The 2018 vintage was particularly wet. After the drought of 2017, the months of March, April, May and June 2018 recorded rainfall well above seasonal norms, preventing us from entering the vineyards with trucks to ensure good protection against diseases. The total absence of mistral wind combined with heavy rains fostered a heavy pressure of mildew, which eventually led to crop losses on some plots. In addition, the hail hit the vineyard on June 24th : a historic first for our vines in Pierrefeu. Summer was slow to come but temperatures started to rise steadily from June 21st, which allowed a good ripening of the grapes. The harvest started on August 23rd and finished on September 14th.

The vineyards are worked by hand, using natural animal fertilizers. Buds are trimmed and a green harvest is practice to purposefully limit yields. A part of the vineyard is plowed with horses. The area between the rows of vines is grassed over with cereals.

All grapes are harvested manually, sorted, not de-stemmed and directly loaded into an hydraulic Champenois Coquard press without crushing. The grapes are lightly pressed so as to obtain optimum delicacy and fragrance from the very heart of the grapes. Wines ferment in temperature-controlled stainless steel, gravityfed cuves. The Pétale de Rose is exclusively made of 1st quality juices. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation. For the 2016 vintage we used 50% native yeasts for the fermentation and we aim to do 100% for the next vintage. The wine is bottled at the Château la Tour de l’Evêque.