Champagne, but local newspaper
L’Union reported 14 animals were believed to have been stolen at the beginning of January.
Moët & Chandon has been using the vineyard to test new forms of sustainable farming in Champagne.
L’Union quoted Reynald Loiseau, a vineyard manager at Moët, as saying that the sheep were part of a trial of eco-pasture at the vineyard.
He said he was informed of the theft by a shepherd who had been looking after the flock.
A study published in 2017 in the
Journal of Agronomy for Sustainable Development found that the use of sheep in vineyards in New Zealand suggested there could be ‘large ecological benefits’ to the method.
The Drinks Business
08 January 2021 By Patrick Schmitt
Moët & Chandon has lost a flock of 14 sheep in a bizarre raid on its experimental eco-vineyard right at the start of the new year.
Animals can be used to keep grass and weeds down in vineyards, like these ‘babydoll’ sheep employed at Yealands in Marlborough New Zealand â a special miniature breed that are too short to nibble the bunches.
According to
LâUnion â the website and newspaper for the Champagne region â the worldâs largest Champagne producer has suffered a theft at its plot in Aÿ, where it has been trialling more sustainable viticultural management.