At the heart of the floral richness of Château Cazebonne, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) stands out as an emblematic and essential plant. This perennial herbaceous species, belonging to the Asteraceae family, is much more than a mere presence in our vines. It embodies the philosophy of respect for the land and natural balance that we passionately cultivate in organic farming.

Yarrow is recognisable by its finely divided leaves, reminiscent of a feather, and its umbels of small white to pinkish flowers, which bloom generously from summer to autumn. Beyond its rustic beauty, this plant possesses remarkable properties. Its deep roots structure and aerate the soil, promoting better water infiltration and active microbial life. It is also known for its medicinal virtues and its beneficial role in the vineyard's biodiversity, attracting valuable auxiliary insects for the natural regulation of pests, thereby limiting the need for external interventions.

In our biodynamic approach, yarrow plays a special role. It is used in the creation of biodynamic preparation 502 (P502), one of the bases of our compost. Integrated into it, it contributes to the harmonisation of soil processes and the accentuation of plants' sensitivity to cosmic influences, thereby strengthening the vitality of our vines and the quality of our grapes. Its presence in our plots is an indicator of the good health of our terroirs, signifying a balanced soil conducive to sustainable agriculture.

As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne points out in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages", the relationship between flora and the vine is symbiotic. Every element of the soil, visible or invisible, from humus to roots, from insects to flowers, contributes to the unique expression of the terroir. Yarrow, with its ability to draw micro-elements from the soil and make them available to other plants, including the vine, is an essential link in this chain of vitality. It actively participates in building a resilient viticultural ecosystem, less dependent on external inputs and better able to cope with climatic hazards.

Working with plants like yarrow is part of our deep desire to restore life and diversity to our vineyards. It is this same commitment that drives us to replant forgotten ancestral grape varieties in Bordeaux, such as Castets or Mancin. A meticulous work of preservation and rehabilitation, made possible thanks to the support of the many wine enthusiasts who have adopted our vintages, thus helping to write a new chapter in Bordeaux's viticultural history. Find other examples of our agroecological approach, notably through the use of plants like chamomile, in the various articles of our journal.

To learn more about the ancestral grape varieties of Bordeaux 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. Test your oenological knowledge as well with our quizzes, and feel free to discover the unique expression of our terroirs and our rediscovered grape varieties by visiting our online shop.