CHAMPAGNE TELMONT

"It’s time for the wine industry to accelerate its sustainability efforts," says historic Champagne house president - SilverKris

"Led by a president with nearly 20 years in luxury wines and spirits and backed by a share acquisition that includes actor and environmental campaigner Leonardo DiCaprio, this 111-year-old Champagne house has positioned itself as a sustainability leader in the region. Calling themselves positive “troublemakers,” they have eliminated gift boxes, cut bottle weight, avoided transparent or non-recycled and heavy bespoke glass, and launched a project called In The Name of Mother Nature to push toward 100% organic agriculture. They emphasize biodiversity and urge an end to herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers and fungicides, while applauding industry-wide progress and arguing that luxury brands must set the trend. Practical measures include embracing new vineyard rules that allow greater spacing between vines, preparing for growing water scarcity, and adopting technology such as drones and remote sensing to reduce heavy machinery use and improve efficiency. Customers and sales have remained supportive despite the changes, and the leadership frames these moves as essential to preserving the region’s tradition of complex, celebratory wines for future generations." - Ben Chin