| The Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVC), comprise a coalition of Vignerons (growers) and Maisons (houses) of Champagne. All of the growers, cooperatives and over houses that are central to producing Champagne are members of the CIVC, established in 1941 under the auspices of the French government. It was formed for the purpose of protecting Champagne's reputation and marketing forces as well as setting up and monitoring regulations for vineyard production and vinification methods.
There are almost 15,000 growers, covering about 90% of the growing area. They cultivate family vineyards, with an average size of 1.5 hectares. At harvest, they can sell their grapes to the Champagne Houses, or entrust them to a Co-operative. Many thousands retain grapes to make their own Grower’s Champagne, wines that express the individuality of their ‘terroir’.
The Champagne Houses buy almost all of their grapes from the Growers and cultivate several thousand hectares of vines themselves. Champagne Houses account for two-thirds of production and 90% of exports.
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