Regenerative viticulture in France
Co-design
Regenerative viticulture in France
An initial feasibility study focused on Château de Pommard in the Côte de Beaune wine-producing region in France, with the aim of pioneering a demonstration site for regenerative wine production.
Grounded in the CBA’s Principles for Regenerative Landscapes, the proposed approach combines vitiforestry (the integration of trees and shrubs within or around vineyard plots), redesigned open spaces, enhanced biodiversity, and continuous scientific monitoring to create a multifunctional, climate resilient vineyard landscape.
Although the Living Lab may not proceed to full implementation, the feasibility phase already generated valuable insights into the potential of regenerative viticulture.
About the project
The Living Lab concept includes:
- an initial ~1 hectare vitiforestry pilot site
- new hedgerows and tree systems
- naturalistic and vitiforestry gardens
- a regenerative pathway network
These are all intended to regenerate soils, expand functional biodiversity, and strengthen microclimatic buffers while maintaining compliance with the strict Pommard appellation requirements.
Highlights
- Benefits of trees
The study showed that integrating trees within vineyard systems can enhance carbon sequestration, restore ecological connectivity, and reduce climate vulnerability, supported by robust monitoring tools such as microclimate sensors, drones, and biodiversity assessments. It also confirmed how rare scientifically designed vitiforestry systems remain in modern European viticulture, highlighting the opportunity for significant innovation and leadership. - Lessons learned
The study demonstrates how a globally recognised wine landscape could serve as a blueprint for regenerative production, combining high-quality wine output with landscape restoration, visitor engagement, and climate adaptation. The feasibility work has produced a replicable framework, design scenarios, and evidence-based principles that can inform broader efforts to scale regenerative viticulture – an area where well-documented, scientifically monitored case studies are still scarce.
