The ongoing crisis in the Bordeaux wine sector has prompted the Gironde Wine Confederation to propose the creation of a Public Land Establishment (EPF) aimed at managing the reduction of vineyard areas.
On Thursday, October 16, the organization presented this proposal to the Gironde prefecture's winemaking unit, outlining the need for a structured mechanism to acquire vineyards that have been abandoned or lack generational succession. The objective is to prevent producers from accumulating further losses and debts, while facilitating the conversion of these lands to other agricultural uses.
The initiative, which had been previously discussed, received unanimous support from regional stakeholders, including the FDSEA, the Young Farmers Association, the Rural Coordination, the Viti33 collective, the Chamber of Agriculture, the interprofessional association, and cooperatives. According to a statement from the prefecture, a working group will be established to assess the feasibility and framework of this public body. Participants will include local governments, EPF Nouvelle-Aquitaine, SAFER, the Chamber of Agriculture, banking institutions, and professional representatives.
The Confédération Paysanne emphasized that existing measures—such as vine uprooting and wine distillation—are inadequate to address the depth of the current crisis. In its statement, the organization underlined that the persistent decline in wine consumption necessitates a structural adjustment of both production volumes and cultivated area. Estimates suggest that reducing vineyard surface in Gironde by up to 50% could be required, a move that would profoundly impact the local economy and rural livelihoods.
The proposed EPF would serve as an Economic and Social Fund, acquiring vineyards without replacement to enable older winegrowers to retire under fair conditions, while supporting the entry of new producers cultivating alternative crops. Its governance would involve collective management by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the Gironde department, municipal communities, and town councils, alongside organizations such as SAFER, the Chamber of Agriculture, professional agricultural bodies, and environmental associations. Banking institutions are also expected to play a role in ensuring financial sustainability.
According to calculations by the Confédération Paysanne, the acquisition of 30,000 hectares of vineyards at an average price of EUR 6,000 per hectare would require an initial investment of EUR 180 million. This measure would remove approximately 1.2 million hectoliters of wine from the market annually, contributing to price stabilization. Maintaining the same area in production for two years would cost roughly EUR 420 million, a burden that could only be supported through additional producer and supplier debt. Without intervention, the organization warns, financial institutions and suppliers may face even greater losses and unpaid provisions.
The economic and social situation in Bordeaux remains critical. The Confédération Paysanne estimates that 80% of Bordeaux wineries are insolvent, with both stored wines and vineyard land values collapsing. The prefecture’s forthcoming working group will examine concrete steps for implementing the proposed EPF, defining the financial mechanisms and governance required. The initiative seeks to prevent a disorderly conversion of vineyards while ensuring a sustainable restructuring of the region’s viticultural landscape.
Source: Vinetur