From late August to mid-October, the harvest marks the climax of vineyard work, the crowning achievement of an entire year of effort and attention. It is during this period that the fruit of our labour is picked: berries bursting with sugar and sunshine, ready to give birth to the wines of Château Cazebonne. Every day is a race against time, a delicate dance between heaven and earth.

The winegrower must observe constantly to determine the optimal ripeness date for each plot and each grape variety. This crucial decision, guided by berry analysis (colour, taste, sugar and acidity levels) and weather forecasts, is decisive for the future quality of the wine. A week more or less, a few hours of sun or rain, can radically transform the aromatic profile and structure of the vintage. The aim is to find the perfect balance to pick healthy grapes at their maximum potential to reveal the complexity of our terroir.

At Château Cazebonne, this stage takes on a particular dimension. While most Bordeaux winegrowers focus on a limited number of grape varieties, we cultivate a rich and diverse viticultural heritage. Beyond the classics, we are shining a spotlight back on historical Bordeaux varieties that had been forgotten or abandoned. As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne recalls in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" (Éditions BBD), these ancestral grape varieties are the living memory of our vineyard, bringing a unique typicity and aromatic richness.

Harvesting by hand

Manual harvesting is an ancestral practice that guarantees the preservation of grape integrity and the optimal quality of the must. It is essential for plots intended for the production of premium wines or for grape varieties with heterogeneous ripening. Pickers meticulously select healthy bunches, or even individual berries, that have reached full maturity, leaving those that require a few extra days on the vine. This method respects the vine and the terroir, avoiding soil compaction by machinery. It is particularly suited to vines planted on steep slopes or when the plot is difficult to access. Harvesting by hand, although more expensive in terms of labour, allows for rigorous sorting right from the moment of picking, making it a major asset for our most delicate cuvées, especially those made from forgotten grape varieties or our old vines.

Harvesting by machine

Mechanical harvesting, while faster and more economical, must be used judiciously so as not to alter grape quality. Modern harvesting machines are increasingly sophisticated, with on-board shaking and sorting systems that limit damage inflicted on berries and stalks. They are particularly effective over large areas and for grape varieties with uniform ripeness. However, the choice between manual and mechanical harvesting depends above all on the type of wine desired and the characteristics of the plot. For wines intended for early consumption, the machine can be a viable option, whereas wines for laying down or exceptional cuvées generally require the delicacy of the human hand. The type of grape bunch and the robustness of the berries are also factors influencing this choice.

How do we harvest at Cazebonne?

At Château Cazebonne, we favour manual harvesting for all our exceptional cuvées, in particular our Grand Vin, the Comme en 1900 range, and our single-varietal ancestral grape cuvées. This approach allows us to ensure a meticulous selection of berries and to preserve the purest expression of our terroir. The first harvests generally span from late August for the earliest-ripening grape varieties, such as some of our white grapes, and continue until mid-October for the latest-ripening red varieties. This period can vary each year depending on climatic conditions and the profile of each vintage. The harvest date is determined plot by plot, following regular analyses and berry tastings to evaluate phenolic ripeness and aromatic potential. We closely monitor the vine's cycles, from budburst to veraison, to optimise each stage. For the rare cuvées where mechanical harvesting is considered, it is carried out with the utmost attention so as not to compromise quality. This rigour in our choices fully contributes to the elaboration of our Graves wines. If you wish to learn more about one of the essential tools for this analysis, please feel free to consult our guide on using a refractometer.

It is thanks to the support of many wine lovers, who have embraced our cuvées, that we can continue this beautiful adventure of rebirth and preservation. Every bottle of Château Cazebonne is not just a wine, it is also an act of transmission, a part of Bordeaux history that we are bringing back to life. If you wish to discover the fruit of this passionate work, our cuvées are available for sale in the Cazebonne shop. To deepen your knowledge of the fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties and our work, we also invite you to download the digital version of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" or to test your knowledge via our oenological quizzes.