This estate which is located on the shores of the Lake of Neuchâtel, currently markets the produce of about 60 hectares of grapevines. Although the Auvernier Castle Cellars possess only 16 hectares of grapevines, they cultivate an additional 24 hectares and buy the harvest of 20 hectares more from vine growers with whom their ties, in some cases, go back several generations. The light to medium chalky soils, in places with barely 40 to 50 cm of topsoil overlaying the bedrock, can be very generous, providing the grapevine with two to three meters of undersoil. Geologically similar to the Burgundy soil, although situated a little further south, it benefits from the proximity of the lake, which regulates the temperatures.
The Caves du Chateau d'Auvernier Non Filtré Selection is a Neuchâtel specialty made from the Chasselas Fendant Roux variety, Neuchâtel Blanc. Non Filtré is the first wine of the year, put up for sale on the 3rd Wednesday of January. The presence of lees in suspension makes it cloudy to the eye and gives it unexpected notes of citrus, in particular grapefruit.
2021 Château d'Auvernier, Non Filtré Selection, Neuchâtel Switzerland
The grapes are harvested by hand. After being carefully cleaned, yeast is added to the must, then it is fermented at a carefully regulated temperature of about 18°C. The maturing of this wine on fine lees at a low temperature enables them to preserve its slightly sparkling character on the tongue. The Non-Filtré is the first wine of the year.
The entire estate is labeled Integrated Production and Sustainable Development according to the specifications of VitiSuisse Pronatura and is currently in the process of converting to organic. More than a third of the electricity is produced on site using photovoltaics. They produce their own nitrogen and disinfect the pipes with steam.
The estate produces its own natural fertilizers and recovers the fermentation lees by delivering them to the STEP of the municipality of Milvignes which turns them into natural gas.
