The Philosophy
An eco-responsible winery
Sustainable development is part of Rocheville’s DNA. From the beginning, our goal has been to reveal the full expression of Chenin and Cabernet Franc. We do so with respect for the vines, their environment, our employees’ health, and the well-being of wine lovers.
Work in the vineyards
In the vineyards, an eco-responsible and minimally interventionist approach quickly became a cornerstone of our philosophy.
We believe that the land is not ours to possess, but a legacy to be passed on to future generations.
The soil is cultivated mechanically between the vines and grass is left to grow between the rows. This encourages the roots to dig deep into the tuffeau limestone, strengthening the plant’s natural vigor and resistance to disease.
Meticulous manual work shapes the vines throughout the year: short pruning to control yields, bud thinning, leaf removal, shoot trimming, green harvesting, and finally, hand-harvesting. These practices serve a dual purpose: to provide the healthiest possible environment for the grapes to thrive, and to concentrate their quality for the finest expression in the wines.
From the very beginning, Philippe Porché and Jérôme Callet chose to renounce chemical treatments. To prevent disease, what better ally could there be than nature itself? Several measures have since been introduced to help the vines defend themselves naturally.
Hedgerows have been replanted at the edges of the parcels, and roses at the end of the rows, to encourage biodiversity and attract beneficial insects such as lacewings.
Cover crops also play their part, limiting erosion while fostering spontaneous flora and providing a habitat for wildlife and invertebrates. These are just a few examples of how we nurture our vines so they can give the very best of themselves.
Our eco-responsible winery
What is an eco-responsible winery?
Philippe Porché built his winery following eco-responsible guidelines, in line with the work carried out in the vineyards.
In other words, the building was designed with sustainability in mind, aiming to minimize its environmental impact—both in terms of architecture, choice of materials, and energy management.
These aspects are explained in detail during guided tours of the estate, along with the specific features of organic vineyard management.
Artisanal winemaking
Balancing modernity and tradition, Domaine de Rocheville practices traditional winemaking with modern tools, reflecting our winemaking philosophy to reveal the purest expression of our wines—naturally and without any chemical intervention.
The guiding principle of this philosophy is to bring the grapes to the winery at optimal ripeness and to adapt vinification to the personality of each cuvée. Maceration times vary depending on the terroir.
Aging takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, large oak casks, barrels, or sandstone eggs, depending on the style of wine desired.
Sustainable viticulture labels
Over the years, we have felt the need to formalise our eco-responsible philosophy. Domaine de Rocheville has been Terra Vitis certified since 2011, converted to organic farming in 2016 and its wines have been labelled organic since 2019.
Terra Vitis
Terra Vitis is a French certification for sustainable and responsible viticulture, created in 1998 by winemakers in the Beaujolais region. It recognizes an “eco-responsible approach from the vineyard to the bottle.”
The certification’s comprehensive standards cover the protection of the vines, air, water, and soil, as well as biodiversity, human health, and waste management.
At Domaine de Rocheville, certification was granted in 2011 without a probationary period, as the principles of Terra Vitis had already been applied for many years.
The Terra Vitis approach is reflected in many practical actions: cover crops in the vineyards, installation of tit birdhouses to naturally control vine pests, and the use of recyclable kraft cardboard for packaging, among others.
Organic Farming
The Terra Vitis and Organic Agriculture (AB) certifications share a common goal: strengthening the vines’ natural defenses.
In both cases, treatments of natural origin are used. However, the use of synthetic chemicals is allowed under Terra Vitis, but only in strictly controlled conditions when the harvest is at risk.
Until 2012, the AB regulations applied only to vine cultivation, which made Terra Vitis a more coherent choice for Domaine de Rocheville.
After the European regulations were extended to winemaking, Domaine de Rocheville began its conversion to Organic Farming in 2016. Since September 2019, it has been AB-certified and produces organic Loire wines.
Under Organic Agriculture, the use of synthetic chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers) is prohibited, and all raw materials must come from organic farming. At Rocheville, these principles had already been practiced for years, so the main change was the adoption of mechanical weeding.
Beyond labels and certifications, our winemaking philosophy is above all about crafting high-quality wines that respect the planet and ensure the greatest enjoyment for you!
