Champagne Telmont CEO Discusses Organic Grapes And ‘Green’ Strategy

When I first caught up with Ludovic du Plessis, President of Champagne Telmont, he had just attended a party in L.A. with business partner, Leonardo DiCaprio. As we chatted via Zoom, he explained that Leonardo was not only a good friend but the inspiration behind why Champagne Telmont has become one of the ‘greenest’ companies in the Champagne region of France.

“I met Leonardo about 15 years ago, and we became friends. He was the one who put the seed of sustainability in my mind,” said Ludovic.

Today that seed has grown into the very successful Champagne Telmont – a company that is not only converting all of its vineyards to organic but is pursuing regenerative agriculture. It is also the leader in reducing bottle weight – the major contributor to wine’s carbon footprint.

Ludovic and Leonardo are both investors in the company, along with Bertrand Lhôpital, Telmont’s winemaker, and Rémy Cointreau, a French-based spirits and champagne group.

Organic Grapes Key to Champagne Telmont’s Green Strategy

Champagne Telmont was established in 1912 but didn’t achieve its first organic vineyard certification until 2017. This is because it is quite difficult and rare to become organically certified in Champagne, due to the cooler climate with more rain and frost. This can result in strong mildew pressure and other issues that require non-organic treatments.

Despite this, the Comité Champagne has set a goal for all producers to become 100% certified by 2030. They can elect to pursue organic certification, as Telmont is doing, or another environmental standard, such as sustainable viticulture in Champagne.

“Today only 4% of Champagne vineyards are organically certified,” stated Ludovic. “But we have already certified 72% of our 24.5 hectares (60.5 acres) as organic, and are working with local growers to help them to become certified organic.”

“To be certified as organic you cannot use any herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or fungicides in the vineyard.”

Ludovic believes, along with the other 16 Telmont employees, that farming organically is not only good for the planet, but also creates a higher-quality sparkling wine.

“To be certified as organic you cannot use any herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or fungicides in the vineyard,” explained Ludovic. “This is better for the soil, our community, and contributes a radiance and energy to our wines.”

Indeed, I had a chance to taste their 100% organic champagne, entitled ‘Telmont Champagne 2017 Réserve De La Terre,’ and was surprised at how vibrant the fruit is – with ripe apple, white peach, and hints of orange pith, all wrapped in textured bubbles. At a suggested retail of $102, it is designed for celebrations. (94 points, see Forbes review).

Telmont produces three other champagnes made with some organic grapes, but since they are not yet 100% organic, they cannot be labeled as such. One of my favorites, and also the most affordable, is the Telmont Reserve Brut. At a suggested retail price point of $75, it is a bigger, richer style of champagne with a classic toasty and nutty nose, along with creamy lemon brule and yellow apple notes on the palate. (92 points).

The two other current offerings are the Telmont Vinothèque 2012 at $97 and Telmont Blanc de Blanc 2012 at $119. The plan is for all the champagnes to become 100% organic in the future, once they have completed the conversion of their estate vineyards to organic (which takes a minimum of 3 years and external verification).

Other Components of Champagne Telmont’s Green Business Strategy

Champagne Telmont has set a goal to become Climate-Positive by 2030 and Net Positive by 2050. The latter means reducing CO2 emissions by at least 90%. In addition to becoming 100% organically certified in their vineyards by the end of 2025, and their grower partner vineyards by 2031, Telmont is implementing seven other components for their green business strategy:

1) Biodiversity – They are in the process of planting 2500 different shrubs and plants in and near the vineyard to encourage biodiversity of insects, birds, bees, and other animals. This is also part of regenerative agriculture, because it creates healthier ecosystems that are more adaptable to climate change.

2) Lower Weight Bottles – In partnership with glassmaker, Verallia, Telmont was one of the first Champagne houses to safely reduce their bottle weight to 800 grams, which has resulted in 4% less CO2 emissions per bottle produced.

3) Less Packaging & Recycled Glass – Telmont has also eliminated expensive and not very useful boxes for each bottle of Champagne sold, leading to less waste. Converting to green glass bottles, which are made with 85% recycled glass, rather than clear glass bottles, which do not use recycled glass, has further allowed them to reduce their carbon footprint.

4) Renewable (Solar) Energy – They have made a commitment to source 100% renewable energy, and therefore are installing solar power and converting to electric vehicles.

5) Green Distribution – they are currently working with distributors who transport their wines around the world, and encouraging the use of biofuel vehicles. They have banned air shipment, and have adopted wind-powered Neoline ships to transport their wines.

6) Transparency in Labeling – The company has adopted a new front label for their bottles that is not only made from recycled materials but includes detailed information on how the wine was made, the percentage of grapes used, and the dosage (sugar level). Each bottle is also individually numbered for easier traceability.

7) Social Responsibility Efforts – Amongst its employee ranks, they have hired 50% men and women, which is admirable given that many French wineries are male-dominated. The assistant winemaker (cellar master) is a woman – Aurore Guerlesquin, who is being trained by Head Cellar Master, Bertrand Lhôpital. In addition to helping its growers convert to organic farming, Telmont has also created a 46-page Guide to Sustainability in Champagne, which they offer free of charge on their website to encourage other Champagne houses in their sustainability journey.

See Tiktok video below where Ludovic du Plessis, President of Champagne Telmont, discusses the importance of sustainability.

Celebrities Embrace Champagne and Wine

“In the end, we do all of this in the name of Mother Nature, and we include this on our labels,” stated Ludovic. “But we are not militants, we are having fun and trying to be a leader in sustainability. We are not saying we are perfect – we still have a long path ahead, but we are trying to do our best.”

As the interview came to an end, and Ludovic was rushing off to LAX to fly home to France, I asked him which wines they were drinking at Leonardo DiCaprio’s party the evening before.

“Champagne Telmont, of course, and we were especially drinking many bottles of the organically certified Telmont Réserve De La Terre,’” he replied.

“So who else was at the party?” I asked.

“Well Brad Pitt was there, and I made sure that he tasted our champagne and told him our story,” he concluded.

Given that Brad Pitt has already been successful at launching the Château Miraval Rosé brand from Provence, who knows….. perhaps he will consider a champagne house in the future.