You’re not quite sure what you’re seeing at first. Columns of peachy pink, yellow and ochre rise up out of the wildflowers, forming a mysterious pattern in the heart of a vineyard. Are they relics of a long-lost civilisation? Or a secret scientific project?
The truth is even more special.
More than meets the eye
Created in partnership with design studio Formafantasma, 74 terracotta pillars – some shorter, some taller – encircle what appears, at first sight, to be an overgrown patch of land. Has it been forgotten? Uncared for and neglected? Far from it – this is the latest innovation from Maison Perrier-Jouët, and the new pride of its vineyards: Biodiversity Island.
These striking pillars are more than just decorative – each houses perfectly-sized hollows precisely engineered to make the ideal home for the Champagne region’s abundance of wildlife – from birds and wasps to butterflies and bats. By giving them a precious refuge in the middle of the vines, Perrier-Jouët is rebuilding the natural, beneficial symbiosis of the landscape.
Biodiversity Island, like all of Maison Perrier-Jouët’s efforts to make wine sustainably, is grounded in the most rigorous sustainability practice. That’s why it took two years to go from initial idea to launch, under the guidance of ecosystem management experts.
The project will be truly revolutionary – nurturing local biodiversity, and in turn enriching the soil of Perrier-Jouët’s vineyards, 40% of which are already part of the Maison’s visionary regenerative viticulture programme.
A vision to change the face of Champagne
Biodiversity Island is just the first step along a journey Perrier-Jouët has titled Cohabitare – a series of bold projects protecting the balance between nature and the art of winemaking for years to come.
To mark this first chapter, Formafantasma have created beautiful limited-edition packaging for two cuvées – Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2016 and Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs – reinterpreting the Maison’s iconic art nouveau designs with flora and fauna found in the vineyards today.
So the next time you open a bottle, think of the haven that is Biodiversity Island. And as you savour the floral notes for which these champagnes are renowned, you’re also tasting the natural harmony that, through craft and care, Maison Perrier-Jouët is safeguarding for the future.
Discover more about Maison Perrier-Jouët
Connect onFacebook | Instagram | X | Youtube
-
Selvanella: A Chianti Classico pioneerIn 1969, when Chianti Classico was still dominated by blends and bulk production, one estate put the name of its vineyard on the label. It was an act of conviction that still defines it today.
-
Gavi: Piedmont’s hidden gemSponsored Content Set between the Apennines and the Ligurian coast, Gavi combines medieval charm, distinctive gastronomy and one of Italy’s finest wines.
-
Cuatro Rayas: Past-proofing the futureResponsible for the largest area under vine in Rueda, this forward-thinking wine cooperative has embraced its role as the custodian of an invaluable natural and cultural heritage.
-
Cantina Tollo: Business not as usualSponsored Content In the heart of Abruzzo, Cantina Tollo is proving that cooperatives are becoming a key source of quality wine. The benchmark producer shows how a long-term vision can balance tradition and innovation to create a truly sustainable business – and some very serious wines.
-
Two different faces of Tuscany: Castello di Radda and Cantina Fabio MottaSponsored Content For 50 years the Agricole Gussalli Beretta group has been dedicated to producing wines of the highest quality in Italy’s most prestigious wine-growing regions.
-
Tenuta Il Finale – Shining a spotlight on Piedmont’s land and grapesSponsored Content A friendship forged through the world of business led three wine lovers to the steep hills of Piedmont, where they are championing the region’s local varieties.
-
Bordeaux whites and crémants: Energy, freshness and renewalSponsored Content A deep dive into the new-wave dry white and sparkling wines from a region undergoing a vibrant renaissance creating crisp, lively expressions that blend Atlantic freshness, historical roots, and modern innovation for everyday enjoyment.
-
Explore Spain with Pata NegraSponsored Content Celebrate the exciting diversity of the Spanish wine scene with the pioneering umbrella brand that brings together a selection of top denominations under just one label. The Pata Negra range allows you to explore regions from Rioja to Rueda – and beyond.
