2010 has been officially declared “year of biodiversity” by the UNO. Ever since, a multitude of regional surveys of the flora and fauna in many countries, as well as work programmes to enhance agricultural environments have been established. In the Mediterranean vineyards of the Cotes de Thongue this work has already started several years ago.

Besides preservation and the embellishment of their landscapes, the winegrowers who participate in the programme also hope that natural enemies of plant pests benefit from an improved and balanced environment.

In an article written by Marina de Baleine and published in the Terre de Vin journal, Charles Duby from the Domaine de l’Arjolle explains that “the preservation of biodiversity, requires to create a specific environment: hedges and bushes between the vineyards, natural undergrowth between the vines and as less plant protection treatments as possible.”

After a first survey of the biodiversity of the area between Béziers and Pézenas, many private and cooperative winegrowers participate in the project. But they are already looking ahead.

“We have to share our experience to encourage our neighbours to join in the movement”, Charles Duby says. “The more wine growers participate, the more efficient our project will be.”

Read the entire article on biodiversity in the vineyards of the Côtes de Thongue here (french only)