Expert view: Champagne unites for harvest worker well-being
To mark Labor Day, in Part 1 of our report on the 2025 Champagne harvest, Westgarth Wines meets David Chatillon, co-chairman of the Comité Champagne Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), on the sector’s new framework for harvest worker safety and producer protection.
“Zero tolerance is not a slogan; it is our policy.” The words of David Chatillon, the co-chairman of the Comité Champagne Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), on the region’s determination to counter a tarnished reputation after poor seasonal worker treatment in the 2023 harvest recently led to the jailing of three harvest crew contractors.
The source of the world’s much-loved méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine, a timeless symbol of celebration, luxury, and heritage, Champagne stakeholders are now taking action to mirror the prestige of its famous bubbles by upholding ethical production standards. The answer? “Les Vendanges Ensemble” or “Together for the Champagne Harvest” initiative.
As the 2025 harvest begins, the appellation is under scrutiny, with around 120,000 seasonal harvest workers arriving across the region to work 34,000 hectares of vines. The work is tough but, under the right conditions, rewarding.
In Part I of our two-part look at the 2025 Champagne harvest, Westgarth Wines spoke with Chatillon about the measures in place under the initiative, to both promote harvest worker welfare and protect stakeholders.
Photo: Alexandre Couvreux
What is the CIVC?
Established in 1941 and headquartered in Épernay, the CIVC operates as the umbrella organisation for the Champagne industry. This interprofessional organisation promotes cooperation between the Syndicat Général de Vignerons de Champagne (SGV) and the Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC), two professional groups representing more than 16,000 winegrowers and 350 Champagne houses. This sectoral alliance, co-headed by David Chatillon representing the Champagne houses, and vigneron Maxime Toubart, who advocates for growers, promotes the common interests of the industry and the appellation.
How does the “Together for the Champagne Harvest” work?
Following the infamous 2023 season, harvest team wellbeing was in the spotlight, alongside the protection of the Champagne region’s name. In line with its mission, the CIVC addressed the challenges facing the industry, responding to both the needs of Champagne professionals and the expectations of seasonal workers.
Following more than a hundred purpose-driven meetings in 2024, when the sector trialed new measures to improve the safety of seasonal workers, “Together for the Champagne Harvest” was born. The initiative takes the form of a series of guides and talks, informing stakeholders of the labor regulations in force. Aimed at making the Champagne harvest more ethical, collaborative, and organized, the scheme brings together four areas of top priority industry focus.
- Health and safety during harvest
- Collective accommodation for seasonal workers
- Service provision
- Recruitment
These guidance documents set out the standards that Champagne wishes to follow for seasonal work. All stakeholders were involved in the process: Champagne winegrowers and houses, government departments, inspection services, Mutualité Sociale Agricole, France Travail, prevention and emergency services, employee unions, and service providers.
“It is now time to roll these out on a large scale. To succeed collectively, everyone must commit individually,” said Chatillon. “Fortunately, the vast majority of professionals are following the rules and are highly committed.”
How to support and measure compliance?
To facilitate contact between service providers and contractors in Champagne, the CIVC has deployed a designated tool: Vitiagros. This platform allows growers access to self-evaluation tools measured against the seasonal employment vineyard safety benchmark, and to all guiding documentation relevant to a particular harvest.
Of prime importance is the introduction of an on-the-ground ‘daily monitoring unit’ that coordinates government services, law enforcement agencies, and the CIVC. Together, these bodies enabled real-time information sharing, rapid circulation of alerts, and improved adaptability and responsiveness, detecting and responding to any health and safety matters as they arise.
“This regional vigilance network mobilized during the harvest period, facilitates the reporting of information, the sharing of alerts, and rapid intervention in the event of a problematic situation,” Chatillon said.
Rollout success
This initiative has been welcomed by Champagne stakeholders who regard the “Together for the Champagne Harvest” framework as a structuring, reassuring tool, providing security for the harvest and rewarding those who comply with the rules.
“The future of safety depends on all professionals truly and sustainably embracing these tools,” said Chatillon. “Above all, we are very clear: we will be uncompromising when it comes to unacceptable situations.”
Fast facts: Champagne
- Located in northeastern France
- Received Champagne AOC in 1936
- Main sub-regions: Montagne de Reims, Marne Valley, Côte des Blancs, and Côte des Bar
- Main grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier
- 16,000 grape growers
- 320 producers
- 7 styles from very sweet to very dry
- Brut comprises the bulk of production
- 300 million bottles yearly
- Annual revenue exceeds €5 billion
- 60% of sales come from exports
Fast facts: Wine grape harvest worker welfare around the world
- USA: Protections exist; challenges with migrant workers
- Europe: Regulated with varying conditions
- Australia/New Zealand: Fair overall with sustainable focus
- South America: Low wages but some improvements
- South Africa: Past exploitation but improving gradually
- Eastern Europe/Mediterranean: Varied conditions and increasing ethical awareness
Feature photo: Osmany TAVAREZ
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