From January 27 to 29, 2025, the Montpellier Exhibition Center will once again focus on organic wine, beer, cider, and spirits. This year will also see the debut of the No & Low category.
Visitors can begin by exploring the impressive ‘Oenothèque,’ where each of the 1,506 exhibitors exhibit a signature product for open tasting. Tank samples will also be available again this year, and for the first time, wines made from PIWI (fungus-resistant grape varieties) will be included. At the “Bar Challenge,” guests can sample wines and beers that received awards shortly before the trade fair at the world’s largest organic wine competition, Challenge Millésime Bio.
The Montpellier fair holds a unique position as the first major wine event of the year and is considered a barometer for market trends. It is also organized by winemakers themselves, under the auspices of SudVinBio, the association of organic winemakers in Occitania. True to its philosophy, all exhibitors—whether small family wineries or large international companies—present their products with identical stand equipment, ensuring a uniform look.
Sustainability plays a key role in the event’s organization. Stand materials are reused annually, and all other materials are either recycled or repurposed.

Freeze on price increases
“SudVinBio is aware of the current economic challenges faced by producers and has responded by freezing stand fees,” highlights Jeanne Fabre, the fair’s president. “Young winemakers will also benefit from a 30% discount.” The goal is to provide a platform for emerging talent and startups. In 2025, 17% of exhibitors will be participating for the first time.
Another new feature is a partnership with the Biodyvin winegrowers’ syndicate. In a dedicated section of the exhibition hall, 120 of its members will present their biodynamic wines, making it a true highlight of the event.

The 2024 vintage is attracting considerable attention. While the quality is regarded as excellent in most regions, yields are significantly lower. “We expect a decrease in volume of between 20% and 30% compared to a normal harvest,” reports Nicolas Richarme, president of SudVinBio.
Challenges vary across regions. “In some areas, we’ve been struggling with water scarcity for three years, while other parts, such as Gard, sections of Hérault, and parts of the Rhône Valley and Vaucluse, have seen excessive rainfall,” Richarme explains. Organic producers are particularly vulnerable to issues like downy mildew, as they lack the same tools for combating such challenges compared to conventional growers.
Enhanced digital matchmaking
The trade fair has optimized its online offerings. The expected 11,000 trade visitors from 50 countries—80% from France, 16% from other European countries, and 4% from North America and Asia—can now take advantage of improved search functions to connect with exhibitors. Filters for product categories, such as geographic origin, packaging type, additional certification labels, and other features, make it easier for visitors to find suitable exhibitors.
SudVinBio has maintained a ratio of 1,500 exhibitors to 11,000 visitors to ensure a successful experience for all participants.
The hosting region, Occitanie, is France’s largest organic winegrowing area, spanning from Gascony through Languedoc to the western Rhône Valley and from Cahors to Roussillon. A total of 3,397 wine producers cultivate about 60,000 ha/150,000 ac of vineyards, accounting for 23% of the region’s wine production and 34% of France’s organic vineyard area.

Since 2016, Occitanie has financially supported the trade fair, with €110,000 allocated in 2025 to organize a parallel business meeting. This event will bring together 82 organic producers and several dozen international buyers. Occitanie’s organic winemakers represent a significant portion of Millésime Bio, with 502 participants, making up exactly one-third of the exhibitors.
Organic vineyard area in france continues to grow
Just in time for the trade fair, figures for the 2023 vintage have been released. The number of organic winemakers in France increased by 298 in 2023, surpassing 12,000 in total. Organic vineyard acreage, including areas in conversion, grew by 1.6%, or 8,546 ha. “Organic wine continues to grow, even amidst a declining wine market,” comments Nicolas Richarme. However, the slowdown in vineyard conversions is attributed to the significant expansion between 2017 and 2022, during which organic vineyard area more than doubled from 77,668 to 168,606 ha. The market is struggling to absorb this additional volume.
Health is the most important reason for organic farming
Last autumn, Millésime Bio conducted a survey among 200 participating French organic winegrowers to understand their attitudes toward organic wine and its future. The main motivations cited were: 86% for preserving the health of soils and vines, 84% for safeguarding biodiversity, 78.5% for conserving natural resources, 56.5% for improving wine quality, and 32.5% for exploring new market opportunities. The majority of organic winegrowers are confident in a positive future for organic wines, a sentiment that should be reflected at Millésime Bio.
All information regarding registration, exhibitors, conferences, and masterclasses can be found at www.millesime-bio.com/en/. André Dominé