The notion of organic farming emerges in the 1980s when french government finally recognize the existence of an agriculture that does not use chemicals or synthetic pesticides. This movement eventually spreads throughout Europe with the adoption of an European regulation in 1991.
Organic farming encourages environment-friendly practices by promoting the use of biological preparations without any synthetic molecules. All the authorized phytosanitary products (insecticides, fungicides, and oenological inputs, etc ...) are listed in the specifications annex, and fertilizers or phytopharmaceutical products may be used only after a derogation request.
The "AB" certification is obtained only after three years of conversion where vineyard cultivation and winemaking methods are progressively modified until they fully meet the requirements of the AB specifications. The wines marketed during these three years may be marked "being converted". The logo will be affixed to the labels only once the certification is obtained.