At the heart of the Jardin des Vignes at Château Cazebonne, where Bordeaux's winemaking past boldly blends with innovation, cherries and cherry trees are not mere appearances. They symbolise a vision, one of a harmonious polyculture that respects natural balances. Much like the joualles of the past, where vegetables and fruit trees coexisted with the vines, our cherry trees bring precious biodiversity and a complementary palette of flavours. This return to our roots is an ode to the richness of the terroir, as highlighted by Jean-Baptiste Duquesne in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" when evoking the polysemy of our viticultural landscapes of yesteryear.

An ecosystem restored throughout the seasons

The presence of cherry trees at Château Cazebonne is part of a global approach to restoring biodiversity. These elegant and generous fruit trees punctuate our plots, offering their sweet fruit in season. More than a simple gustatory delight, they contribute to the richness of the local ecosystem. They shelter auxiliary fauna beneficial to the vines, promote pollination and contribute to the beauty of the landscape, reaffirming our commitment to an agriculture where nature in its diversity reigns supreme. It is one more step towards sustainable viticulture, where each plant element has a role to play in the vitality of the soil and the singularity of our wines.

Cherry trees, witnesses of a renewed viticulture

These cherry trees, silent witnesses to the vineyard work, are an integral part of our approach to rebirth. They recall this history of the terroirs where polyculture was the norm, and where each element played an essential role in the overall balance. They embody the philosophy of the Jardin des Vignes: thinking of the vineyard not as an isolated monoculture, but as a living microcosm, where the symbiosis between species creates an environment conducive to the blossoming of the vines and the most authentic expression of the terroir. This quest for natural balance aligns with our desire to promote biodiversity and improve the health of our soils through an agroecological approach.

The historical legacy of Bordeaux polyculture

Historically, the Bordeaux viticultural landscape was far from the image of monoculture that we sometimes have today. As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne describes in "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", vines often coexisted with cereals, vegetables and fruit trees, forming what were called "joualles". Cherry trees were commonplace then, not only for their fruit but also for their role in the environmental balance of the estate. The reintroduction of cherry trees at Château Cazebonne is therefore a tribute to these ancestral practices, an act of remembrance that reinforces the naturalness of our terroirs and the complexity of our wines. It is a way to rediscover the grape varieties of yesteryear and highlight a more environmentally friendly agricultural approach, as evidenced, for example, by the importance of cabbage in the crop rotation of the past.

Château Cazebonne is passionately committed to replanting forgotten grape varieties, true treasures of our winemaking heritage, in the heart of Bordeaux. This bold approach, off the beaten track, is made possible by the unwavering support of a community of enlightened enthusiasts. Their choices, their curiosity, and their commitment alongside us are the driving force behind this rebirth. To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties, we invite you to receive the digital version of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", and to test your knowledge of our production via our oenological quizzes. If you wish to discover the fruit of this research and commitment, all our cuvées are available in the Cazebonne boutique.