Domaine Tariquet is far more than just a collection of vineyards. Our estate is ecological tapestry that includes vines, forests, natural meadows, hedgerows, and wetlands. The health of our entire ecosystem requires that that we care for each individual biotope or else we risk creating an ecological imbalance.
The complexity of landscape and habitats is the driver of biodiversity. It allows for a multiplicity of fauna and flora to develop. This diversity makes up the richness of the life that is biodiversity. By following an agroecological approach, viticulture can be perfectly integrated into this ecosystem.
These areas of ecological interest, deeply rooted in our estate, can be found throughout our vineyards.
When visiting the estate, one can appreciate the richness of the landscape by sitting in the shade of century-old oak trees which border the vines, the sight of a flight of wild ducks on our lakes, or the simple charm of a field in flower during the spring.
The quality and richness of our natural landscapes have convinced the CEN (Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels, Natural Spaces Conservatories, a state and region-approved organisation) of Occitanie to establish a partnership with Domaine Tariquet until 2027 with the intent to study, preserve and increase the biodiversity of the property.
This partnership was created thanks to the Life Biodiv’Paysanne project, coordinated by CEN Occitanie. LIFE Biodiv’Paysanne gathers a network of 60 farms spread across the entire Occitanie region, including Domaine Tariquet, which is one of the 20 pilot farms.
This agroecological focussed project aims to establish an inventory of the various ecosystems, the fauna and flora present on the estate’s lands. An action plan will then be implemented aimed at increasing the level of biodiversity as much as possible, both in the vineyards and ecological interest areas.
Preserving and increasing biodiversity is one of the major axes of sustainable agriculture, particularly to stimulate the benefits of ecosystems in natural and agricultural environments.
Helping pollinators is essential to this goal. In this spirit, Domaine Tariquet has installed around twenty hives in the heart of the vineyard.
Pollinating insects, mainly bees, are essential to the pollination of 80% of the world’s flowering plants. This pollination ensures plant reproduction and three-quarter of the world’s crops. A healthy population of Apis mellifera therefore makes it possible to support a variety of species useful to agriculture and the greater environment. It’s indeed a virtuous circle..
Our hives are cared for by two professional independent beekeepers. Their know-how and technical knowledge ensure thorough and appropriate methods and analyses in our caring for the bees.
Bees are excellent bio-indicators of a healthy local environment. They are very sensitive to any environmental degradation. f their population and honey production increases, that is a sign that the vineyards’ auxiliary flora and fauna is in good health.
Other insects are also well protected. They are spared by greatly reducing the spraying of insecticides, and those which represent a danger to the health of the vines are kept away by sexual confusion.
Among the ecosystems of our planet, the soil is a very unique one. It is one of the most important reservoirs of biodiversity.
In all our vineyard parcels, it was decided to create “living pathways” between every second rows of vines, either by letting nature do its work or by sowing herbaceous plants selected for their qualities. Allowing nature to take over these pathways offers numerous benefits. It provides a habitat for a multitude of species, which in turn creates an intra-plot ecosystem.
The green covers help preserve the soil and prevents erosion. The grass continues to capture carbon during the winter when the vines are leafless.
In addition, by competing with the vine itself, our green cover helps regulate yield, improving the quality of the grapes.
The Grassa family is aware of the long-term challenge of respecting the soil, and Domaine Tariquet’s farming practises are part of a form of agroecology promoting soil life and its biodiversity.
Soil life is a major pillar of the sustainability of viticulture. Improving the soil management by regenerating and perpetuating the life it contains means safeguarding this treasure for future generations.
The estate’s teams show total commitment to ensure the best possible harvest.