01/10/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/10/2022 09:59
Martell Mumm and Perrier-Jouët (MMPJ) have been committed to leading Pernod Ricard's charge on sustainable viticulture for over a decade. In our vineyards and terroirs, we are working with our farmers, winemakers and partners to develop sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach encompassing the growing environment, biodiversity, and soil life. It is the delicate balance and the stimulation of biological processes, combined with protective methods that are respectful of the environment.
By taking an aerial view of the terroir, the soil, the wildlife and plants and the community MMPJ are making a real impact on mitigating climate change, protecting ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, restoring the soil, and improving livelihoods.
MMPJ has lent on expertise advice from world-renown agroecologist Sébastien Roumegous to develop and implement a 5-year pilot programme.
The transition to regenerative agriculture is as much about bringing people on board as it is about respecting the land, so the programme was developed following a series of workshops in Champagne and Cognac. Coming together the team defined a roadmap and vision for the pilot programme.
A vital component of the programme is knowledge and skill transfer, by training alongside an expert our network of employees will acquire new skills in soil functioning, plant cover and biostimulation.
To preserve our terroirs over the long term, we share best practice and support our growing partners as they transition to sustainable viticulture and support them to achieve certification.
The programme began at the end of 2020 with an in-depth study of the soil quality. Over four years the regenerative viticulture pilots in Cognac and Champagne will pilot growing climate resistant grape varieties, cover crops and using precision farming technology. There are three key objectives:
MMPJ vineyards across Cognac and Champagne are trialling alternative methods of weed control (electric, foam, water pressure, etc.) introducing biodiversity inventories, increasing use of biocontrol, and ramping up the use of panels on sprayers to reduce the quantity of spray solution needed and stop it from drifting onto the soil or into the air. By 2020 MMPJ had already reached an important goal of using zero herbicides across all vineyards.
Recent investment in precision farming technology includes: Bakus, an autonomous electric tractor designed by French start-up VitiBot that helps teams in the field through mechanical weeding; and connected innovations such as camera-equipped drones.