At Château Cazebonne, our Jardin des Vignes is not just a cultivation area; it is a true ecosystem where biodiversity plays a central role. Garlic (Allium sativum) fits in perfectly, not only for its own qualities but also for its contribution to the health of our vines. Our loamy soils provide an ideal terroir for its development, allowing us to harvest garlic bulbs with intense aromas, reflecting our environmentally friendly farming practices.

The integration of garlic into our plots is a deliberate approach, inspired by ancestral Bordeaux winemaking methods, particularly joualles cultivation. This ancient technique consisted of associating food crops, such as garlic, with the vines, thereby creating a more balanced environment. Garlic acts as a natural repellent against certain parasites, reducing our need for external treatments and promoting a more organic approach to viticulture.

A natural ally for the vines

Garlic is renowned for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. By releasing certain sulphur compounds into the soil and the nearby atmosphere, it helps to deter pests and strengthen the resistance of neighbouring plants. It is a companion planting strategy that supports biodiversity and the resilience of our vineyard, fully aligning with our philosophy of agroecology in viticulture. This beneficial interaction between garlic and the vines is a concrete example of the synergies we seek to develop in the Jardin des Vignes.

An agricultural tradition revisited

The history of integrating diverse crops within the Bordeaux vineyard is an ancient one. As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne points out in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", monoculture has not always been the norm. Past practices emphasised diversity within the vineyard, allowing for better autonomy and greater resilience against climatic hazards and diseases. This approach, which we are reviving today with garlic, demonstrates a desire to reconnect with a rich agricultural heritage and adapt this ancestral know-how to our contemporary challenges. It is also interesting to note that the "Onion" category, a close cousin of garlic, shares some of these companion plant virtues. The presence of such plants is essential for maintaining living and fertile soils. Our approach of market gardening within the vines, along with chicory, or even the "Cabbage" category, is emblematic of this philosophy. Consuming our own fresh vegetables is another aspect of our approach, an example being the inclusion of parsley on our plates.

This exciting work, this boldness to replant grape varieties in Bordeaux that had disappeared and to adopt virtuous agricultural practices, is made possible thanks to the support of a community of enlightened enthusiasts. Their choices and their commitment alongside us are the driving force behind this renaissance. To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties and discover more about our work, you can download the digital version of our book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages". Please also feel free to test your knowledge via our oenological quizzes. If you would like to discover the fruits of this research and commitment, all our cuvées are available in the Cazebonne shop.