Abandoned Vineyards in France’s Touraine Region Raise Alarms for Wine Industry

In the heart of France’s Touraine region, a recent survey has revealed that 355 hectares of vineyards are currently abandoned across the departments of Indre-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher. The inventory, conducted at the end of 2024, was initiated by the Organisme de Défense et de Gestion (ODG) Touraine and the Fédération Viticole 37-41, with support from local agricultural chambers. The findings highlight a growing concern for the area’s wine industry, as more than 900 parcels of land have been left uncultivated.

The problem is particularly acute in the AOC Touraine and AOC Bourgueil appellations. In Loir-et-Cher alone, 214 hectares of vines are no longer maintained, spread over 476 parcels. Most of these are within the AOC Touraine, with an additional 20 hectares identified in AOC Cheverny Cour-Cheverny. In Indre-et-Loire, 141 hectares of abandoned vines were recorded across 490 parcels. More than a third of these—55.5 hectares—are located in AOC Bourgueil.

The survey was carried out by Louise Trichet, a master’s student in geography and environmental planning at Poitiers University. Working alongside ODG representatives and local winegrowers, she visited each appellation to document the extent of vineyard abandonment. The results have raised alarms among industry leaders and local authorities.

Vincent Delanoue, vice president of ODG Bourgueil, explained that some abandoned plots have already been uprooted, especially in areas targeted for flavescence dorée disease control. He noted that the threat of a €1,500 fine under new legislation has prompted some owners to take action. However, many neglected vineyards are old, with missing vines or are located near homes or in frost-prone zones. In some cases, landowners have left their plots unattended for years in hopes that the land might eventually be approved for construction.

Jean-Luc Duveau, president of ODG Bourgueil, acknowledged that more vineyards could be abandoned in the future. He attributed this trend partly to ongoing restructuring within the region’s wine sector, as growers focus on cultivating only the best terroirs.

In Indre-et-Loire, aside from Bourgueil, 41.6 hectares of non-cultivated vines were found in AOC Touraine near Amboise. Other affected areas include AOC Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon and St-Nicolas.

Isabelle Defrocourt and Camille Roubière, directors of FAV 41 and FAV 37-72 respectively, praised Trichet’s thorough work in providing a clear diagnosis and suggesting possible solutions. They announced plans to develop a comprehensive strategy to address vineyard abandonment. This initiative will involve broad-based steering committees including ODGs, regional agricultural authorities (Draaf), departmental directorates (DDT), Safer (land management agency), Fredon (plant health organization), local councils, community groups, regional winegrowers’ unions and customs officials.

The rise in abandoned vineyards is seen as both a symptom of economic challenges facing small winegrowers and a risk for disease spread within the region’s renowned appellations. The new plan aims to coordinate efforts among stakeholders to restore or repurpose these lands and protect the future of Touraine’s viticultural heritage.