A female team
Brigitte & Nathalie: The two heirs of the Bruel family
It is on these bases that Brigitte and Nathalie, the two heiresses of the history (Histoire) of The Petit Chaumont, took again this family exploitation. And always in a spirit of respect for nature and culture, since 2008 they converted the domain with organic agriculture. And it is in the cellar (Le Caveau) that they will offer you with great pleasure, the possibility of tasting their various wines.
a singular soil
The Domaine du Petit Chaumont is located in the heart of the Sables area in the Petite Camargue
Near from Aigues-Mortes and La Grande-Motte, the Domaine du Petit Chaumont is in the middle of the area of the Sands, in the Petite Camargue, formed by sediments coming from the Rhone (river) deposited by the sea and the wind, with a unique geological structure; the ground is only composed of mineral substances, silica and limestone, without any trace of clay or silt. This ground is particularly poor, permeable and very sensitive to the wind erosion. Moreover, the low altitude (1m with 1,20m) over the sea level, limits the volume of ground available for the plant.
A GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE UNIQUE IN FRANCE
Acting like a rocky table, this water table causes the spreading out of the roots on all the surface part of the ground. A comparable situation with one of a slope vintage. Lastly, the marine breezes and the presence of the ponds support the phenomena of condensation and dew, this allowing a continuous growth of the vine, even during maturation of the grapes, and also supporting the synthesis of sugars. Maturation is also facilitated by a maximum of sunny days and the relatively low amplitude between the temperatures of day and night, the seas constituting a formidable thermal regulator.
a unique know-how
A respectful domain of the environment
The fragile balance of this soil requires a particular maintenance and a permanent control of the ground water level.
For that, the systematic putting under grass of the vines practiced each year makes it possible to fix sand against wind erosion, and thanks to the grass the manures and the mineral manures are well spread out.
At the time of its hiding during spring, a more compact sole of ploughing is created, playing the part of a condenser.
A constant work of the sand, preventing salted water to increase by capillarity and supporting the penetration of condensed water in the ground. Thus soft duckweeds on the top of salted water are constituted.
A turbulent story
The transmission of family history
Alain Bruel took an active part in the creation of the Independent Vine growers. It is particularly for this reason that it made the Petit Chaumont one of the first particular cellars of “Gard”, applying then one of the elements of the The Independent Vine grower’s charter : he receives, advises tasting and takes pleasure to present the fruit of his work and his culture.
Thus you will be able to see and taste at the cellar wines we are producing: the range Nef Saint Louis (Gamme Nef Saint Louis) which gather our most poprular products, the Illustrated series (Série Déco) whose bottles are illustrated with the colors of our soil, and the Prestige Vintages (Cuvées Prestige) with more specific development. It should also be highlighted that you will be able to find many local products there.
the wine cellar
DISCOVERING AN INDEPENDENT VINEYARD
Alain Bruel took an active part in the creation of the Independent Vine growers. It is particularly for this reason that it made the Petit Chaumont one of the first particular cellars of “Gard”, applying then one of the elements of the The Independent Vine grower’s charter : he receives, advises tasting and takes pleasure to present the fruit of his work and his culture.
Thus you will be able to see and taste at the cellar wines we are producing: the range Nef Saint Louis (Gamme Nef Saint Louis) which gather our most poprular products, the Illustrated series (Série Déco) whose bottles are illustrated with the colors of our soil, and the Prestige Vintages (Cuvées Prestige) with more specific development. It should also be highlighted that you will be able to find many local products there.
