In the heart of Louis Roederer’s vineyards, photographer Jean-Charles Gutner unveils nature’s masterpieces, living works of art that embody the Champagne house’s dedication to biodiversity.
Conservation, biodiversity and sustainability go hand in hand: each relies on the other for a future planet where people and nature can survive and thrive. That means what we consume should be created in a way that doesn’t destroy nature; and, step by step, producers and brands are facing the challenge.
Jean-Charles Gutner’s Solar Panel series captures the vibrant foliage of the vineyards of champagne house Louis Roederer, brought to life through Roederer’s practice of massal selection.
Roederer has long been the most environmentally focused of the Grande Marque champagne houses, using organic and biodynamic farming to nurture the soils. Massal selection is a traditional vineyard practice aimed at preserving the natural biodiversity of the vineyard, ensuring stronger, more resilient vines. This method fosters genetic diversity and maintains the ecological balance within the vineyard.
Louis Roederer’s vineyards are 250 hectares and situated solely within the prestigious Grands and Premiers Crus of the Marne
Through his lens, Gutner masterfully captures the essence of this practice. His lens reveals that, just as Roederer’s wines are crafted with precision and care, the vineyard itself is a magnum opus cultivated over generations. Each pictured leaf, with its unique shape and texture, reflects Roederer’s philosophy of sustainability and reverence for the land. Gutner’s work elevates each leaf to the status of a natural relic; relics that stand as testaments to Roederer’s careful stewardship of the land.
While each leaf is depicted individually, together they form a complex interconnected matrix that is essential to the vineyard’s health and vitality. Woven together in a complex web of biodiversity, these uniquely distinctive leaves craft the vineyard’s natural ‘solar panels’. Like solar panels that capture sunlight for energy, the leaves in Louis Roederer’s vineyards harness sunlight to fuel the growth and vitality of the grapes.
Jean-Charles Gutner started exploring the French vineyards in 2015
Solar Panel embodies this idea, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between nature and the vineyard, where light, land, and plant life converge to create something extraordinary. By capturing nature’s solar panels, Gutner emphasises the vital role each unique leaf plays in sustaining the vineyard’s ecosystem. His work illustrates how Roederer’s holistic approach to winemaking is intricately tied to a deep respect for the natural environment.
The Solar Panel series serves as a visual metaphor for the delicate balance between human craftsmanship and the unyielding force of nature. Within this delicate dance, Gutner and Roederer remind us about the importance of nurturing a respectful relationship with the land, where every leaf, vine, and natural element contributes to the rich tapestry of biodiversity and genetic diversity that sustains the ecosystem’s vitality.
The piece is printed on delicate Korean Hanji paper, renowned for its exceptional quality and traditional craftsmanship
It is also the latest in a series of striking initiatives around art photography and sustainability created under the aegis of Fredric Rouzaud, the managing director and family owner of the champagne house.
Rouzaud has previously supported young art photographers creating interpretations of the vineyards, and, with London’s LUX magazine, created the Photography Prize for Sustainability, drawing in some of the world’s leading collectors and photographers. Gutner’s photography is a worthy addition to this canon.
Written by: Taya Suleyman
Online Editor: Fabienne Amez-Droz
