Covid-19: What impact on the French vineyards?

As lockdown measures appear to be prolonged, many economic sectors are affected and the domaine The wine industry is also struggling. Winegrowers are appealing for help: between respecting social distancing measures, lockdowns, and economic challenges, French vineyards must adapt. The producers we work with shared their difficulties with us, but also the solutions they are implementing in this challenging context. Let's delve into the heart of the vineyards together to get a sense of the state of French wine production.

The challenges in the vineyard 

France is under lockdown, but the vineyards are not. At this time of year, the vines awaken from their winter slumber, and vineyard work must adapt. Arnaud de Laforcade at Château Cheval Blanc He echoes Voltaire's words and reminds us that we must cultivate our garden. He describes how the activities in the vineyard (the completion of vine pruning, the end of bending, replanting, and bud thinning) take place "in a unique atmosphere." Indeed, social distancing measures do not stop at the vineyard gates. 

To achieve this, the teams are continuing their work while adapting: 

• At Clos Pebbles, has Châteauneuf-du-PapeThe employees travel to the vineyards on their own, thus avoiding overcrowding in cars. The principles of agriculture in Biodynamics continue to be applied at all costs. 

• HAS Bordeaux, At Château Cheval Blanc, We work on every other row and the break room is closed. Everyone has more time and silence to observe the surrounding nature, the awakening of plants and insects, leading to the activity of songbirds, then that of birds of prey, geese and cranes that pass by again, virus or not.

• For Alexis Gerin has Côte-Rôtie5 meters separate the team members, who are no more than 2 per vine. 

Generally, the estates rely on their permanent staff to carry out the tasks. They are practicing social distancing but continuing work in the vineyards because spring is a very important period for vineyard development.

Unwavering cohesion

As the team from Domaine Alain Voge in Rhône ValleyThe situation is paradoxical because, just as administrative staff are being asked to return home, the search for seasonal vineyard workers is in full swing. Maintenance tasks such as clearing brush, bud removal, and tying the vines will begin soon. Following the recent appeal from farmers for more labor, some winegrowers will need volunteers.

We also hope that the weather conditions will be favorable for the vines. BordeauxAnti-freeze equipment has been installed but not yet used. This issue of spring frost could make things even more difficult for some sectors that may lack financial and human resources.

New organization at the winery

In the winery too, the situation is unprecedented and requires some adjustments. During this bottling period, some, fortunately, hadn't planned for it, while others have had to adapt.

When the Château Cheval Blanc ensures the extraction, at Alain Voge“Cellar work is reduced to the bare minimum, in accordance with social distancing precautions.” This ensures we have wines to drink this year. However, some concessions have been made: the secondary fermentation of la cuvée Alain's bubbles, for example, have been postponed.

If the situation were to continue, solutions would need to be found to ensure bottling and continuity of production.

Decreased consumption: the big challenge 

We've seen a surge in shoppers at essential stores. The situation is very different for wine producers. The halt in cellar door sales, the closure of restaurants, and the restrictions on international trade have reduced the number of orders. Many independent winemakers don't sell their wines in supermarkets. The reopening of wine shops isn't enough to make up for the lack of orders.

As we are reminded Lionel Fraisse of Domaine Alain VogeSome estates are luckier than others. They can rely on their wines' ability to improve with age. This quiet period also gives them the opportunity to reflect on the meaning and strategy of... domaine. HAS Bordeaux This respite is also being used to “to think about ways to help the restaurant sector” or the means “to adapt the marketing strategy in the context of the health crisis”. For Marilou VacheronThis period allows us to taste and rediscover old vintages of Clos of the Rock.

They are all worried about their domaine but also for all players in the sector. Arnaud de Laforcade mentions trading partners, retailers in France and around the world, sommeliers, etc., affected by this crisis. Lionel Fraisse It highlights the profound financial and human impact this pandemic will have on the sector. The crisis affects not only individual areas but the entire production and distribution chain.

A way out of the crisis is on the horizon

In this challenging context, everyone appreciates being able to rely on their united teams. They hope to emerge from this crisis as quickly as possible. While production and sales can currently be maintained, many unknowns—such as the duration of the crisis—make the situation even more difficult.

Understandably, France and its vineyards are going through a difficult period. CavissimaWe hope that these producers will continue to delight us with their wonderful vintages!

While we wait to be able to visit the cellars of these lovely estates again and return to our restaurants, we, as consumers, mustn't forget to support our producers. After all, what could be better than a good bottle of wine? It would be the perfect accompaniment to our pasta dishes and drinks by the window!