2010 Viticultural Campaign: Optimal climactic conditions for perfect sanitary state

The 2010 vintage begins with a mild, wet winter. Pruning, the first operations of the year, extend from December 2009 through March 2010.
Late March to early April we observe the first bud swellings, as well as the appearance of the first leaves. Budburst occurs between April 1st and 13th.
To optimize balance, the wide diversity of our terroir leads us to fine-tune our agricultural methods based on the needs of each parcel. Green operations are carried out by our seasonal crew between May 10th and July 27th.  Unnecessary vine shoots and buds are removed to ensure quality production and the hardiness of each plant. Early leaf removal is performed on certain sections of the vines according to parcel vigor.
There is little rain in this period, which holds cryptogamic proliferation to a minimum, enabling us to considerably reduce phytosanitary treatment that can be done after monitoring the vines.
Summer was dry, sunny but cool and veraison came one week later than in 2009, occurring between August 3rd and 12th.  We perform light leaf thinning on certain areas but all in all the load is well balanced and the grapes sufficiently ventilated.  The grapes skins begin turning gold; the sanitary state is perfect.