The buzzing of the cicada, that iconic symbol of hot summer days, often resonates in the collective imagination as the natural soundtrack of Mediterranean regions. But did you know that these insects, whose song is primarily the prerogative of males to attract females, are unsung allies of winegrowers and a precious indicator of biodiversity? Belonging to the Cicadidae family, which boasts around 3,000 species across the globe, the cicada, with its long, slender body and broad head, feeds on sap extracted with its rostrum, without actually harming the vines.

Its presence in the vineyards, particularly in warm, dry regions like Bordeaux, is a sign of a favourable ecological balance. Where biodiversity flourishes, nature reclaims its rights and provides conditions conducive to sustainable viticulture. The song of the cicada, far from being mere background noise, can thus be perceived as the murmur of a healthy ecosystem, an echo of life buzzing at the heart of the terroirs. Much like bees, ladybirds or earthworms, the cicada actively contributes to the ecological wealth of the plots. It is fully in keeping with the concept of living soils, essential for healthy and resilient vines.

At Château Cazebonne, we are particularly attuned to this natural symphony. Our commitment to biodiversity translates into environmentally friendly winegrowing practices, encouraging the presence of local flora and fauna. It is in this spirit that we dedicate ourselves to the reintroduction of the ancient grape varieties of Bordeaux, those "forgotten" varieties which, like the cicada, were once an integral part of the Bordeaux wine landscape before being overshadowed. As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne explains in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", the 19th century saw a flourishing diversity of grape varieties that has almost disappeared today, but which offered aromatic complexity and highly specific terroir typicity.

As a pious author quoted in "La Vigne dans le Bordelais" reminds us, animals have a divine right to feed on the plants of the earth; their "charter is in as good a form as ours". This philosophy resonates with our approach to a viticulture that coexists with nature, acknowledging the place of every living creature within the vineyard ecosystem. The presence of the cicada is a testament to this successful integration. This work of memory and perseverance, which involves replanting ampelographic treasures such as Mancin, Castets, or Pardotte on our estate, is made possible by the invaluable support of the many enthusiasts who have adopted our wines and share our passion for rediscovering the viticultural heritage of Bordeaux.

At Château Cazebonne, we strive for the rebirth of the lost grape varieties of Bordeaux, an initiative made possible by the support of the many enthusiasts who adopt our wines. To deepen your knowledge of this fascinating history and understand the importance of such an approach for the future of Bordeaux wines, you can receive the digital version of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" published by Éditions BBD. Feel free to also test your knowledge of our history and our wines with our oenological quizzes, and, of course, to come and taste our cuvées made from these rediscovered grape varieties by visiting our Cazebonne online shop.