Vines, Sails, and Oysters: A Champagne House's Green Gambit

NEW YORK, NY – May 12, 2026 – As high-performance F50 catamarans prepare to slice through the waters of New York Harbor for the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix later this month, a different kind of race is taking shape behind the scenes. This one isn't for speed, but for sustainability. Champagne Telmont, a historic house with a modern, eco-conscious mission, is leveraging its partnership with the champion Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team to make a tangible environmental impact, extending its commitment from the vineyards of France to the oyster reefs of New York City.

Sponsorship with a Conscience

The partnership between a luxury champagne brand and a high-octane sailing team is a familiar sight in the world of elite sports. However, the alliance between Champagne Telmont and the Emirates GBR team, the 2025 Season Champions, is rooted in a deeper, shared philosophy. SailGP is not just a racing circuit; it's a platform built around its “Race for the Future” purpose, featuring a pioneering “Impact League” that ranks teams on their positive environmental and social actions. The British team won this parallel competition in 2025, proving that peak performance and planetary responsibility can be dual pursuits.

This alignment of values is the core of the collaboration. "Our partnership with the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team reflects Champagne Telmont's ongoing commitment to sustainability and our belief that meaningful progress comes through collaboration," said Ludovic du Plessis, President of Champagne Telmont. "At Telmont, we believe there is no victory on a losing planet."

This sentiment is echoed by the sailing team's leadership. "We hope, of course, to be toasting a successful weekend of racing on the water, but we're also happy to be toasting our partnership with Champagne Telmont, and our shared endeavour to tread lightly on our planet and create a sustainable future," stated Sir Ben Ainslie, Emirates GBR CEO and Co-Owner. The partnership moves beyond simple branding, transforming victory celebrations into a statement about sustainable sport.

From Finish Lines to Oyster Beds

For the New York race weekend on May 30-31, Telmont is taking its commitment beyond the waterline. The champagne house has announced a significant partnership, becoming the Official Champagne of the Billion Oyster Project, a non-profit dedicated to restoring New York Harbor's once-thriving oyster population. This move directly connects the global spectacle of SailGP to a critical local conservation effort.

Oysters are keystone species, with a single adult capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day. Their reefs create vital habitats for other marine life and act as natural breakwaters, protecting shorelines from storm surges. The Billion Oyster Project aims to restore one billion of these ecological powerhouses to the harbor by 2035, relying on community engagement, education, and strategic partnerships.

Telmont's support will involve integrating the non-profit into its local fundraising and programming, using the high-profile race weekend to cast a spotlight on the harbor's health. "We are delighted to introduce Champagne Telmont as the official champagne of Billion Oyster Project," said Pete Malinowski, the project's President and CEO. "With our shared values of sustainability leading the charge, we're eager to work together to connect with new audiences and accounts across New York City."

Redefining Green Luxury

These partnerships are the public face of a much deeper, company-wide transformation guided by Telmont’s mission, “In the Name of Mother Nature.” The century-old house, backed by majority shareholder Rémy Cointreau and investor Leonardo DiCaprio, is pursuing one of the most aggressive sustainability agendas in the entire wine industry.

In early 2026, Telmont became the first sparkling wine producer in the world to achieve Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) status for its vineyards. This certification goes far beyond standard organic practices, requiring stringent adherence to soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness principles. The house aims to convert 100% of its own and its partner growers' vineyards to organic farming by 2031—a monumental goal in a region where only about 8% of vineyards are currently certified organic.

Telmont’s commitment is visible in every bottle. The company has ceased all production of gift boxes and transparent bottles, which are made from virgin glass. In a groundbreaking move, it co-developed an 800-gram champagne bottle, the lightest in the world, reducing the standard weight from 835 grams. This innovation, which the company has deliberately not patented to encourage industry-wide adoption, reduces the carbon footprint of each bottle. Furthermore, Telmont has completely banned air freight for its distribution since 2021, now shipping its products to the U.S. aboard wind-powered vessels.

This radical transparency and comprehensive approach aim to counter accusations of 'greenwashing' often leveled at luxury brands. By focusing on certified, measurable actions—from the soil in Champagne to the oysters in New York—Telmont is making a compelling case that true luxury is no longer about opulence alone, but about positive impact. As the world's best sailors compete in the harbor, the brand is demonstrating that the most important race is the one to secure a sustainable future.