At Château Cazebonne, the vitality of our vines is intrinsically linked to the richness of our flora. Among the species that embellish and enrich our terroirs, chamomile holds a special place. Whether it is Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) or German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), this perennial herbaceous plant, recognisable by its finely cut leaves and white flowers with a yellow centre, is much more than a mere aesthetic presence.

Beyond its delicate appearance, chamomile is a true pillar in the balance of our viticultural ecosystems. Its roots actively participate in the aeration and improvement of our soils' structure, thus contributing to the flourishing of the vines. As it decomposes, it enriches the earth with organic matter, thereby favouring fertility and microbial life. Moreover, chamomile is a melliferous plant of choice. Its sweet fragrance attracts numerous pollinators, essential to our vineyard's biodiversity and the natural reproduction of plant species. Its presence is, for us, a precious indicator of the good health of our soils; it bears witness to a living terroir and an environmentally respectful agriculture, in perfect harmony with our organic approach.

Chamomile plants are annuals or perennials, of variable size, generally between 15 and 60 cm in height. Their stems are branched and their leaves are fine, feathery and highly cut, of a light green. The flowers, typical of Asteraceae, feature a prominent yellow centre surrounded by white ligules, exuding a characteristic and pleasant fragrance that can also be found in the wines of our "Comme un goût de…" range, such as in the Sauvignon of our "Comme un goût de Sémillon" cuvée, made from the white wines of the Graves. They bloom mainly from late spring until the end of summer, enriching our vine rows with their colours and benefits just before the start of the harvest. They are also found in the wild along paths and in clearings, as well as in our plots, earning them a prime spot among the flora plants that grow alongside our vines.

Traditionally, chamomile can be used in the form of herbal teas in biodynamics, and it is an excellent indicator of soil vitality. Its presence indicates a balanced environment, conducive to the development of microorganisms beneficial to the vine. A benefactor for the earth, chamomile has no harmful interaction with the vine, acting instead as a facilitator of the established ecosystem. At Château Cazebonne, we regularly observe chamomile in our grassed plots, particularly on lighter, free-draining soils. It is an integral part of our strategy aimed at strengthening the resilience of our vineyard against climate challenges and diseases, especially those encountered in biodynamics. And to discover another, feel free to learn more about the benefits of yarrow.

For millennia, chamomile has also been recognised for its soothing and medicinal virtues. Rich in active compounds such as chamazulene and bisabolol, it is traditionally used in herbal teas for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to general well-being. This ancestral dimension of chamomile resonates with our philosophy at Château Cazebonne: that of cultivating the earth in harmony with nature, drawing on the wisdom of age-old practices to preserve our vines and the authenticity of our wines.

As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne evokes in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", a great terroir is forged in the complex interaction between a soil, a climate and an abundant biodiversity. It is in this spirit that Château Cazebonne is committed to reviving forgotten Bordeaux grape varieties, true genetic treasures such as Castets, Mancin or Saint-Macaire, which once made our region unique. This meticulous and passionate work of safeguarding and rehabilitation is only possible thanks to the unwavering support of all wine lovers who, by choosing our cuvées, contribute to writing a new chapter in Bordeaux's viticultural history and restoring the full diversity of our vineyard.

Discover the unique expression of our terroirs and our rediscovered grape varieties by visiting the Cazebonne shop.

To find out more about the ancestral grape varieties of Bordeaux and our commitment, we also invite you to receive the digital version of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", published by Éditions BBD and written by Jean-Baptiste Duquesne.

At Château Cazebonne, we dedicate ourselves to the noble task of bringing forgotten Bordeaux grape varieties back to life, meticulous work made possible by the commitment of our team and the unwavering support of passionate wine lovers, who take an interest in the different forms of life, from earthworms to birds. This journey allows us to offer you a range of authentic wines reflecting the richness of our terroir. We invite you to learn more about this history of viticulture by downloading our book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", to test your knowledge with our oenological quizzes, or to directly discover the expression of these unique grape varieties by visiting our online shop.