LVMH 2019 . LV M H s t o r i e s

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H E N N E S S Y Respon sible

by n atu re

From vine to bottle, cognac is the culmination of a three-step process selection, aging and blending that is unique to Cognac (France) and used nowhere else in the world. To ensure excellence and a rich bouquet of aromas, Hennessy selects only the fin- est eaux-de-vie sourced from the best AOC vineyards. That means everything starts with winegrowing, an area where the Maison has made firm commitments and achieved the highest levels of certification. For over twenty years, Hennessy has made environ- mental management and food safety top priorities, as demonstrated by the ISO 14001 and ISO 22000 certifica- tions it obtained in 1998 and 2006, respectively. The Maison develops and uses highly innovative technol- ogies that are safe and environmentally friendly, while also maintaining the ancestral knowledge required to safeguard and pass on its winegrowing heritage. Everyday practices such as tilling and gentle vine pruning are natural ways for Hennessy to preserve its terroirs. Combined with high-tech equipment and experimental winegrowing techniques, natural crop protection prod- ucts and biological pest control methods (such as mating disruption for harmful insects) are valuable tools to help protect its vineyards. Biodiversity and soil quality are also given special care. The Maison has introduced eco-friendly farming methods including preserving hedgerows and leaving land fallow for bees or crop rotation. Safe havens have been created for beneficial animals and insects. In total, 60% of the surface area of Hennessy s vineyards is planted, either naturally or with cover crops selected to promote soil life and limit erosion. In parallel, all land awaiting replanting is sown with biodiversity-friendly plants. Replanting hedge- rows is a key priority for the years to come.