The next vintage is on its way…

The vendange at Domaine des Jeanne, in the Luberon, Provence

While the Luberon looked impossibly serene, we were busy working our secateurs off. The next vintage won’t make itself.

Harvest is the moment when a year of vineyard work becomes something altogether more tangible. At Domaine des Jeanne, our small artisanal wine estate in Oppède, in the Luberon region of Provence, it marks the beginning of the next chapter—from grapes on the vine to wines taking shape in the cellar.

But what actually happens during the vendange? And what comes next?

What is the vendange?

Vendange is the French word for the grape harvest: the picking of grapes destined for winemaking. At Domaine des Jeanne, our estate story describes September harvests led by winemaker Alex Samour, with grapes picked in the early-morning darkness to preserve freshness and flavour.

Behind that simple definition lies a considerable amount of work. The view may invite you to slow down; the vineyard has other ideas.

Why harvest timing matters

Deciding when to pick is one of the important judgements of the winemaking year. Grape ripeness, weather conditions and the style of wine the producer wants to make all influence that decision.

The Luberon provides a distinctive setting for that work. Long hours of sunshine help grapes ripen, while a marked drop in temperature overnight is a characteristic of the region’s growing conditions.[vins-rhone]

At Domaine des Jeanne, picking in the cool of the early morning is part of our approach to retaining the freshness of the fruit. There are easier ways to start the day—but harvest is not generally the season for lie-ins.

From vineyard to cellar

Picking the grapes is a milestone, not the finish line.

Our published winemaking story describes grapes being pressed, the juice cooled and settled, and fermentation carefully managed at controlled temperatures. During fermentation, yeast converts the grapes’ natural sugars into alcohol: a crucial stage in the journey from fruit to wine.

It is a less photogenic chapter than sunlit rows of vines, perhaps, but no less important. The work moves indoors, and attention shifts from the vineyard to the developing wine.

What does “vintage” mean?

A wine’s vintage refers to the year its grapes were harvested—not necessarily the year the bottle reaches your table. The harvest is followed by winemaking, and the time before release depends on the wine being produced.

So, when we say the next vintage is on its way, we mean its journey has begun. Not that it will be ready tomorrow.

Something for the meantime

Thankfully, there is no need to leave your wine rack waiting.

Our collection spans rosé, white, red and sparkling wines, from JJ Rosé and JJ Blanc to Prestige Rouge, our flagship red Légende, and JJ Bulle Blanche and Rosé.

For your next supper, you might choose a red to accompany a hearty dish, a white for an evening around the kitchen table, or sparkling wine to welcome guests. Think less about saving bottles for a perfect occasion and more about choosing something you will enjoy sharing.

Cosy suppers. Long-overdue catch-ups. A little early festive planning.

The next vintage can take its time. There is already a taste of the Luberon ready for your table.

Explore the Domaine des Jeanne collection