Biodiversity
committed winegrowers
For the environment and biodiversity.
2004 – Beginning of the reflection
Two winemakers (Thierry GERMAIN and Krishna LESTER from Château de Chaintres) met with Maarten Van HELDEN, a researcher in Bordeaux. They wanted to control vineyard pests through biodiversity.
The project is presented by the Syndicate for implementation on the scale of the appellation.
Between 2005 and 2008, a detailed study of the landscape and the trapping of pests were carried out and showed that there was a positive correlation between the abundance of "grape berry moths" (Eudemis and Cochylis, nocturnal moths that lay eggs in grape berries) and a landscape consisting mainly of large areas of vineyards.
In order to naturally reduce the populations of these insects, the winegrowers have organized themselves collectively to rethink the vineyard landscapes of the appellation and to implement actions favorable to biodiversity.
Today, a technical committee made up of winegrowers from the board of directors and volunteer winegrowers continues to implement new projects.
2005 to 2011 – Plantations and research activities
20 km of ZER (Ecological Reservoir Zones = hedges) planted.
70 winegrowers participated in the planting.
The plantings were carried out according to a development plan put in place following the study of the AOC landscape.
Changes in specifications and farming practices
2008 – Introduction of grass cover in the specifications
As part of the national reform of appellation specifications, a new measure has been adopted for the Saumur-Champigny appellation. It requires the presence of plant cover between the rows of vines or, failing that, the carrying out of soil cultivation.
With this decision, Saumur-Champigny becomes the first French AOC to ban the total chemical weeding of plots.
2018 – Harmonization of the specifications for the Anjou-Saumur vineyard
Ten years later, the entire set of specifications for the appellations of the Anjou-Saumur vineyard was in turn modified, continuing the developments undertaken previously.
Benefits of these two actions/measures:
- A decrease in grape berry moth populations, observed every year thanks to monitoring trapping;
- a gradual abandonment of the use of insecticides by the winegrowers of the appellation.
Definition of ZER (Ecological Reservoir Zone):
Non-productive agro-ecological plant infrastructure located at the edge of the plot. Made up of woody field species serving as a food reservoir and habitat for local fauna.
Since 2008: regular monitoring of the vineyard
Monitoring of diseases and pests
Since 2008, the union has been monitoring diseases and pests annually through observation and trapping on a network of plots within the AOC. Traps are set up from April onwards and allow for the observation of harmful insects such as grape berry moths (Eudemis and Cochylis).
Biodiversity monitoring
Traps are placed in 4 plots to observe biodiversity: two traps for flying insects and two for crawling insects.
A network of weather stations serving the vineyard
To complement these observations, nearly a hundred weather stations now cover the entire vineyard. They collect data related to frost and rainfall, among other things.
Each week, members receive a summary report presenting the results. This information allows each member to adapt their vineyard protection strategy and limit pesticide use as much as possible.
Research and observation of biodiversity
Alongside pest monitoring, the union has undertaken broader observations on biodiversity.
Between 2008 and 2012, a Research & Development project labeled by the Végépolys Valley competitiveness cluster was carried out to study the entomofauna and flora on different plots of the appellation.
Since 2020, these observations have been regularly repeated on a part of the vineyard.
Tree planting and landscape structuring
Between 2010 and 2015, in addition to planting hedges and in partnership with the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park, winegrowers participated in the reintroduction of isolated trees around the plots.
Iconic species, such as almond and walnut trees, were thus planted. Today, they can be discovered during walks through the vineyards of Saumur-Champigny.
Installation of nesting boxes for natural helpers
As a continuation of actions undertaken to promote the presence of natural predators of vine pests, around one hundred nesting boxes were installed in the appellation area between 2022 and 2023.
These nesting boxes, intended in particular for blue tits, great tits and bats, have been placed both in the plots and around the estates and wine cellars.
Explore the Saumur-Champigny terroir
Saumur-Champigny is the result of a unique balance between a grape variety, a soil and a river.
Cabernet Franc, tuffeau, Loire, biodiversity and the commitment of the winemakers together make up the identity of the vineyard and shape the character of the wines of the appellation.
Discover the elements that contribute to the expression and uniqueness of Saumur-Champigny wines.
cabernet franc
Cabernet Franc, the emblematic grape variety of the Loire Valley, is at the heart of the identity of Saumur-Champigny wines. Here, it reveals all its finesse and elegance.
Freestone
Tuffeau, a limestone typical of the Saumur region, shapes the landscapes, the vineyard soils and contributes to the balance of the wines.
Loire
The last great wild river in Europe, the Loire influences the climate of the vineyard and contributes to the natural balance of the terroir.
ongoing projects
Experimentation with new grape varieties, naturalist studies or vitipastoralism: discover the actions taken today to prepare the viticulture of tomorrow.
