux-Minervois was slightly spared around -1. The frosty areas along the riversides are as affected as the upper hills. Never before seen in the lives of winegrowers, over 2, even 3 generations. 80% loss. Hard to see the work of a vintage go so quickly, so early.

And now?

Let’s wait a few weeks before evaluating the volumes we will be able to harvest, this year more than ever with humility. It continues to be very cold for a month of April: 3 weeks to go before the last Ice Saint for the Languedoc: Saint Jean Porte Latine on the 6th of May, which coincides with the end of the Red Moon, and marks the end of the freezing period. We will then try to get help from more fortunate winegrowers than us, in order to satisfy our existing customers.

Global point

Terroirs frozen up to 350m of altitude, colossal losses, the Languedoc vineyards are particularly affected by the black frost episode of last week.
The map published by the Chamber of Agriculture of Languedoc sums up the situation well: on all the appellations, red dominates. A more or less dark color which underlines the extent of the disaster for many winegrowers. With the frost on the night of April 7, losses reached more than 80% in some sectors. Thus, in the Hérault, 100% of the wine growing areas (about 80,000 hectares) were frozen, with relatively preserved areas such as the Haut du Minervois, which was “only” 30% affected, while La Livinière was spared. An appellation that is considered privileged in the Languedoc.

On the other hand, in the Corbières, the situation is much darker. This concerns both the IGP (protected geographical indications) and the AOC (controlled appellations of origin), which will pose a problem of quality because even the most beautiful terroirs are affected. A first in the region for some vineyards, which are not usually frosty: the preserved terroirs of altitude froze up to 350m, while the early grape varieties were particularly vulnerable, whatever the appellation.

8 February 2021

Carbonic Maceration, what is it?

Carbonic maceration

A method well experimented on the estate, carbonic maceration requires keeping the bunches intact. “The harvest is manual. The grapes are placed in small wagons to limit the crushing of the berries. The bunches are then placed directly in the vat. “The vat is saturated with CO2, and the bunches of grapes macerate for a fortnight or so. Enzymes turns the sugar into alcohol within every grape berries. The bunches are then pressed. Bernard Rehs (photo below), the family’s oenologist for 25 years, explains: “There are still sugars in the must, so we quickly start the fermentation by sowing with a selected yeast. We prefer to prevent the risk of deviation. It’s more random if we let the fermentation start spontaneously. “The method ensures a different aromatic expression and a gentler extraction of the tannins. “We thus benefit from a wide range of aromas for our blends. “To carry out this technique, the cellar must be organised to allow access to the top of the vats to deposit the bunches of grapes!

The Orangerie de Luc is a perfect example of Syrah maceration, an explosion of fruit.

The Fabre family was elected best winemaker 2020 by the Hachette guide thanks to this wine.

The Tempranillo 2020 too.

29 September 20205 November 2020

What is HVE ? A commitment beyond organic for Famille Fabre

High environmental value (HEV) is the highest level of a generalised scheme for the environmental certification of farms. Farm environmental certification is a voluntary approach which aims to identify and promote particularly environmentally friendly practices applied by farmers and winegrowers. HEV covers four key areas:

 biodiversity conservation,

 plant protection strategy,

 managed fertiliser use,

 water resource management.

Farm certification offers a guarantee that the pressure applied to the environment by farming practices (on air, water, soil, climate, biodiversity and landscape) is kept to a minimum.

18 September 2020

The “WAGONNETS”, Famille Fabre Trademark!

The inventive spirit of Famille Fabre can be seen in the creation of the ‘wagonnets’ or little carts that maintain the quality of the grapes from the field to the winery. Forming a little train, the small capacity carts (700 kilos) transport the grapes and allow them to be poured into the vats whole. This creates a reaction known as enzymatique fermentation of the seeds and guarantees a concentrated aroma.

31 August 202031 August 2020

ORGANIC, BEYOND CERTIFICATION

Not only is the whole estate certified organic by Ecocert, but in 2014 it was awarded the High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 which is the highest level.

However, more than any level of certification, Famille Fabre want a deep connection with nature. ‘A vine that gives must also receive.’ To preserve the quality of the soil, tools are chosen with care and the grass is left to grow under all the vines, supplying the crops with a natural source of nitrogen. Diverse measures are taken to increase biodiversity, such as maintaining or planting hedges at the edge of the plots.

29 June 20205 November 2020

Biodiversity, a priority !

• ORGANIC, BEYOND CERTIFICATION •

Not only is the whole estate certified organic by Ecocert, but in 2014 it was awarded the High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 which is the highest level.