A pioneering and visionary field

In the heart of Auvergne, where the lands of Saint-Pourçain still preserve traces of an ancestral winemaking heritage, the Vignoble des Vernusses, formerly known as Terres de ROA, took the courageous gamble in 2009 of organic and biodynamic viticulture, making it the pioneer of the Saint-Pourçain appellation to obtain these certifications.

This commitment marked the beginning of an adventure that would define the identity of the estate. Far from stopping there, and as if organic farming weren't enough, the estate has a bioclimatic winery built with ecological materials (timber frame, hemp bricks and lime plaster) to respect the natural cycles of winemaking and produce living, vibrant wines, imbued with the soul of the woman who crafts them.

Viticulture that respects living things

No, organic is no longer enough, so in the logical continuation of its commitment to organic viticulture and its ongoing Demeter certification, the Vignoble des Vernusses is initiating a transition towards regenerative viticulture on living soils.
More than a method, it's a philosophy.

Observe, understand, restore the natural fertility of the soils and respect their natural balances.

Promote microbial life, cover the soils all year round, stop plowing them, strengthen the resilience of the vine to climatic stresses through a physiological approach (gentle pruning) to allow it to draw its strength from a living and resilient ecosystem.

We are making this transition with humility but conviction. Because wine begins in the soil. And we have a duty to preserve, even regenerate, that soil.

It's a long-term process, involving trials, adjustments, and questioning. But for us, creating the conditions favorable to the overall balance between the soil, the plant, and natural rhythms is also a natural extension of biodynamics.

Wines with evocative names

The Vernusses vineyard covers 14 hectares spread between Monétay-sur-Allier and Bresnay. It shelters a small mosaic of grape varieties which find their balance on the sands and clays of the Bourbonnais region, as well as on granites and gneisses.

The essential Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir coexist with local and indigenous rarities such as Tressallier and Saint-Pierre Doré, which the estate strives to bring back into the spotlight.

These grape varieties interact with the soil and climate to produce unique wines with a distinctive personality. Each vintage, vinified at the estate since 2010, reflects a discreet approach where human intervention is minimal, allowing for sincere wines that preserve the purity of the fruit and the expression of its terroir.

Lunar, Solar, Soul Supplement, Soul Reflection…so many evocative names and invitations to feel the subtle energies of the place, the personality of the vintages and the intention behind each bottle.

Affinity with the sandstone element

At the estate, our affinity for sandstone is no accident. We made a natural and logical choice of this noble material for its exceptional qualities, perfectly aligned with our biodynamic practices and our work philosophy. Natural and vibrant, sandstone is distinguished by its neutrality and energetic inertia. It respects the wine, never constraining it or masking its expression.

Vinification and aging in stoneware jars preserve the purity of the fruit and the unique character of our grape varieties. Unlike wood, which imparts its aromatic signature, stoneware offers true olfactory neutrality. It reveals without ever dominating, highlighting the crystalline quality of our wines and the minerality of our terroirs.

Its subtle porosity allows for gentle and regular micro-oxygenation, essential for the harmonious development of the wine. Controlled gas exchange promotes the refinement of tannins, stabilizes aromas, and prolongs the wine's life without excessive oxidation.

The sandstone also acts as a true temperature regulator. It consistently supports fermentation, allowing for a slow, stable, and natural evolution. By retaining the temperature for longer, it helps maintain the wine's balance from its very beginning.

As for the energizing of our treatment water and preparations in our stoneware energizer, it is a natural extension of our approach that respects living organisms. This noble material improves the vibrational quality of the water, stabilizes its energy once energized, and fully respects the fundamental principles of biodynamics. The stoneware energizer is simultaneously a functional tool, a powerful symbol, and a valuable ally in our daily work.

Sandstone does not interfere with the subtle and invisible forces we seek to activate during the energizing process. Unlike plastic or certain metals, it does not disrupt the formation of vortices or vibrational fields. It moves with the water without altering it, preserving the intention set with each stirring.

Thanks to its gentle porosity, sandstone establishes a harmonious relationship with water. It allows the water to maintain better molecular cohesion after dynamization, while respecting its vibrancy, energy, and sensitive nature. The water thus prepared is more structured, more "alive," and more effective in its action in the vineyard.

Stoneware offers excellent thermal stability. It maintains a constant temperature throughout the brewing process, which enhances the quality of the vortices and prevents thermal shocks that can compromise the integrity of the brew. This stability promotes more consistent, efficient, and gentler dynamization of the water and its properties.

By choosing sandstone even in our energizing tools, we affirm our desire to work with accuracy, consistency and sensitivity, in accordance with the rhythms of nature and the forces that animate it.