For decades, the wine industry's primary focus has been directed toward the vineyard's visible elements: vine health, grape quality, and ultimately the excellence of the wine itself.
Today, however, a fundamental shift is underway. Increasingly, attention is turning beneath the surface—to the soil, a complex and often overlooked ecosystem that is proving to be one of the most critical factors in the future resilience of wine production.
This growing awareness was once again at the center of discussions during the third edition of the World Living Soils Forum (WLFS), held on June 3-4, 2026, at the LUMA cultural center in Arles, Provence. The international forum, initiated by Moët Hennessy, the Wines & Spirits division of the LVMH Group, and co-organized with ChangeNOW, has rapidly become one of the most influential global platforms dedicated to soil regeneration, regenerative agriculture, and climate resilience.
The event brought together researchers, scientists, wine producers, agricultural experts, policymakers, journalists, trade associations, and business leaders from around the world. Their shared objective was clear: to place soil health at the center of agricultural and environmental strategies.
The World Living Soils Forum is founded on a simple but powerful conviction: healthy soils are among the planet's most valuable natural resources. Their regeneration is essential not only for adapting to climate change but also for protecting biodiversity, preserving water resources, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems, including viticulture.
The forum pursues four key goals: connecting stakeholders working on soil regeneration, sharing practical solutions for regenerative agriculture, strengthening collaboration between science and field implementation, and developing reliable methodologies to measure soil health.
A central voice during the event was Antoine Arnault, Director of Image, Communications and Environment at LVMH, who delivered a strong message about the strategic importance of soil within the group's sustainability agenda.
According to Arnault, soil is frequently treated as a simple physical support for agriculture, yet it represents the foundation of life itself. Every ecosystem, every agricultural product, and every terroir begins with healthy soil. This perspective has become a cornerstone of LVMH's environmental strategy, which remains unchanged despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges.
Arnault emphasized that climate change does not pause during periods of economic difficulty, and therefore sustainability commitments must remain constant regardless of market conditions. In fact, LVMH has chosen not only to maintain its environmental objectives but to accelerate them.
This commitment is deeply rooted within the group's corporate culture. Since establishing one of the world's first corporate environmental departments in 1992 under the leadership of Bernard Arnault, LVMH has progressively expanded its sustainability initiatives. The latest roadmap, LIFE 360, launched in 2021, integrates environmental responsibility across all business sectors, from wines and spirits to fashion, cosmetics, jewelry, retail, and hospitality.
The transformation is increasingly visible throughout the group's operations. Production sites now incorporate renewable energy systems, solar installations, sustainable construction materials, and biodiversity-friendly landscapes. Logistics networks have been redesigned to reduce transportation-related emissions, while packaging solutions increasingly rely on recycled and bio-based materials without compromising product quality or luxury positioning.
Within the wine and spirits division, perhaps the most profound transformation has occurred in the vineyards themselves. Traditional monocultural landscapes are gradually being replaced by more diverse ecosystems that include hedgerows, trees, shrubs, and cover crops. These practices contribute to improved soil structure, enhanced biodiversity, greater carbon sequestration, and increased water retention capacity.
For Arnault, the health of living soils has become the defining environmental challenge for wine production. Healthy soils play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by storing carbon, support approximately half of terrestrial biodiversity, and improve water management by retaining moisture and reducing runoff. Most importantly for winegrowers, they preserve and strengthen the expression of terroir—the unique interaction between soil, climate, and vineyard that defines wine identity.
As climate pressures intensify, protecting terroirs has become a strategic priority. Many of LVMH's prestigious wine estates represent centuries of viticultural heritage, making the preservation of soil quality not only an environmental responsibility but also an economic necessity.
Scientific research and innovation have become essential tools in achieving this objective. Over recent years, LVMH has expanded regenerative agriculture programs throughout its supply chains, collaborating closely with growers and agricultural partners. These initiatives extend beyond vineyards to include projects involving regenerative cotton production and biodiversity conservation across multiple continents.
The company also highlighted its broader environmental impact through partnerships such as those with UNESCO. In 2025 alone, LVMH contributed to the restoration of one million hectares of natural habitats worldwide, demonstrating how corporate sustainability efforts can extend beyond direct supply chains.
Perhaps the most compelling evidence presented during the forum came from practical field experience. According to Arnault, vineyards implementing cover crops and regenerative practices have shown measurable improvements in soil quality after only a few years. These healthier soils are better equipped to absorb and retain water, significantly reducing the risk of flooding and erosion.
Recent extreme weather events in southern France provided a striking example. Vineyards managed under regenerative principles reportedly remained largely unaffected by torrential rainfall thanks to improved water retention capacity, while nearby conventionally managed vineyards experienced severe flooding and soil degradation.
The message emerging from the World Living Soils Forum is increasingly clear: regenerative agriculture is no longer an experimental concept but a proven strategy capable of delivering tangible environmental and economic benefits.
Recognizing the scale of global ecological challenges, LVMH also announced its intention to expand the governance structure of the World Living Soils Forum by welcoming additional companies committed to soil regeneration. The goal is to accelerate knowledge sharing, foster innovation, and strengthen international collaboration around regenerative agricultural practices.
As the forum continues to grow, it is establishing itself as a leading platform for advancing practical solutions in soil health, biodiversity protection, carbon sequestration, and water conservation.
For the wine industry, the implications are profound. The future of premium wine production may depend as much on what lies beneath the vines as on the grapes themselves. Healthy soils are increasingly recognized not merely as an agricultural asset but as the foundation of resilience, sustainability, and terroir expression.
In an era defined by climate uncertainty, the regeneration of living soils is emerging as one of the wine world's most important long-term investments—one that could shape the future of vineyards, wine quality, and environmental stewardship for generations to come.
Source: WineNews