The entire 60-hectare vineyard of Chateau de Manissy, spread across the Tavel, Lirac, Chateauneuf du Pape, and Cotes du Rhone appellations, is farmed biodynamically. The soils comprise sandy clay topped either with limestone fragments or ‘galets roules,’ the Rhone Valley’s classic rounded pudding-stones. The vines are bathed in sunshine and swept by the famous Mistral wind, giving perfect wine-growing conditions. A combination of heat and wind dries up excess moisture in the soil, helping to protect the vines from disease- particularly the fungal diseases caused by humidity. The result is a healthy vineyard full of healthy grapes.

Chateau de Manissy’s goal is to craft a range of quality wines to express the character of the terroir while minimising its environmental impact. In the vineyard, they shun the use of chemical inputs of any kind, including chemical fertilisers, pesticides and weedkillers. Instead, they treat the vines where necessary with copper and sulphur products, in the lowest possible concentrations to avoid polluting the soil. They focus more on upstream practices, trying to anticipate as far as possible any treatments required, preferring to provide preventive, rather than curative, care. Weeds are controlled by mechanical means, notably soil-tilling.

They also avoid chemical inputs in the wine-making process. Wines are protected by nitrogen blanketing, significantly reducing the need for sulphites.