The Awakening of Les Teyssonnières: From Winter’s Legacy to the Breath of Spring

Spring is finally arriving on our lands, bringing with it that unique light that awakens the hillsides. For us winemakers, this is a fascinating transition: we move from the quiet, studious months of winter to the joyful bustle of budburst. But before we dive headfirst into the tender green of the vines, let’s take a moment to look back at the work accomplished over the past few months.

A Rigorous Winter: Preparing the Future of the Estate

Contrary to popular belief, the vine never truly sleeps, and the winemaker even less so. Winter at Les Teyssonnières has been dedicated to precision and heritage.

The art of pruning and the ritual of the canes

For long weeks, shears in hand, we walked every row. Pruning is the longest and most physical task of the year, but it is what shapes tomorrow's harvest. We carefully selected the best wood—the canes that will carry the future clusters—while respecting the sap flow to ensure the longevity of our old vines.

Once the pruning is finished, it’s time to burn the canes. This is a powerful winter tradition: small bonfires smoking in the middle of the rows, the scent of dry wood crackling in the air... Beyond the folklore, it is an essential sanitary measure to eliminate potential disease sources before spring arrives.

Cellar Secrets: The Art of Blending

While frost whitened the ground, we were sheltered in the dim light of our cellar. Winter is the season for blending (assemblage). This is a moment of high precision where we taste every tank and every barrel to compose our future vintages.

It is a true work of the "nose" and the palate: marrying the structure of one lot with the fruit of another to find the perfect balance—that signature style of Les Teyssonnières that you love to find in your glass.

Spring: The Great Awakening of the Vines

Today, the sap is rising. We say the vine "bleeds" or "cries" when the first droplets appear at the tips of the pruned wood. This is the starting signal.

Bustle in the Rows

The nature of our work is changing. We are moving from structure (pruning) to growth.

Tying down (Le pliage): We attach the canes to the trellis wires so that the growth is uniform.
Soil Awakening: We plow or "scratch" the soil to aerate it, allowing the roots to breathe after the winter rains.
Upcoming Bud-rubbing (Ébourgeonnage): Soon, we will go through to remove the "suckers"—useless young shoots that drain the vine's energy for no reason.

Non-stop Activity: Sales and Commercialization

While we are out in the fields, we remain at your service! The life of the estate is also about the pleasure of sharing the fruits of our labor.

Sales of our current cuvées are in full swing. Whether you are preparing for your Easter meals, your first lunches on the terrace, or simply looking to restock your cellar, we continue to ship our wines across France and abroad, and welcome you to the estate. The vintages currently available show beautiful maturity and are ready to be enjoyed.

Come and Visit Us!

The estate transforms a little more every day. The blooming almond trees are giving way to the brilliant green of the vine leaves. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times to visit us, talk about our craft, and taste the wines right where they are born.

We look forward to showing you the results of our winter efforts!

News from Domaine Les Teyssonnières: From winter review to spring awakening