(Bordeaux, France) – 2026-01-12 14:01:00 – A shift in vineyard training methods is gaining traction in the Bordeaux region, as winegrowers explore the potential of the Cordon de Royat system to reduce labor costs and improve profitability.
Traditionally, many Bordeaux vineyards have favored the Guyot system, but experts say the Cordon de Royat offers a viable alternative, particularly for certain grape varieties and vineyard locations.Davy Chodjaï, a consultant at Cambium, and Jessica Lécuyer Dupey, a trainer at Terre Amany, are advocating for the method, despite skepticism from some local growers.
- The Cordon de Royat system is being explored as a way to reduce labor costs in Bordeaux vineyards.
- Experts say Merlot, Malbec, and petit Verdot grapes are well-suited to this training method.
- Converting from Guyot to cordon de Royat requires a careful, four-step process to avoid damaging the vines.
- An experimental plot in Saint-Pey-de-Castets has shown potential cost savings of up to 40% in pruning time.
Transforming Traditions: The Cordon de Royat System
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“If she lacks force, it is better to redo the wood before pulling the sticks,” Chodjaï explained. Though, if the previous year’s growth is vigorous and presents consistent shoots, the transformation can be completed within a year, though not necessarily across an entire plot simultaneously.
The second step focuses on preparing the “aste” (shoot). This involves a Guyot phase with clean exits positioned at the top to be transformed into “cots” (stems). Chodjaï advises against using lower exits, as thay can lead to distortion, strangulation, or compression of the vine’s vessels.
the third step involves positioning the stems, ensuring they are spaced approximately 20 centimeters apart. If growth is stunted or uneven, reverting to a Guyot phase for a year might potentially be necessary to promote a more homogeneous output.
the fourth step involves cutting the stems to length, pruning only the current year’s wood, adapting the load to the vine’s vigor, and allowing for extension growth. “On Merlot for example, the base eyes are fruitful. so I can leave a frank eye and the flurry, then start again every year from the last branch, which corresponds to the clear eye,” Chodjaï concluded.
A First Triumphant Experience
For the past five years, Chodjaï and Lécuyer Dupey have been monitoring an experimental plot in Saint-Pey-de-Castets, Gironde. Half a hectare of Merlot,previously grown using the Guyot system,has been converted to Cordon de Royat.the winegrower involved has maintained yields without issue, and Chodjaï calculated potential savings of up to 40% in pruning time – equivalent to 16 hours per hectare.
Once the cord is established and the vineyard is mechanically pre-pruned, the cost is approximately 2,700 euros per hectare, compared to an initial cost of 4,500 euros per hectare, according to the data from the experimental plot.
The Royat cordon is authorized in the AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations (under the name “taille à cots”), and in almost all Bordeaux specifications, with a few exceptions in the Médoc AOCs.
Why It Matters
The potential for labor savings is particularly notable given the ongoing challenges facing the wine industry,including rising costs and labor shortages. The Cordon de Royat system, while not a worldwide solution, offers a promising avenue for Bordeaux vineyards to adapt to these pressures and maintain profitability. The success of the experimental plot suggests that, with careful implementation, this customary technique can be revitalized to meet the needs of modern viticulture.
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