This winter, we launched a reforestation project upstream of the Valat de la Crosse, a seasonal stream that runs through our Bek terroir in Vauvert, channeling rainwater down to Gallician.
Unfortunately, years of intensive farming have thinned out the vegetation that once stabilized its banks and regulated water flow, leading to erosion and increased flood risks during heavy rains. In light of this, we conducted a field study that revealed an encouraging trend: ash, elm, hackberry, and spiny pear trees are naturally regenerating along the stream, a testament to the ecosystem’s resilience. Experts we consulted advised us to leave it undisturbed and let nature do what it does best—heal itself.
However, one issue remains: during heavy rainfall, water rushing through our vineyards accumulates and gains speed before reaching the stream, accelerating its degradation and, on a more practical level, leaving our vehicles stuck in the mud at the lower end of the parcel.
We needed a solution. When we planted Grenache Gris and Macabeu last winter, we set aside a lower-lying area where runoff naturally converges. In January, we planted over 250 trees and shrubs there, including 12 Mediterranean species—some already present along the stream—designed to form a multi-layered plant system: tall trees (ash, hackberry), mid-sized trees (oak, elm), and shrubs (hawthorn, St. Lucie cherry).
Aerial view of the Valat de la Crosse
This effort brings three key benefits:
🔹 Better water management: Deep root systems help anchor the soil, reducing erosion. By slowing down rainwater runoff, this plant structure promotes infiltration, replenishing groundwater reserves and lowering flood risks.
🔹 A haven for biodiversity: The grove serves as a refuge for local wildlife. Nectar-producing plants attract pollinators, while the varied plant structure provides habitat for many species. This biodiversity is a huge asset for our vineyards—ladybugs, lacewings, bats, and insect-eating birds naturally help control pests.
🔹 A local climate buffer: With hotter summers ahead, the grove will help regulate local temperatures. Its canopy will create shaded areas that moderate heat and reduce evaporation, while the trees will also protect our vineyards from the strong Mistral wind.
This initiative is part of our broader commitment to farming in a way that restores natural processes by working with nature rather than against it. Strengthening our ecosystems and preserving natural resources ultimately makes our vineyards more resilient. It’s this fundamental interdependence that inspires us to develop living, terroir-specific solutions that safeguard both our environment and the future of our farming.
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