Budbreak: the vine’s gentle awakening

Every year, it feels like a quiet little miracle.

Around March—sometimes earlier, depending on the winter—the first buds begin to appear on the vine canes. This moment is known as budbreak: when the vine, still drowsy from winter, slowly comes back to life. Tiny green tips emerge, shy but determined, marking the start of a brand new vegetative cycle.

At Château Canon Chaigneau, we noticed our first buds about a month ago. For us vintners, this is a pivotal stage. From now on, every gesture matters: daily observation, protecting against frost, and planning ahead. The 2025 vintage begins here, quietly and beautifully.

But this stage also carries its risks. One date we’ll never forget is April 8, 2021, when a sudden late frost struck overnight. We lost nearly 60% of the crop—a painful memory, even if we fared better than some of our neighbours. Since then, each spring brings renewed attention and care.

From this point on, every detail matters: daily monitoring, frost protection, and forward planning. The 2025 vintage quietly begins here.

And as nature awakens, we too feel that urge to gather outdoors, raise a glass to what’s ahead, and savour the season.