Domaine Leflaive

Sustainable Practices

Biodynamic Viticulture and Vineyards

Domaine Leflaive has been farmed entirely in accordance with biodynamic practices since 1997. A labor-intensive and demanding process, biodynamic farming requires the application of specially prepared compost on precise days and at precise times, as determined by lunar and planetary cycles.

In the time since adopting these practices, the health of the soil has improved dramatically. This has lead to greater health of the vines, as evident in the brilliance of their foliage and their resistance to mildew. In addition, the quality of the wines has improved and the fruit has achieved higher sugar levels, while retaining acidity.

In addition to concern for the health of their vineyards, great effort is also put into reducing yields at Domaine Leflaive. By judicious pruning, Anne-Claude has reduced the number of buds to five per branch.

Harvest

Preparations for the harvest begin several weeks earlier, when 200 to 300 individual grapes are harvested from different plots and pressed in small hand-presses. Cellarmaster Eric Remy then analyzes the juice for sugar to acid ratios and harvest dates are carefully determined.