An ambitious environmental project 
obtaining HEV certification An ambitious environmental project
obtaining HEV certification

Having undergone complete restoration, Château de La Chaize continues to grow with utmost respect for nature and its ongoing objective aimed at an ambitious and Sustainable ecological approach.

When Boris Gruy, Estate Manager, took over the wine-producing Château in 2017, he committed to a major project: obtaining HEV (High Environmental Value) certification and converting the entirety of the vineyards to organic viticulture.

“These are exceptional vineyards! They benefit from highly favorable conditions: southeastern exposure for most of the plots, top-quality granite and blue stone or diorite-based soils, their location on steep slopes of up to 45%, with a 200-meter (656-foot) difference in altitude between the highest and lowest vines and the estate’s woods that create a natural, protective barrier and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem. Knowing precisely where the grapes come from allows us to adjust vinifications according to each plot and, in doing so, showcase the best our cuvées have to offer”, stresses Boris Gruy.

After undertaking numerous actions (agroforestry, planting hedges, trees, etc.), La Chaize has been granted HEV certification.

WHAT IS HEV CERTIFICATION?

High Environmental Value certification officially recognizes the steps an agricultural operation has taken to identify and promote environmentally-friendly practices. This voluntary approach revolves around 4 key areas: 
•             Conservation of biodiversity
•             Plant protection strategy 
•             Fertilizer management 
•             Water resource management 

Today, a mere 1,900 winegrowing operations are HEV certified in France, which corresponds to just over 3% of their total number (source: agriculture.gouv.fr).
 

WHAT NOW?

The second step is to convert the all of vineyards to organic viticulture.

Their transformation and restructuration will take approximately ten years. Some of the oldest vines, which were planted at the end of the 19th century, will be kept while others will be replaced.

HEV certification, followed by the conversion to organic viticulture, reinforces all the environmental objectives that were set when the estate was purchased, so that we may continue to offer quality wines with bold personalities that reflect their individual terroirs.