The Maison Ferrand, proudly located in the heart of the Cognac region, is facing unprecedented climate challenges. As the sky pours down the equivalent of two years’ worth of rain in just a few months, its vineyards, freshly embraced by moisture, must survive unpredictable conditions. With a centuries-old tradition and unwavering adaptability, the Maison Ferrand stands out by innovating in its agricultural practices. Through thoughtful cover cropping and the use of natural phytosanitary products, it manages to preserve the vitality of its emblematic grape varieties such as ugni-blanc, colombard, and folle blanche. Thus, in the face of insidious diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew, and black rot, this venerable house reaffirms its resilience while preserving the very essence of its precious eaux-de-vie.
The Maison Ferrand: A Savior for the Grape Harvest of its Cognacs
The Maison Ferrand, a renowned producer of cognac, has faced serious climatological challenges between November 2023 and June 2024, during which two years’ worth of precipitation fell in just eight months. Under the leadership of Corentin Negre, vineyard manager, strategies have been implemented to protect the vines, predominantly planted with ugni-blanc, from excess water and diseases.
In response to a high disease pressure, treatments using natural products made from seaweed and nettles have been applied, limiting the use of phytosanitary products. Despite the complications caused by continuous rain, the team has adopted a new complete cover crop to drain the water, thus maintaining viability under difficult conditions.
Climate change also contributes to advancing the harvest date each year, forcing the Maison Ferrand to continuously innovate in its farming methods, thus preserving the unique aroma of its eaux-de-vie.
Adaptation to Climate Variability
The Maison Ferrand, rooted in the Cognac region since 1989, has never ceased to innovate to protect its vineyards against the harshness of the climate. The year 2024 has been particularly challenging, marked by heavy rainfall that required heightened vigilance. Corentin Negre, the vineyard manager of the Maison, emphasizes that the equivalent of two years’ worth of rain fell between November 2023 and June 2024. This climatic challenge did not spare the planted grape varieties, which are predominantly composed of ugni-blanc, but also colombard and folle blanche. These grape varieties, traditional to the Cognac appellation, suffered from excessive moisture, affecting their vigor and making them more vulnerable to diseases.
Strategies for Preserving the Vines
In response to the increased pressure from diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew, and black rot, and with close monitoring of climatic conditions, the Maison Ferrand has adapted its farming practices. A significant reduction in the doses of traditional phytosanitary products has been implemented, thus preserving the health of the vines while respecting the standards of the Cognac Environmental Certification. At the same time, formulations based on seaweed and nettles have been employed to encourage plant growth. This use of natural products has allowed for the maintenance of optimal yield quality, while respecting an economic balance. The importance of cover cropping has been reassessed to facilitate mechanized passes on waterlogged soils.
Impact of Storms and Future Adaptations
The contrast between spring and summer 2024, punctuated by violent storms such as that of September 20, has put large parts of the vineyard to the test. Beyond the damage caused by hail, already mentioned on social networks, the Maison Ferrand is now focusing on a strategy of adaptation of its farming practices to climate variability, continuously adjusting the work dynamics according to the affected parcels. The harvest dates, historically advanced due to increasingly mild winters, continue to pose a challenge, as mentioned by the farm manager. Anticipation and innovation remain the keywords to ensure that each harvest remains synonymous with quality, despite the challenges that climate change may pose. For more information on forecasts and viticultural practices, consult reliable sources, or to understand viticulture in the current context, explore.
