Testimonials and results

Grégory Vigouroux, former head of culture at Stéphane de Renoncourt, took over an area undergoing restructuring, in Saint-Michel de Fronsac. An adventure which fascinates him and in which he leads with SOBAC.

"I brought back BACTÉRIOSOL from Stéphane de Renoncourt, winemaker-consultant who advises 160 Châteaux around the world, and where I was head of cultivation in his Domaine, in Côtes de Castillon. When I left to join Georges Antoine Robert, who was completely restructuring his domain, I wanted to carry on the experience started with SOBAC. Here, there are plots more tired than others and I always had in mind the idea that there is a jackpot in the unused soil, and that it is possible to release certain elements. I started with ten hectares by working in large doses to treat the viroses which affect the productivity and longevity of the vines. The vines resist much better, they are greener on the virulent parts. It is generally prettier to the eye. The wood is prettier, browner. Reaching maturity is easier.

I'm going to attack the third season with BACTÉRIOSOL and I have the feeling of extending life on certain plots

We succeed in inhibiting disease. I can already say that microbial life has increased in the soil, there are many more earthworms. The soils are more flexible. When we influence microbial life, we necessarily impact the very structure of the soil. BACTÉRIOSOL is part of a much broader philosophy. It’s like when you play cards, the higher the cards you have, the better your hand.

This is one more factor that allows me to move towards optimal maturation. What I want today is to continue getting the same things I got in the first two years. If the vine is more balanced, the grape will ultimately be more balanced. I am always looking for this fragile balance. I need quality and I also need volume. The goal of the game is to combine these imperatives. It forces us to take risks but in the end it pays.

SOBAC participates in this quest for harmony

My employer, Georges Antoine Robert, would like to go organic while I prefer to be like Organic but without the label. I do not want any restrictions in an emergency to bring back a healthy and acceptable harvest in volume. The vineyard is undergoing restructuring and it is exciting to have such a field of investigation.

BACTÉRIOSOL is totally in this perspective, as are the alternative hormone-based methods that we are exploring to treat European grape vine moth and grape berry moth, the cluster worm, with the principle of sexual confusion to avoid the reproduction of insects. In the medium term, I am convinced that we will have more expression of terroir, a more fluid wine.

The quality of the grapes will continue to improve

 We are going towards a vineyard which is going to be more than pleasant. What interests me above all is the good health of the plant. A vine must last a long time and if it is saved, it will be robust, pretty, and healthy. It is in the old vines that have fruit with the most expression. My working methods are going in that direction, and SOBAC is entering into this quest for harmony. "