In 1997, “Le Pin” was renamed “Château Le Pin Beausoleil” and the viticultural legacy was revived in this magnificent corner of the world. The wines swiftly attained a level of quality previously only available in France’s largest and most important wine region’s high-price market. This winery in Saint-Vincent de Pertignas, close to Saint-Emilion, gained a devoted following.
Pesticides were sprayed on practically all vineyards in the Bordelais at this period in greater quantities than was healthy for nature and people. Pesticide use in viticulture is a contentious and emotional issue in France. It is an issue of livelihood, both professionally and in terms of health. It was assumed that wine could only be produced economically by the application of pesticides.
When Michael Hallek and his wife Ingrid decided in 2014 to shift Château Le Pin Beausoleil’s vineyards toward sustainable, organic farming, the entire area was at a crossroads. Many wineries were creating low-cost wines for an international mass market that buys a Bordeaux for a few euros per bottle in the supermarket. They were uninterested in, or simply lacked the resources to consider, sustainability and climate change.
However, a tiny handful of wineries, including Château Le Pin Beausoleil, wish to approach things differently. The Hallek family and the entire winery team use the great terroir, as well as the experience and devotion of the staff, to continually follow a sustainable path based on the most recent scientific discoveries on organic viticulture and to create the wines of Château “Le Pin Beausoleil” in accordance with organic farming principles. Without pesticides or herbicides, chemical additions, or synthetic fertilisers. The family also sees this as a commitment to leaving a healthy living environment for future generations on our planet.
A wine that should serve as a model for other wines from the region. A wine that demonstrates that exceptional quality is independent of pesticide quantity and number. A wine that helps to restore the region’s ecological equilibrium. As a result, there will be even more butterflies fluttering around Saint-Vincent de Pertignas tomorrow.
In 1997, “Le Pin” was renamed “Château Le Pin Beausoleil” and the viticultural legacy was revived in this magnificent corner of the world. The wines swiftly attained a level of quality previously only available in France’s largest and most important wine region’s high-price market. This winery in Saint-Vincent de Pertignas, close to Saint-Emilion, gained a devoted following.
Pesticides were sprayed on practically all vineyards in the Bordelais at this period in greater quantities than was healthy for nature and people. Pesticide use in viticulture is a contentious and emotional issue in France. It is an issue of livelihood, both professionally and in terms of health. It was assumed that wine could only be produced economically by the application of pesticides.
When Michael Hallek and his wife Ingrid decided in 2014 to shift Château Le Pin Beausoleil’s vineyards toward sustainable, organic farming, the entire area was at a crossroads. Many wineries were creating low-cost wines for an international mass market that buys a Bordeaux for a few euros per bottle in the supermarket. Therefore, they had little interest or simply did not have the means to think about sustainability and climate change.
But a small number of winemakers, among them Château Le Pin Beausoleil, want to do better. The Hallek family and the entire team at the winery take advantage of the excellent terroir, the experience and dedication of their employees to produce wines based on the latest scientific findings on organic viticulture. to consistently follow a sustainable path. For this reason, they produce the wines of Château “Le Pin Beausoleil” according to the principles of organic farming. No pesticides, herbicides, chemical additives or artificial fertilizers are used. The family understands this as a contribution, the following to leaving a healthy living environment for future generations on our planet.
This path can be a model for other winemakers in the region. Because it shows that outstanding quality is not linked to the quantity and number of pesticides. It contributes to restoring the ecological balance in the region. So that tomorrow more butterflies flutter in the region around Saint-Vincent de Pertignas.