Cellars in bioconstruction

In 1999 we drew up plans with the architect, Mathieu Winter, for construction of a round underground cellar which would keep cool naturally, extend no further than the hundred-year-old walnut tree in the garden, a cellar which would not obstruct the view of our parents, but would have a sufficient slope for running water, etc. And of course, it must be covered with grass !! Not an easy project. From a scale model, we have finally found the right pitches, the right bearing points, interior volumes, etc. The construction materials are brick, a little cement, stone, clay, wood, grass. Our huge antique oak beams are installed in a circle.

Crémant cellar and solar cells. Next door, the storage cellar and order preparation area is, at the moment ,undergoing a project to install solar air-conditioning…not easy too but what does one do to reduce the dependance on electricity ! Higher up on the hillside, the crémant cellar (air-conditioned in the classic way—a concession made because of the delicacy required for producing the bubbles), and finally the storage sheds and the vinification cellar, which because of its location, allows the grape juice to flow by gravity without pumping.

Stones, cork, renewable energy. The tasting room is build like a timberwood house, the walls are limestone rock from the Florimont, and the building’s trim is done in wood from Vosges larch trees. Cork is used to insulate the building, plaster lets the walls breath, the hot water is solar. Come and see and we’ll explain everything and give you some tips on cob (adobe) construction, daub (clay and sand mortor), bois cordé (wall construction using chunks of logs cut crosswise and held together by mortor), renewable energy… We welcome up to 12 people in our tasting room. If your group is larger, we can accommodate you in the cellar where we house the large casks. We can also place at your disposal a larger room for a more convivial or festive experience. Some times events take place at our wine cellar. More about the next events on our BLOG.