Rhône Valley Sets €170 per Hectoliter Reference Price for Organic Red Wines Amid Profitability Concerns

In the Rhône Valley, wine producers and industry representatives have agreed on new reference prices for organic and HVE-certified red wines from the Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Rhône Villages appellations. The initiative, led by Inter Rhône, aims to support growers who have adopted environmentally friendly practices but face financial challenges due to higher production costs.

The agreement introduces non-binding orientation prices based on production costs and market realities. For the 2025 campaign, the recommended price is set at €130 per hectoliter for Côtes-du-Rhône reds certified as High Environmental Value (HVE), and €170 per hectoliter for those certified organic. These figures were determined by two interprofessional commissions that analyzed both economic sustainability and current market conditions.

The move comes as many winegrowers in the region express concerns about the profitability of sustainable viticulture. Some have considered abandoning environmental certifications due to insufficient returns. Damien Gilles, president of the Côtes-du-Rhône winegrowers’ union, said that these reference prices are intended as a collective benchmark to prevent further weakening of the sector. He emphasized that while the prices are not mandatory, they provide guidance for negotiations between producers and buyers.

The agreement is set for two years but includes provisions for renegotiation if there are significant changes in production costs, yields, regulations, or market trends. The parties involved—the interprofessional body, the producers’ union, and the merchants’ union—have all endorsed the deal.

This development was made possible by recent changes in European regulations. These allow agricultural producers to act collectively in pursuit of environmental objectives, even if it means temporarily setting aside certain competition rules. The goal is to ensure that environmental commitments do not undermine the economic viability of farms.

The Rhône Valley is one of France’s largest wine regions, with thousands of growers producing both conventional and certified wines. In recent years, more estates have sought organic or HVE certification in response to consumer demand and regulatory pressure. However, these certifications often require additional investments in vineyard management and compliance.

Industry observers say that establishing reference prices could help stabilize incomes for growers who invest in sustainable practices. It may also encourage more producers to maintain or adopt environmental certifications at a time when climate change and market volatility pose ongoing challenges for French viticulture.