While many wine projects are emerging in new regions of France, it is not possible to freely plant vines everywhere in France.
The regime of "planting authorisations", effective since 2016, has succeeded the "planting rights". It aims to regulate wine production in each vineyard but now allows vines to be planted in new regions. Let's decipher planting authorisations.
The European Union decided in 2007 to completely liberalize the planting of vines in Europe by abolishing the "planting rights", that is to say by allowing everyone and everywhere in Europe to plant the surfaces of vineyard that he wishes. Faced with the outcry of European professionals, a system of regulation of vineyards is finally maintained at least until 2030.
The planting of new vines had been prohibited since 1953. New "planting rights" could be granted by providing proof of economic opportunities that would not have disturbed the industry. In the event of the uprooting of a vineyard, the winegrower was granted "planting rights" authorizing him to replant an equivalent surface area, rights that were transferable. The Management Organizations of each appellation defined eligibility and priority criteria.
In the new regime in place since 2016, the planting of new vines by each member state is authorized within the limit of 1% growth per year. The lifespan of these authorizations is greatly reduced (3 years against 8 years previously) and their transfer is impossible.
Holders of "planting rights" have been able to transform them into "planting authorizations" and the paper procedures have been replaced by teleprocedures.
The maximum growth of 1% is defined at national level. This area can be limited at the national or local level in case of oversupply or in case of risk of important depreciation of a geographical indication (PDO or PGI).
Thus, after consultation with the Management Bodies, a ministerial decree defines each year the surface that can be planted in each geographical area (see the decree of February 21, 2022) and according to the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and PGI (Wines without Geographical Indication).
The differences in authorized surface are very important between the vineyards :
Outside of the current vineyards, the planting of new areas is most often limited only by the national ceiling of 1% of the vineyard area.
It is therefore relatively easy to obtain planting permits in the center and northwest of France.
In order to plant your vines you must consult the limitations of each territory and obtain these famous "planting permits" by making a request on the online portals (https://portailweb.franceagrimer.fr/portail/ ) within the allotted time (generally in the spring).
Plantations intended for experimentation, family consumption (and the like), graft nurseries and planted areas that have been lost due to expropriation in the public interest are exempt from prior authorization for planting.
The 1% growth in the national vineyard surface area opens up new perspectives. The current global warming is bringing out projects in regions where plantations were historically very little present, notably in Brittany, Normandy, ...
Today, the planting of vines is subject to the law. It is important to inform yourself in order to be able to plant your vines in all legality. However, some plantations are free outside of defined wine-growing territories or even exempted from prior authorization for certain specific reasons.
After reading this article, you would like to invest in a vineyard? Would you like to have some additional information in order to be accompanied in this investment?
Once you have found your dream plot on ma-propriete.fr, do not hesitate to contact the expert in charge of this property. He will be able to answer all your questions so that you can exploit your forest in the best possible way!
