From the lightest champagne bottles on the market to 193,000 shades of green — the Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Champagne Telmont is ever the example of sustainability.
Champagne Telmont, backed by actor, investor, and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio, has set its sights on becoming the first climate-positive champagne house by the end of the decade, a goal underscored by a series of innovative eco-friendly practices. Among these are the introduction of the world’s lightest champagne bottle and the utilization of variably shaded green bottles that it says contribute to its efforts to minimize its environmental impact.
Telmont has partnered with French glassmaker Verallia to create a champagne bottle that weighs just 800 grams, setting a new standard for sustainability in the industry. This initiative alone is anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions by four percent per bottle. The lighter bottles embody the brand’s commitment to reducing emissions and align with a broader strategy that includes transitioning to 100 percent organic farming and utilizing recycled glass, with the latter comprising 87 percent recycled material.
This year, the vineyard also plans to release approximately 193,000 bottles in hues ranging from bright green to cinnamon made from excess glass often wasted during the color-switching process in bottle manufacturing. According to Ludovic du Plessis, Telmont’s president, sustainability is not a limit or a constraint, “but a ground for creativity and innovation.” This approach has reduced waste and sparked positive market reactions, with du Plessis reporting double-digit growth in sales and volume since implementing these sustainable practices.
Telmont’s environmental efforts extend beyond bottle innovation. The vineyard has already achieved organic certification for its practices, aiming to convert all its vineyards to organic by 2025. Furthermore, the brand has made the conscious decision to forgo air exports and unnecessary packaging, including the elimination of gift boxes, which alone reduces a bottle’s carbon footprint by eight percent. These steps are part of Telmont’s larger goal to achieve a Net Positive status by 2050, intending to reduce its carbon footprint by at least 90 percent.
As Telmont prepares for the future, including the release of the certified organic cuvée Telmont Réserve de la Terre in the innovative 800-gram bottle in 2026, du Plessis remains hopeful that the vineyard’s efforts will inspire others within the industry to adopt more sustainable practices. The debut of Telmont’s champagne in the U.S., particularly the Telmont Brut Reserve, has been met with acclaim, offering a testament to the quality that can be achieved alongside sustainable practices. Priced at an average of $68 per bottle and awarded 91 points by Decanter, the champagne is a physical representation of Telmont’s philosophy: “the wine is good if the earth is beautiful.”
Efforts like these are why DiCaprio, known for his advocacy against climate change, has thrown his support behind Telmont’s initiatives. His investment in the vineyard in 2022 highlights the growing intersection between environmental activism and the business world, particularly in industries traditionally perceived as luxury or elite. DiCaprio’s involvement underscores a crucial message: sustainability and luxury can coexist, provided there is a willingness to innovate and prioritize the planet.
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