France replaces vineyards with agave

In the Gard department, the French winery Maison Chapoutier has started growing agave instead of grapes due to a prolonged drought.

This is reported by ICI.

Project manager Karel Aubineau said that in June 2025, 2,000 agave plants were planted on an area of ​​​​1 hectare in the commune of Valligières, near Remoulins. “We decided to take a risk and try a crop that requires a minimum of water. We will have to wait 10-15 years for the harvest,” he said.

According to Aubineau, this is one of the first agave plantations in France, created according to Mexican technology. The distance between the plants is 1 meter, and the planting holes are carefully prepared to ensure rooting.

Maison Chapoutier invested in the Gard land back in 2015, but due to climate change, part of the land has become unsuitable for grapes.

“There used to be 35 hectares here, now there are only 20. The grapes are suffering from the heat, so we are looking for alternatives,” the farmer explained.

Agave, which grows naturally on the dry, rocky soil typical of the region, requires minimal irrigation and tolerates drought conditions well. The only risk to the crop, according to Obino, is possible winter frost.

Like the Maison Chapoutier vineyards, the agave plantation will be cultivated according to the principles of organic farming.

Tags: France, agave