Leonardo DiCaprio just invested a lot of money in an eco-friendly champagne brand

Leonardo DiCaprio is known for many things, from his excellent acting chops to his devotion to eco-friendly ventures. Case in point: his decision to buy a "significant" share of Telmont, a 110-year old, eco-friendly French champagne house near Épernay, a commune in the northern part of the European country.

Leo, who most recently earned praise for his role in the Netflix movie Don't Look Up, announced his investment earlier this week, specifically citing the brand's commitment towards the environment as a major catalyst of his decision. 

"From protecting biodiversity on its land, to using 100% renewable electricity, @maisontelmont is determined to radically lower its environmental footprint," the Oscar winning actor wrote on Twitter. "Proud to join as an investor in Champagne Telmont."

Ludovic du Plessis, the champagne brand's president, released an official statement about the development as well. "We share the same convictions and the same commitment to protecting the environment," he said. "[We have] one foot in tradition and the other in modernity, but both firmly rooted in the terroir! We aim to act in the name of Mother Nature in everything we do."

Although the exact monetary value of Leo’s investment has not been disclosed, sources reveal that he was mostly persuaded to invest in the brand given the company's plans to release a 100% organic champagne by 2025 and helping growers achieve eco-friendly status by 2031. 

The Don't Look Up star is one of many celebrities who have chosen to buy stakes in French  brands. In 2014, Jay-Z bought Armand de Brignac and then sold half of the company to LVMH just last year. The artist now still owns half the company and, according to reports, has profited $300 million from the recent sale. 

Other examples include rapper 50 Cent, who launched his own brand of champagne in 2018, featuring a 140-karat, gold-plated cross on each bottle (some costing as much as $1,000). The star sourced the spirit from Champagne Castelnau, a brand based in Reims.

We’d be remiss not to also mention endeavors by actors Brad Pitt and Idrib Elba. The former purchased Chateau Miraval with his then-wife Angelina Jolie in 2008 for an estimated $28.3 million (Angelina has since sold her stake of the company). Idris, on the other hand, partnered with two French estates on his own label, Porte Noire, back in 2020.

There’s clearly something very attractive about owning a French brand of wines and spirits.