November 16th, 2023

Regenerative Viticulture in the Heart of Costières de Nîmes

Château de Nages and its sister estate Domaine Gassier are the first vineyard estates in France to be certified in regenerative agriculture — a rigorous, results-based certification covering the entire operation from vine to bottle, granted by A Greener World (AGW) in 2023. Under the initiative of 5th-generation winemaker Isabel Gassier, this milestone makes Famille Gassier the pioneer of certified regenerative viticulture in France.

What Benefits Does Regenerative Agriculture Offer Us?

AUTHENTIC WINES WITH A SENSE OF PLACE: Focusing on soil regeneration, regenerative agriculture bolsters the vitality of our vines, enhancing the quality of our grapes and wines. Our wines stand out for their true expression of terroir and freshness.

BALANCING ECOLOGY WITH ECONOMICS: Regenerative agriculture helps us achieve both environmental and economic goals: vineyard autonomy, ecosystem biodiversity, quality workplace life, and profitability.

COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE AT OUR LEVEL : Improving soil structure and water retention aids in carbon sequestration, water quality enhancement, and biodiversity enrichment, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Here are some Examples of Our Commitments:

For Soil Regeneration:

Boost soil organic matter by 50%.
Produce and utilize 600 tons of our compost.
Limit soil tilling to less than 40% of our plots.

For Diversifying Crops and Reforestation:

Experiment with mixed fruit farming in one of our plots.
Plant tree lines on the north side of our crops.

For Creating Natural Habitats:

Plant 500 meters of native hedges annually.
Restore the natural course of the stream that runs through our property.
Allocate at least 20% of our land to pastures and meadows.

Incorporating Animals:

Continue providing grazing land to local shepherds.
Install bird boxes every 50 to 60 meters.

Michel and Isabel Gassier