Spring in Conflent: the vines wake up at Mas Llossanes

Budbreak: the hour of all hopes

April arrives, and with it, in the heart of spring in the Conflent, comes the most delicate moment of the viticultural cycle: budbreak. The buds emerge, tender and vulnerable, at the ends of the still-sleeping shoots. For the winemaker, this period is a constant balance between wonder and tension. A late frost—just one night below freezing—is enough to compromise months of hard work.

We watch for these emerging buds every morning. We read the sky and check the weather forecasts several times a day. We observe the color of the wind on the ridges of the Canigou. All of a winemaker's experience is concentrated in this gaze fixed on a few millimeters of tender green. It is both humble and immense.

Altitude: an ally and a demanding master

On our plots in the Conflent, altitude plays an ambivalent role. It slows down the vegetative cycle, delaying budbreak by several precious weeks compared to the vines in the plains. This slowness is a form of natural protection against March frosts. But as April progresses, vigilance never truly fades—the weather remains the boss.

At Mas Llossanes, this phenological delay is also an aromatic asset. The cool nights that persist until May slow down maturation, allowing the grapes to develop remarkable complexity and finesse. Vineyard plots in the plains rarely achieve this expression. The natural acidity remains lively, and the aromas are built slowly, with patience. It is exactly how we like to work.

The Conflent is one of the least-known valleys to wine lovers in Roussillon, yet it is one of the most singular. Framed by the Canigou and the foothills of the Pyrenees, it benefits from exceptional sunshine, tempered by high-altitude winds and cool nights. It is a terroir of contrasts that can be felt directly in the glass.

A hillside that breathes

Beyond the vines, the entire estate awakens in this month of April. Biodiversity reclaims its space with a generosity that never fails to touch us.

These subtle signals remind us why we work the vines the way we do. We intervene as little as possible so that this living balance can express itself fully in our wines. The wild grasses between the rows are not enemies; they aerate the soil, fix nitrogen, and attract the natural predators of pests. We learn to read them just as we read the vines themselves.

In April, two faithful visitors return to the plots, signaling that the ecological balance of the estate is truly real:

🐦The Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

Discreet and lively, it often walks close to the ground, near buildings or along the vine rows. Its presence testifies to an open, undisturbed environment—exactly what we strive to preserve.

🦜The Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Impossible to miss with its orange crest deployed and its characteristic cry. It loves soft soils rich in insects—typical of our biodynamically farmed vines. Seeing it forage in the earth between the vines is a validation of our way of working.

Working the vines in April

While the vines are waking up, the winemakers are far from inactive. April is the month for the first canopy management, selective disbudding, and sucker removal. We must choose which buds to keep and which to sacrifice to direct the sap toward the arms that will bear the next harvest.

It is manual, repetitive, demanding work—and deeply satisfying. Every action is a decision that will be read in the following year's wine. You cannot cheat with the vine: it records everything, from care to neglect.

This is also the period for preventive treatments against early fungal diseases, with mildew and powdery mildew as the main concerns. On our plots, we favor copper and sulfur-based preparations, done in accordance with the specifications we have set for ourselves. Less but better: that is our philosophy.

The wine of this renewal

There is a wine that, to our eyes, perfectly embodies this springtime momentum. Lively, luminous, and rooted in the terroir of the Conflent:

🍷Au Dolmen - IGP Côtes Catalanes

Fresh and luminous, Au Dolmen carries within it the energy of the first beautiful days. Its light ruby color and aromas of crisp red fruits accompany it, making it the ideal companion for patio dining. We open it as soon as the first rays of the Conflent sun appear. On the palate, the texture is supple, and the tannins are tender. The finish carries that mineral lightness characteristic of high-altitude wines.

Au Dolmen takes its name from a megalithic monument visible from our plots. It is a remnant of human presence on these lands, long before the vines. We like to think that this wine carries something of that memory. You can find an anchoring in the soil and a quiet depth beneath its apparent freshness.

Serve slightly chilled, around 15°C, with artisanal charcuterie from Roussillon. It also pairs well with a platter of Pyrenean sheep's cheese. You can choose it simply for the pleasure of a glass at sunset on the hillsides. Spring deserves to be celebrated.

Come experience spring in the Conflent with us

If you wish to discover Mas Llossanes beyond the screen, April is an ideal time to come and see us. It is one of the most beautiful moments for a visit. The vines are in motion, and the landscape transforms from week to week. We are always happy to share these moments with those who love to understand their wine and want to know where each bottle comes from.

Do not hesitate to contact us to organize a visit or to order our vintages. We ship throughout France and also offer direct sales at the estate.

Spring does not wait—and neither do the vines.
See you soon on the paths of Mas Llossanes.