Leonardo DiCaprio’s Sustainable Champagne: Champagne Telmont’s Green Journey

Ludovic du Plessis, President of Champagne Telmont, shares a fascinating journey of how his friendship with Leonardo DiCaprio has inspired the Champagne brand to become one of the most sustainable companies in the French Champagne region. Their partnership is not just a personal friendship but a powerful commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and regenerative agriculture.

Ludovic met Leonardo DiCaprio about 15 years ago, and their connection blossomed into a professional collaboration. DiCaprio’s advocacy for sustainability and environmental causes caught Ludovic’s attention, influencing his vision for Champagne Telmont. Today, this inspiration has transformed Champagne Telmont into a beacon of green practices in the Champagne region.

One of the key facets of their sustainability drive is Champagne Telmont’s commitment to organic and regenerative agriculture. The company not only converts all of its vineyards to organic but also plays a pivotal role in reducing bottle weights to minimize carbon footprints. This ambitious approach aligns with the Comité Champagne’s goal for all producers to achieve 100% organic certification by 2030.

Ludovic and Leonardo DiCaprio co-invest in Champagne Telmont, alongside other partners such as Bertrand Lhôpital, the company’s winemaker, and Rémy Cointreau, a spirits and champagne group.

Organic Grapes: The Backbone of Champagne Telmont’s Green Strategy

Champagne Telmont was established in 1912 but didn’t achieve its first organic vineyard certification until 2017. The cooler climate and abundant rainfall in the Champagne region make it challenging to convert vineyards to organic farming due to potential issues like mildew pressure, but the Comité Champagne has set a goal for all producers to be 100% certified by 2030.

Today, only 4% of Champagne vineyards carry organic certification, but Champagne Telmont has already certified 72% of its 24.5 hectares (60.5 acres) as organic. The company is working closely with local growers to help them adopt organic practices too.

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

Ludovic believes that organic farming is not just beneficial for the environment and human health but also enhances wine quality.

Ludovic and his team tasted the company’s 100% organic champagne, ‘Telmont Champagne 2017 Réserve De La Terre,’ and found it vibrant, with notes of ripe apple, white peach, and hints of orange pith, all encased in textured bubbles. This champagne, priced at $102, has received a 94-point rating according to a Forbes review.

Champagne Telmont also produces three other champagnes made with some organic grapes, which are slightly more affordable but cannot yet be labeled as fully organic. One such offering is the Telmont Reserve Brut at $75, distinguished by its big, rich style and classic toasty, nutty nose, complemented by creamy lemon brule and yellow apple notes. This champagne secured a 92-point rating.

The current portfolio also includes the Telmont Vinothèque 2012 at $97 and the Telmont Blanc de Blanc 2012 at $119. Champagne Telmont plans to convert all their champagnes to 100% organic in the future.

The Multi-Faceted Green Business Strategy of Champagne Telmont

Champagne Telmont has set ambitious sustainability targets for itself, aiming to become Climate-Positive by 2030 and Net Positive by 2050, meaning it will reduce its CO2 emissions by at least 90%. In addition to making its vineyards 100% organic, the company is focusing on seven other key aspects of its green business strategy:

1. Biodiversity: Champagne Telmont is planting 2,500 different shrubs and plants on and around the vineyard to foster biodiversity, enhancing insect, bird, bee, and animal populations. This aligns with regenerative agriculture practices, creating more resilient ecosystems capable of adapting to climate change.

2. Lower Weight Bottles: In partnership with the glassmaker Verallia, Champagne Telmont has pioneered the use of lighter bottles weighing 800 grams, reducing CO2 emissions per bottle by 4%, compared to traditional bottles.

3. Less Packaging & Recycled Glass: The company has eliminated unnecessary packaging boxes and switched to green glass bottles, composed of 85% recycled glass, further reducing its carbon footprint.

4. Renewable (Solar) Energy: Champagne Telmont is committed to using 100% renewable energy, investing in solar power and transitioning to electric vehicles.

5. Green Distribution: The company is working with distributors who use biofuel vehicles and has banned air shipments in favor of sail-powered Neoline ships, reducing their carbon emissions during transport.

6. Transparency in Labeling: Champagne Telmont has introduced new labels made from recycled materials, disclosing detailed information on winemaking methods, grape percentages, and sugar levels (dosage), along with individual bottle numbering for easy traceability.

7. Social Responsibility Efforts: Champagne Telmont has actively contributed to social equality, hiring 50% women in employee roles. The assistant winemaker (cellar master) is a woman, Aurore Guerlesquin, who is undergoing training under Head Cellar Master Bertrand Lhôpital. Additionally, the company has developed a 46-page guide on sustainability in Champagne, available for free online to support other wineries in their sustainability efforts.

See the TikTok video below where Ludovic du Plessis discusses the importance of sustainability at Champagne Telmont.

Celebrity Endorsements and Future Potential

Ludovic stated, “We do all of this for Mother Nature and include that message on our labels. We are having fun and aiming to be leaders in sustainability, but we recognize there is still a long path ahead.”

During a recent party at Leonardo DiCaprio’s residence, Ludovic shared his company’s story with renowned actor Brad Pitt, who also sampled Champagne Telmont’s organic Reserve De La Terre. Given Pitt’s past ventures in winemaking, such as Château Miraval Rosé from Provence, there are high hopes that he might consider a champagne venture in the future.

Champagne Telmont’s commitment to sustainability and quality sets a new standard in the champagne industry, making it a blueprint for other wineries looking to integrate green practices into their operations.

If you’re passionate about sustainable practices and enjoying high-quality, eco-friendly champagne, Champagne Telmont offers a range of organic and beautifully crafted bottles that cater to various tastes and occasions.

To stay updated on the latest developments and initiatives from Champagne Telmont, follow their journey on their website or social media platforms. Share your thoughts on sustainable winemaking in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to receive more such engaging articles.