Ep #22 | Behind the Vines: Vine Nurseries, Grafting & Cold Storage (Bordeaux/Blaye)

Episode 22, Jan 28, 02:00 AM

A field recording from our Bordeaux Educator program in the Blaye region, where Damien Lecomte of Vignobles Bouillac walks us through a working vine nursery—from vine material being nurtured in the fields to a cool storage facility where vines are held before being shipped locally and overseas. A rare, behind-the-scenes look at the start of a vineyard’s life.

Key moments / chapter markers

00:00 – Introduction to episode and vine nursery guide, Damien Lecomte
01:33 – Welcome by Damien, and introduction of Vignobles Bouillac
03:50 – What grafting is, relation to France and overseas market
13:11 – Seeing the nursery blocks and growing conditions
19:30 – Inside the cool storage: why cold chain matters for vines, shipping considerations: local vs overseas
24:23 – Takeaways

Useful context

A vine nursery is where young vine material is cultivated and prepared before being sold to growers for planting.
A cool storage facility (cold room) helps keep vine material stable and viable before dispatch—especially important when coordinating shipments and planting windows.

Credits / acknowledgements

Guest/Guide: Damien Lecomte, Vignobles Bouillac
Recorded during: Bordeaux Educator Program (Blaye region)
Format: On-location field recording (ambient audio; some questions may be less audible)

Nursey : https://www.linkedin.com/company/scea-du-vieux-puit-vignobles-bouillac/
Damien Lecomte : https://www.linkedin.com/in/damien-lecomte-75242925b/

If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes episode, share it with a fellow wine pro—and tell me what you’d like to hear more of: vineyard practices, cellar operations, or the “hidden logistics” that keep the wine world moving. Drop a comment on my IG @so.thirsty.traveler and let’s compare notes, my drinking comrades.