NATURE & BORDEAUX . HENRI LUDDECKE

"I much prefer the term 'cultivating' to 'farming', as it retains a sense of obtaining the fertility and liveliness of the soil and paying attention to the fruit's growth."
(Henri Luddecke)

Deep leaf-green and aromatic grapes - blue meadow violets, buckthorn, clover, wild garlic, crested dog's-tail and red fescue. If Henri Luddecke takes a look at the fruits of his work at the PERAYNE vineyard, there is more comprehensive proof of his NATURE & BORDEAUX philosophy than he can receive with his various awards (THE MEDALS). "We have understood for a long time that good, lively soil offers the best harvests, and that its natural self-defence mechanisms need to be nurtured with care and attention."

THE VINEYARD WITH ACTIVE CROP MANAGEMENT

Following the sale of his traditional farm in the Hildesheimer Boerde and his acquisition of CHATEAU PERAYNE in the natural haven of the Entre-Deux-Mers, Henri Luddecke began his system of active crop management. By deliberately sewing a mixture of seeds, the winegrower reintroduced domestic plants between the PERAYNE vines. A blossoming and colourful plenitude of herbs and grasses grow there today. The positive effects this has for the grapes can be easily proved. Some facts have been known for a long time about a vineyard's ecosystem:

Unique and considered seeding of plants suited to a region contributes to the long-term sustainability of its ecosystem, which is then kept in stable balance. Henri Luddecke pays very close attention to the pests and beneficial organisms that naturally exist between his Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillion wines. He only intervenes "when it is beneficial to the harmonious growth of the grapes and an active life for the soil."

"EVERYTHING SHOULD BE AS NATURAL AS POSSIBLE" - INTEGRATED WINE GROWING

Henri Luddecke's Philosophy for NATURE & BORDEAUX:

• Natural plant seeding throughout the vineyard
• No use of herbicides or nitrous fertiliser
• Plant protection used only in the absolutely minimal quantity
• Use of organic fertiliser (e.g. Grape seeds), whose biomass can be broken down slowly by the plants and turned into a natural and effective nutrient cycle.
• rape picking by hand and machine when necessary at the best stage of maturity.

• The aim: "no infestations during cultivation!" The natural approach comes into blossom: CHATEAU PERAYNE grapes thrive with a full aroma, a naturally high level of resistance and for years have been the basis of highly enjoyable NATURE & BORDEAUX.

AWARD FOR GREEN INNOVATION: FIRST PRIZE of VIGNERON

Luddecke was soon recognised in Bordelais as the "regional pioneer in environmental protection" because of this conviction in active crop management and the excellent results his philosophy achieved. Compared to the ideas of the average winegrower in Bordelais, the green concepts at CHATEAU PERAYNE were an immediate success and something altogether new. This made Henri Luddecke the recipient of a great official honour:

In 2001 Henri Luddecke was awarded the "1. TROPHÉE DU VIGNERON" by the syndicate of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superior.

CHATEAU PERAYNE . NATURE & BORDEAUX