Biodynamic Pontet-Canet

Pontet-Canet is the only biodynamic estate in the Médoc cru classé. This is the fifth most highly rated Pauillac wine (based on critic scores): the 2010 vintage was given a score of 100 by The Wine Advocate and the 2010 vintage was given a score of 18/20 by Jancis Robinson.

Very little manipulation in the Vineyards 

From Mélanie Tesseron,  managing director and co-owner of Chateau Pontet Canet in Pauillac, there is very little manipulation in the vineyard during the growing phase: no hedging, no de-leafing, no green harvest. We allow the vines to be in balance with themselves, so they are naturally protected against disease. The more you manipulate in the vineyard the more you have to compensate in the winery.

Postier Breton horse working Pontet-Canet’s vines in place of a tractor.

The theory is that tractors compact the soil too much; horses are significantly lighter and cause less stress to the vines’ roots. At Pontet-Canet, the horses, of which there are eight, are part of a bigger picture—since 2010 the estate has been certified both organic and biodynamic.