The sun is shining in the Jura at the time we are writing these lines, and the photos make you want to go out in the countryside!
Much of the activity is focused on vineyard work, and May is the month of planting. As every year since 2018, it’s time for intra-plot replacements or complete plot replanting when the vines have become too old to produce.
Each time, these replacements reset the counters to zero and these new vines are cultivated organically, a major shift for Domaine Rolet started in 2018.
In the article, we detail these activities and the trend for the 2025 vintage…
Enjoy your reading!
Rapid point on climatology
Spring has arrived under the best of conditions at Domaine Rolet. The winter was cold enough to allow both the vines and the soil to rest, setting the stage for a promising start to the growing season. After the “Saint de Glace”(the traditional late-spring frost period, happening between May 11th and May 13th) passed without incident, the conditions turned ideal, giving us hope for a beautiful vintage ahead.
Above pictures – The grape inflorescences are now well developed, a positive sign of an imminent flowering.
Keeping soil life active
Current vineyard work is focused on soil management. One out of every two rows is worked with a spade to remove surface grass and break up compacted soil, respecting soil layers. These non-tills maintain an active biological life in the soil.promoting active microbial life.
In the alternate grass-covered rows, we carry out targeted under-row maintenance to control grass height. This cover crop, mainly composed of dwarf clovers, spreads well without excessive growth and naturally enriches the soil with nitrogen. With the arrival of warm weather, this cover dries out naturally under the sun, reducing the need for additional intervention and maintaining ground cover to prevent overheating during summer heat peaks.
Above taken at the geological amphitheater of Chagnon in Montigny-les-Arsures
Finally, we are currently planting an additional 2 hectares of Chardonnay, replacing old vines. This new parcel, located on mid-altitude slopes, was carefully selected for the production of our future Crémants. Its northwest exposure will promote slow ripening of the grapes, helping to preserve the natural freshness of our white wines.
Bottling season in the cellar
Bottling of the 2024 vintage began in early April and will continue through the end of May. Meanwhile, the team is already preparing the upcoming blending of our Vin Jaune 2018, scheduled for bottling this summer.
As a reminder, Vin Jaune is aged under a veil of yeast for a minimum of 6 years and 3 months in oak barrels, without topping up, following traditional Jura methods. Although the 2018 vintage has been legally available since February 2024, we prefer extended aging, as it allows the wine to gain further aromatic complexity and balance.
This bottling also frees up barrels for the next vintage: those that housed the 2018 Savagnin will now be filled with the 2024 Savagnin, marking the beginning of its long journey under voile.
Picture of a barrel of savagnin 2024 with a level still high