The future

Transition to organic culture and biodiversity

Constance Slaughter explains: “We have become the guardians of a natural and cultural heritage. It is essential for us to preserve the ecosystem of the magnificent Mille estate, within the Luberon biosphere: its vines, forests and the Calavon river. We immediately started the conversion process to organic farming, working with the help of the Ecocert institute, using natural fertilisers such as guano, manure and plant-based formulas. We protect the vines against diseases – such as mildew and oidium – with organic products. The healthy Luberon climate makes organic viticulture particularly successful.

Biodiversity

 The size and quality of the estate allows us to rejuvenate our vineyard parcels on a rolling and periodic basis. As the fields lie fallow for a few years, we plant cereals and legumes to promote biological activity, bringing essential nutrients such as nitrogen, azote and potassium.

We are also in the early stages of implementing a holistic organic agricultural plan for Mille, including

  • Beehives, in order to improve pollination within and beyond the vines and healthy insect population;
  • An olive grove, in the Provençal tradition; and
  • An almond grove, to respond to food manufacturers’ increasing demand for organic produce.
  • A rose garden to supply perfumers 

These innovations are being introduced while respecting the history and tradition of Chateau de Mille, under the watchful eye of José Pinto, the “vigneron” who has been working at Mille for two decades. José, thanks to his intimate knowledge of each field throughout every season, holds the vineyard’s memory. He plays an essential role in this new chapter of Mille’s history.

A new winery

In order to fulfill the potential of this tremendous terroir, it is essential to invest in modern vinification methods. With the help of the Cabinet d’Architecture Lafourcade, we are constructing a new winery with the most modern technology – from gravity-led pressing to individual, parcel-focused vinification. This will allow Château de Mille to produce great wines with minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to find its best expression.

Our sustainability policy includes renewable energy and a sophisticated wastewater treatment. We are aiming for a carbon-neutral operation.

We have also equipped the vineyard with a Sencrop weather system, which enables us to continuously monitor, track and predict temperature, rainfall and wind on individual parcels. We can therefore quickly react to these factors and fine-tune our organic treatments on an informed, real-time basis.

Chateau de Mille faces the 21st century with an ambitious programme of innovation and high quality drive, with the greatest respect for nature and ancestral traditions of Provence.