Au fil de Vavril – July 2015

Here’s the start of a series we’ve decided to introduce at Vavril: the winemaker’s monthly word on the Domaine’s vines.

The scorching summer is here at the Domaine and in the Vavril vineyards!

As you know, the Rhône is currently experiencing a heatwave, which is dragging on a little longer, and the Domaine has not escaped the phenomenon. While the bride and groom enjoy the pool every weekend, the vines are beginning to suffer a little! We haven’t had any hail so far (fingers crossed!) but the unremitting heat is starting to take its toll. Some grapes

Heatwave in the Beaujolais vineyards

are starting to dry out, the vines are losing leaves, but for the moment there’s nothing to worry about. The vine is a Mediterranean plant, used to the heat! However, we need a little rain in our vineyards before the end of July and especially around August 15 to ensure a quality 2015 harvest with a bit of quantity! If the heatwave persists too long, we could lose almost 40% of production, as we did in 2003…

Early harvest at Vavril for 2015

Jean-Luc Ducruix, our winemaker, has announced an early harvest for 2015. We should start at the end of August and finish before September 15. The harvest is expected to be small in quantity. Jean-Luc pays particular attention to the sugar levels in the grapes, which rise with the heat, producing higher-alcohol wines. We can’t wait to discover Vavril 2015!

Stay tuned and come back in August to find out the date of the harvest at Vavril!