Organic viticulture has been practiced in Champagne since the 1970s, first by seven pioneering winegrowers: Jacques BEAUFORT (Ambonnay), Jean BLIARD (Hautvillers), Serge FAUST (Vandières), Roger FRANSORET (Mancy), Georges LAVAL (Cumières), Yves RUFFFIN (Avenay Val d'Or), and Pierre THOMAS (Oger).
It has been officially recognized in France since 1981 and a real enthusiasm for this method of cultivation only appears from the 2000s.
The year 2020, however marked by the health crisis and a significant decline in champagne sales, is a record year in terms of conversion to organic farming, a real turning point taken by professionals in the appellation. The interest in this environmental certification, initially driven by the winegrowers, is now confirmed by that of the cooperatives and Champagne Houses.
At the end of 2021, organic champagne production concerns 598 estates and 2751 hectares of vines, including 1790 hectares in conversion. The organic vineyard now represents 3,9% of Champagne estates and 8,0% of the Champagne appellation area.
If these figures are still much lower than those of other appellations, they correspond to an increase in surface area of 34% compared to 2020. (As a reminder, 20% of French vineyards are grown in AB in 2021.)
Chiffres 2020 de l'Observatoire Régional de l'Agriculture Biologique.
Organic Viticulture in Champagne in 2021
Sources : ORAB Bio en Grand EST – AGENCE BIO, Organismes Certificateurs
> Click here to download the figures of Organic Viticulture in Champagne 2021 <
Find the complete list of winemakers engaged in organic certification on the website of the Bio Agency: www.agencebio.org / List of Organic Champagnes Producers members of the ACB