In France, a winery is replacing vineyards with agave due to drought

In the French department of Gard, the winery Maison Chapoutier has started cultivating agave instead of traditional grapes. This decision was prompted by a prolonged drought that significantly affected the condition of the vineyards and rendered some land unsuitable for viticulture.

This is reported by AgroReview

The First Agave Plantations in France

Project leader Karel Obino reported that in June 2025, 2,000 agave plants were planted on a 1-hectare plot in the municipality of Valliguières, near Remoulins. The cultivation of this crop follows Mexican techniques, which involve a spacing of 1 meter between plants and carefully prepared planting holes to enhance the survival of the agave. According to Obino, it will take 10 to 15 years to harvest, but agave has a significant advantage due to its drought resistance and low water requirements.

“Previously, there were 35 hectares, now only 20 remain. The grapes are suffering from the heat, so we are looking for alternatives,” the farmer explained.

The Advantages of Agave in New Climate Conditions

Agave is well adapted to the dry, rocky soils abundant in the Gard region and requires minimal irrigation. The only significant risk for this crop, according to Karel Obino, is the potential for winter frosts, which could negatively impact the plants. The new plantation, like the vineyards of Maison Chapoutier, is planned to be managed according to organic farming standards, which will help maintain the ecological purity of the products and support the sustainable development of the farm.

Maison Chapoutier has been investing in the lands of Gard since 2015. However, due to climate change, the area of vineyards has decreased from 35 to 20 hectares, forcing the company to seek alternatives to traditional viticulture.