In Gigondas, at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Domaine les Teyssonnières perpetuates a craftsmanship where the human hand remains the primary tool. For us, creating a great wine requires time, respect for the vine, and gestures inherited from the past.
Gobelet pruning (bush vines) is an ancestral method particularly suited to our Provençal climate. It shapes the identity of our old Grenache vines:
Natural Protection: The foliage forms a canopy that shields the clusters from sunburn.
Mistral Resistance: Its low, robust shape allows the vine to brave strong winds without damage.
Concentration: This pruning naturally limits yields to provide richer, more structured grapes.
The long-awaited moment of the harvest arrives. At Domaine les Teyssonnières, we refuse the ease of machinery in favor of hand-picking. Why this choice?
"Haute Couture" Selection: Armed with their shears, our harvesters perform a rigorous first sorting directly on the vine. Only the finest clusters, sun-drenched and perfectly healthy, reach our cellars.
Double Sorting in Bins: Once the harvest reaches the estate, we conduct a second manual check directly in the bins (palox). This step eliminates any remaining plant debris or imperfect berries to keep only the best of the fruit.
Respect for the Fruit: Unlike mechanical harvesting, the grapes are neither shaken nor crushed. Handled with care, they arrive whole at the press, preventing any premature oxidation.
Sustainability of Our Vines: Manual harvesting preserves the wood and the health of our vines—some of which are very old—ensuring the transmission of our heritage to future generations.
Choosing these ancestral methods means embracing more demanding work to offer a purer wine. Every bottle from Domaine les Teyssonnières carries the mark of this human touch and the authenticity of our Gigondas terroir.
