100% commitment to the Environment
On 7th February, 2023, after 8 years of work with the Saint-Emilion Wine Council, the Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and Puisseguin Saint-Emilion appellations have included in their specifications an obligation of certification.
This decision makes Saint-Emilion the first appellation to commit to obligatory certification. In Saint-Emilion, fully certified – full commitment to the environment.
Saint-Emilion's Environmental approach
Since 2015, the Saint-Emilion Wine Council and its Environment and Biodiversity Commission have been eager to implement and develop more sustainable practices.
Indeed, the winegrowers of the Saint-Emilion appellations have the willingness to engage in more environmentally friendly approaches to preserve our planet today and bequeath a healthier environment to future generations.
Saint-Emilion fully certified
On 7th February, 2023, the INAO‘s National Committee approved the request made by the Saint-Emilion Wine Council to include an environment certification in the requirements of the Saint-Emilion, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and Puisseguin Saint-Emilion appellations. Every winegrower must have at least level 2 environmental accreditation and/or a certification in organic agricultural pratices.
Thematic workshops on the environment
For a better understanding of the stakes and a better adoption of the practices linked to the different certifications, nearly 110 sessions with experts over 3 years allowed to inform the winegrowers. These meetings aimed to allow each winegrower to understand, evaluate and choose the best suited solution to his constraints and ambitions.
The 6 pillars of Saint-Emilion's environmental approach
Saint-Emilion’s environmental commitment goes far beyond certifications. Indeed, it is part of a global approach based on 6 topics for which many actions are conducted throughout the year:
- soil biodiversity,
- bio-control,
- living landscapes,
- water use and quality,
- meeting the climate change challenge,
- human intervention.
Each pillar is supported by workshops and projects involving the Saint-Emilion winegrowers and external partners.
Among the initiatives implemented, we find :
- developing plant cover,
- collective purchasing of seeds which allow economy of scale,
- research projects with the Bird Protection League (LPO) on vine auxiliaries – especially bats,
- studies of grapevine downy mildew spores,
- the first Saint-Emilion winegrowers’ plant nursery,
- development of strategies for the passive fight against the meteorological hazards,
- a study on the attractivity of wine growing careers.