Organic challenge – Respecting nature

Château Grand Boise

Context

Provence, a region with high tourism potential, famous for its rosé
Purchase by an investor, specializing in industrial food, of a 45 ha vineyard near Mount Ste Victoire, with a mountainous 400 ha property that included two huge “mas” (traditional houses) well-suited to tourism

Issue to be resolved

Conversion to organic farming as requested by the investor
Taking into consideration that the 45ha of vines were spread over 77 plots on mountainous terrain, making work difficult
Protection against damage from wild boar
Adaptation to climate conditions

Challenges

Restructuring of the vineyard and up-dating of the winemaking facilities
Creation of a comprehensive range (red, white and rosé wines) suited to market demand (on-trade, multiple-chain retailers and export)
Plan for a tourism activity

Solutions

Conversion to organic vineyard
Creation of a range of five wines ( inc. two Provence reds and one white)
Opening of a shop specialized in local food products and also selling the estate’s wines
Easy maintenance of the mountainous terrain with a flock of 200 sheep and 10 black pigs.
Renovation of both “mas” including a reception room with the aim of developing high-end tourism

Indicators of success

Increase in production and average selling price per bottle
Restoration and protection of the environment and the property
Return of endangered species (royal eagle & Bonelli eagle)
Successful protection of the harvest against wild boar
Creation of jobs

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