Doubly sustainable
Loire Propriétés, a group of three cooperatives that are members of the Union de Coopérative Angevine, is preparing for certification to Agri Confiance and Vignerons en Développement Durable, two standards being developed by Coop de France and the Institut Coopératif du Vin (ICV) respectively. Through these, the Union is keen to promote its commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability. The first certification audit was held this summer; a second will take place in September 2012, after which Loire Propriétés will obtain its dual accreditation. The three cooperatives – Caves de la Loire in Brissac, Cave des Vins de Rabelais, and Confrérie des Vignerons de Oisly et Thésée – have total average output of 100,000hl a year.