Items not labeled as Rapid Ship or Pre-arrival may require a transfer from the warehouse to our shipping facility before shipping, which can take 4–6 business days. Learn more on the Shipping Info page.
Domaine Bernard Defaix
Domaine Bernard Defaix started with 2 ha in 1959 and now spans four generations of vine-growers. A key innovation in the progression of the Estate was a method to protect the vineyard against spring frost. Thanks to this, a minimum harvest was guaranteed every year and stable trade markets could be developed. Since about 2004, Bernard’s two sons of Bernard have been managing the domain: Sylvain is in charge of the vinification, the ageing, the bottling and the preparation of orders, Didier takes care of the vineyard and the general management of the property, Helene, Didier’s wife, looks after the administrative and commercial responsibilities.
The domain comprises over 27 hectares of vineyards in the Chablis Premier Cru, Chablis and Petit Chablis zones. For many years movement has been made towards sustainable and more ecological farming. Organic farming is the logical result of this movement. They also continue a vine management technique employed by their parents and grand-parents. A furrow is dug in the middle of the row in order to pile some earth at the base of the vine and make a little mound. The goal is to aerate the soil deeply and to bury the weeds.
For the vineyard’s protection, only sulfur and copper sprays are authorized. Each must be employed in the most efficient way without spraying too much nor too often. This requires completely rethinking how to work the vine, restoring its central role and helping it to fight against parasites. Some signs of research on products that boost the natural defense system are coming up. They are also using various preparations for a biodynamic approach: the 500P (horn manure) for the soils vitality, the 501 to stimulate the foliage and the photosynthesis as well as other “herb tea”.
In this way, they are returning to the work of their grandparents and parents when they started, yet with two important advantages. One, they have access to much higher-performance material. Two, there are now forecast tools for the weather and the pressure of diseases that were not available then.
