At Château Cazebonne, as the seasons go by, the attention paid to the flora in our vineyards reveals many splendours. Among them, Lychnis, a botanical genus belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, stand out for their elegance and vibrancy. These perennial plants, often adorned in shades ranging from bright pink to deep red, passing through delicate whites, bring a touch of poetry to our paths. Their flowers, with a perfect and solid structure, stand proudly above smooth, dark green foliage, catching the eye and evoking a certain kind of rustic delicacy.

Originally from Europe and Asia, Lychnis, also known as 'Jerusalem cross' or 'rose campion', have adapted well to our Bordeaux terroirs, flowering generously from June to August. Depending on the variety, their height can vary from 60 centimetres to nearly a metre and a half, creating layers of colour and texture within our viticultural environment. More than just an aesthetic presence, these blooms bear witness, in their own way, to the restored balance of our plots, which are managed using organic farming methods.

Growing Lychnis is relatively easy, making them precious allies for our ecosystem. They thrive ideally in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, and appreciate a sunny position or light shade. Their ability to blend harmoniously along path edges, in flowerbeds or even on their own, makes them residents of choice for enhancing the biodiversity of our vineyards. They participate in the life of the soil, enriching it and contributing to its aeration, fundamental aspects that we strive to preserve for the vitality of our rootstocks and the future expression of our wines. They are frequently found in meadows and woodland edges, where they contribute to the richness of the spontaneous flora.

At Château Cazebonne, Lychnis play a significant ecological role. Their colourful flowers attract numerous pollinating insects, which are essential for the reproduction of the surrounding flora and beneficial to the auxiliary fauna of the vine, such as bees and butterflies. Their root system also helps structure the soil, actively preventing erosion and improving its water retention capacity. This diversified presence of plants promotes a healthy ecosystem, reducing the need for external interventions and strengthening the natural resilience of our plots in the face of climate challenges.

By observing the profusion of these Lychnis and all the spontaneous flora, we draw valuable lessons about the good health of our soils. It is this commitment to rich and balanced biodiversity that also fuels our project to replant ancestral Bordeaux grape varieties. We are breathing life back into varieties like Castets, Mancin or Saint-Macaire, forgotten heritages that are fundamental to the identity of our terroirs. This exciting work, a true return to the roots of Bordeaux's viticultural history, where biodiversity is carefully cultivated, is only possible thanks to the many wine lovers who have adopted our vintages, thereby supporting our unique approach.

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

To find out more about ancestral Bordeaux grape varieties 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.

These striking blooms around our vines perfectly illustrate our philosophy and our commitment to integrated biological pest management, a part of our sustainable viticulture. To learn more about this approach, please do not hesitate to immerse yourself in the history of Bordeaux grape varieties by downloading our book on the subject. And if you wish to test your knowledge, our oenological quizzes are at your disposal. Finally, to actively support our work and discover our wines made from these grape varieties, all our vintages await you in our online shop.