Rebel winemaker fined €1,000

Court in Dijon rules that Emmanuel Giboulot’s refusal to treat vines against disease put neighbouring growers at risk

Published Friday 17 February 2017 - 11:00 Modified Friday 17 February 2017 - 11:00

A BURGUNDIAN winemaker has been fined €1,000 after refusing to treat his vines against an aggressive disease.

Organic winemaker Emmanuel Giboulot appeared at court in Dijon yesterday, where he said his refusal to use a pesticide against flavescence dorée was based on “respect for natural cycles”.

The court, however, ruled that he had put neighbouring vineyards at risk and imposed the fine.

In June 2013, the prefecture of Côte- d'Or ordered all growers in the region to treat their vines against flavescence dorée, a deadly disease transmitted by the leafhopper insect.

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Rebel winemaker fined €1,000

Court in Dijon rules that Emmanuel Giboulot’s refusal to treat vines against disease put neighbouring growers at risk

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