Discussing wines made without inputs often sparks as much curiosity as it does debate. Behind this term lies a quest for purity, transparency, and the truest expression of terroir. At Château Cazebonne, this pursuit is an integral part of our philosophy: crafting living, sincere wines, shaped by nature rather than by technique. If you are interested in additive-free wines, our approach offers an authentic, uncompromising response, far removed from oenological artifices.

Rather than aiming for a rigid definition of "input-free wine", we focus on producing cuvées where human intervention remains discreet, thoughtful, and in service of natural balance. This rests upon several key pillars:

A preserved, vibrant terroir: the foundation of additive-free wines

A Preserved and Vibrant Terroir

Located in the heart of the Graves, Cazebonne benefits from diverse soils—gravel, clay, limestone—whose richness can only be expressed if the vineyard is in peak health. Our organic and biodynamic practices regenerate the soil and foster microbial life, which is essential for crafting consistent, stable additive-free wines. It is a fundamental principle: a great additive-free wine takes root in living soil.

Meticulous viticulture: the cornerstone of natural wine

Meticulous Viticulture: The Cornerstone of Natural Wine

One cannot imagine a wine without inputs without pristine fruit. Our vineyard team tends the vines with great care: no herbicides, no synthetic pesticides, only natural methods. This rigour yields ripe, balanced grapes capable of fermenting naturally without any need for corrective measures. As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne highlights in "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", great expressions of terroir are born first and foremost from respectful work in the vineyard.

To learn more about the importance of soil health, explore our article on the benefits of living soils.

Vinification free from unnecessary artifice

Vinification Free from Artifice

Producing wines without additives means letting the grapes speak for themselves. At Cazebonne, this entails:

• Fermentation carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grape bloom.
• No enzymes or oenological additives designed to alter the wine's composition or aromatic profile.
• No chaptalisation, meaning no added sugar to boost alcohol levels.
• Minimal to zero added sulphites, depending on the vintage and cuvée, to preserve aromatic purity. We also craft cuvées with no added sulphur.

This low-intervention approach preserves the purity of the fruit, the vibrancy of the terroir, and that "living" dimension characteristic of truly mastered additive-free wines.

The originality of forgotten grape varieties: a unique experience

The Originality of Forgotten Grape Varieties: A Unique Experience

Our project to replant historic Bordeaux grape varieties—Mancin, Castets, Saint-Macaire—aligns seamlessly with this low-input philosophy. These rustic, naturally balanced varieties lend themselves perfectly to minimalist winemaking. The result: deeply distinctive, expressive wines that reveal a rare facet of Bordeaux viticultural heritage, as Jean-Baptiste Duquesne so aptly explains in his book.

A comprehensive commitment, not just a passing trend

A Comprehensive Commitment, Not a Trend

For us, additive-free wine is not a marketing slogan: it is the logical outcome of a holistic approach rooted in respect for living ecosystems. Our wines do not chase technical perfection; they strive for precision, sincerity, and emotion. We firmly believe that an additive-free wine is, above all, a wine that has something to say—one that tells its own story and that of its terroir.

At Cazebonne, we carry this ambition: to create free-spirited, uncompromising wines born of living soils and exacting standards. For those seeking an authentic, vibrant experience and genuine value for money, our additive-free cuvées offer a unique take on additive-free Graves: the Cazebonne approach.

Replanting forgotten grape varieties is a long-term undertaking, made possible thanks to the unwavering support of the many wine lovers who have embraced our wines. Your trust allows us to keep innovating and preserving this precious viticultural heritage, as you can discover in our book on the history of Bordeaux grape varieties. Test your knowledge of these wines by taking our wine quizzes, and to extend the experience, feel free to visit our online shop.