VINO Project

VINO

VIneyard management for viNeprOduction 

 

 

Spoke 6 agrindustria
VINO addresses the challenges of climate change through remote sensing systems, expertise in big data, and precision agriculture techniques
Framework

The Italian wine industry comprises more than 240,000 producers who cultivate approximately 540,000 hectares of vineyards. This sector is currently undergoing a profound transformation due to the automation and digitalization processes that are unfolding across the entire supply chain, from distribution to processing, extending all the way to the vineyards. Furthermore, the ongoing climate change is resulting in significant consequences for agricultural regions, particularly in the hilly and mountainous areas. In this context, for instance, cultivated lands in Oltrepò Pavese, Colli Piacentini, and the hilly regions of southeast Piedmont are experiencing higher temperatures, extended periods of drought, and intense, concentrated rainfall events. Moreover, the severity of damage caused by late spring frosts and drought is also on the rise.


Scientific Leader 
Graziano Rossi, University of Pavia 

Key themes

VINO is advocating research to drive sustainable innovation in the wine industry by harnessing the potential of digitalization. This research initiative will delve into key areas of focus, including:

  • Agriculture 4.0: The development of cutting-edge technologies aimed at optimizing vineyard management for increased production efficiency and sustainability.

  • Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience: Seeking innovative solutions to enable the adaptation and resilience of viticulture, especially in challenging terrains and regions where vine cultivation suitability is impacted by climate change. This may entail exploring alternative crops and cultivation practices while upholding profitability and environmental quality.

  • Circular Economy: The investigation of waste materials from grapevines and byproducts from alternative crops to identify valuable extracts for various industries. This approach aims to leverage local resources, reduce agricultural waste, and promote sustainability.

The project includes 8 research modules (RM) that focus on specific thematic areas related to the wine industry
Objectives 

VINO's primary goal is to develop new solutions and adapt existing practices to address the effects of climate change in viticulture. The project's activities, organized into 8 research modules, cover all stages from characterizing the environment and the regions where viticulture is present to selecting the best agronomic characteristics that can ensure the long-term resilience of viticulture in response to expected changes. Among the objectives is the integration of methodologies and experts in estimating climatological variables that impact grapevines, considering both current and future climate conditions, as well as understanding the impacts of climate change on viticulture, including production, management techniques, and soil and water conservation. This collaboration involves working with colleagues from research institutes located in Sardinia.

The expected outcomes include the creation of suitability maps for grapevine cultivation and alternative crops
Expected outcomes

VINO aims to achieve several key outcomes, including:

  • The development of suitability maps for grapevine cultivation and alternative crops.
  • The generation of data on the drought tolerance of grapevine clones and rootstocks.
  • Innovative solutions for grape quality assessment and soil monitoring.
  • Identification of alternative crops adaptable to changing climatic conditions.
  • The discovery of biologically active extracts from grapevine waste and alternative crops.
  • Methodologies for precise pesticide application using drones.
  • Assessment of the relationship between spraying conditions and the vitality of biopesticide microorganisms.
  • Modelling of future scenarios for water stress in vineyards.
  • The establishment of best practices for irrigation and water management in vineyards.
  • Mapping of surface landslide hazard areas in vineyards.
  • Development of a geospatial database and integration of remote sensing and data analysis technologies.
VINO aims to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, circularity, and resilience of the primary agro-industrial sector in the targeted regions
Impact

The VINO project aims to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, circularity, and resilience of the primary agro-industrial sector in the target regions - Oltrepò Pavese (southern Lombardy), Colli Piacentini (western Emilia-Romagna), and Langhe (southern Piedmont). It looks to become a replicable model for other territories. The results generated will serve as the starting point for interdisciplinary academic collaborations needed to support the evolution of sustainability in the agri-food sector, particularly concerning viticulture and related supplementary crops.

Key partners

 

University of Pavia

·        Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

·        Department of Physics

·        Department of Electrical, Biomedical, and Computational Engineering

·        Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering

·        Department of Biology and Biotechnology

·        Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

·        Department of Social and Political Sciences

 

University of Turin

·       Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences

·       Department of Management 

·       Department of Computer Science

 

University of Sassari

·       Department of Agricultural Sciences

 

ERSAF (Regional Agency for Services to Agriculture and Forestry)

The Foundation Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC)