CNAOC Opens General Assembly to 58,000 French Winegrowers Amid Rising Concerns Over AOC and Financial Strains

The National Confederation of Producers of Wines and Wine Spirits with Controlled Designations of Origin (CNAOC) will hold its next general assembly on November 25, starting at 9 a.m. The meeting will be held online and, for the first time, will be open to all 58,000 winegrowers in France. This new format aims to bring the organization closer to the concerns of wine producers across the country.

Jérôme Bauer, president of the CNAOC, explained that this approach is intended to give every winegrower a chance to participate in the debate, stay informed, and contribute ideas. “With this innovative format, our goal is to be as close as possible to the concerns of winegrowers,” Bauer said. “We want to address all those who wish to take part in the discussion. Some will surely have innovative ideas. I expect a lot from this. We can complain, but we also need to take action. It’s the collective effort that moves us forward.”

Bauer emphasized that participants will have full freedom to decide which topics are discussed during the assembly. By joining the meeting, winegrowers can ask questions and steer the conversation toward issues that matter most to them. The CNAOC plans to respond as best as possible to these concerns through various workshops during the event.

As of October 28, several key themes have emerged from feedback received by the confederation. According to Bauer, about 60 percent of responses focus on the future of AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) and INAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality). Many winegrowers are interested in how specifications might evolve and how processes could be simplified. The second most common topic is related to markets and economic conditions, while the third concerns wine consumption and health.

Some questions raised by participants have surprised organizers. For example, there has been interest in whether agrivoltaics—combining agriculture with solar energy production—is compatible with AOC regulations. Other questions include whether it would be possible to segment AOCs differently or why subsidies are given both for planting new vines and for uprooting or distilling existing ones. Some winegrowers have asked if it would be better to focus on a single, more impactful measure.

Financial issues have also come up more frequently than expected. Winegrowers are increasingly concerned about unpaid invoices from clients and cash flow problems caused by longer payment delays and more cautious banks. Bauer noted that until now, banking issues were not a primary focus for the confederation, but recent feedback suggests they may need more attention.

The CNAOC hopes that opening its general assembly in this way will encourage greater participation and help address a wider range of issues facing French winegrowers today. The organization believes that by dedicating just three hours of their time, producers can help shape decisions that affect their industry’s future.