This summer at Petit Saint-Jean farm was marked by a dynamic combination of agriculture, biodiversity and conviviality, confirming Tour du Valat’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
At the end of June 2024, seven vintages were bottled, with a new feature: Floréal, a grape variety that is resistant to mildew and powdery mildew, requiring only one treatment with Bordeaux mixture or copper to reactivate the resistance (unlike other, more sensitive grape varieties, which are treated between 8 and 9 times). One of this year’s highlights: bottling took place directly on site for the first time, using a lorry equipped with a bottling line.
🍷Click here to find out more about the 2024 wines
Another new feature in 2024 is the switch to washable and reusable bottles, in partnership with SCOP Oc’Consigne. You’ll be able to take your empty bottles to collection points near you or directly to the Tour du Valat.
New recruit in Petit Saint-Jean team
Anne-Colombe Lecomte, a civic service volunteer, joined Tour du Valat team at the beginning of July. She has been assigned to Petit Saint-Jean farm until 3 March 2025. Her main task is to update the biodiversity inventories, as part of the process of drawing up the site’s management plan.
Several harvests organised in July and August with the help of volunteers
🥔More than 2 tonnes of potatoes were harvested, for sale to Tour du Valat employees and several organic shops in Arles. Two almond harvests also yielded more than 60 kg of almonds in shell.
🍊In July, a delegation from CIRAD (a french agricultural research and international cooperation body for sustainable development) visited the estate to study the feasibility of introducing citrus cultivation on the site. The aim is to adapt farming practices to the specific conditions of the environment, in particular soil salinity and water deficit, while anticipating the effects of climate change.
The end of July also saw the arrival on the marshes of several Aubrac cows accompanied by their young, reinforcing the pastoral management of the site.
🦩On 7 August, the Petit Saint-Jean farm was also the venue for a convivial lunch for the 130 participants in the flamingo ringing event. It was also an opportunity for guests to discover the wines produced on the estate.
26 August marks the start of the 2024 harvest
🍇From 21 August, regular sampling was carried out on the estate’s different grape varieties to monitor the ripeness of the grapes. Several parameters are monitored, including alcohol volume, total acidity and pH, as well as tasting the juice and skins to fine-tune the analyses..
The first grapes were picked on 26 August, with Grenache Gris, Marsanne and Roussanne. This was followed by the picking of Grenache Noir, Alvarinho, Floréal and Tempranillo. To date, ten mornings of harvesting have already taken place, all in good spirits and accompanied by excellent picnics to reward the pickers.
The 2024 vinification is now under way!
CONTACT
Nicolas Beck, manager of the Petit Saint-Jean estate & Head of Buildings, Energy and Waste / +33 (0)4 90 97 29 70
Loïc Tendron, crop manager Petit Saint-Jean / +33 (0)4 90 97 28 75
Anne-Colombe Lecomte, civic service volunteer Petit Saint-Jean
