Louis Roederer has launched the second series of its “Solar Panel” art project, featuring close-up photographs of Chardonnay vine leaves. The project, captured by photographer Jean-Charles Gutner, is printed on delicate Korean Hanji paper, which is known for its exceptional quality and traditional craftsmanship.
The “Solar Panel” project is part of Louis Roederer’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity. In the late 1990s, the Champagne House began reassessing its viticulture practices, focusing on the health and longevity of its vines. The shift away from chemical inputs led to a renewed emphasis on soil regeneration and the preservation of genetic diversity. Louis Roederer concluded that the more genetically diverse the vines, the better they would express the nuances of their terroirs in the resulting wines.
Inspired by Louis Roederer’s dedication to biodiversity, Gutner embarked on a project to visually capture the vineyard’s “solar panels”—the vine leaves. The photographs, showcasing hundreds of leaves from Louis Roederer’s mother vines, depict the unique shapes and characteristics of each leaf, emphasizing the Champagne House’s commitment to genetic diversity.
The photographs are printed on Hanji paper, a Korean national treasure traditionally used for preserving valuable artworks. Due to its delicate nature, the paper required a specialized printing process to maintain the integrity of the images. The cream-colored, 100% natural paper is handcrafted using mulberry tree bark, spring water, and hollyhocks, following a centuries-old tradition.
The second series of the “Solar Panel” project includes 10 new works featuring Chardonnay vine leaves, with four of the pieces printed on Hanji paper. These works reflect Louis Roederer’s practice of massal selection, a method used to preserve and enhance the genetic diversity of their vineyards. The project visually represents the Champagne House’s efforts to maintain its plant heritage, ensuring that its wines continue to express the full complexity of their terroirs.
Louis Roederer, based in Reims, France, has a long history dating back to 1776. The Champagne House, which cultivates only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, gained international recognition under the leadership of Louis Roederer, who took over the estate in 1833. Today, the brand is highly regarded in the Chinese market and continues to innovate with projects like “Solar Panel,” which blends environmental sustainability with artistic expression.
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