PROTECT VINES AGAINST CLIMATIC VARIATIONS

Introduction

The EU is the first producer, consumer, and exporter of wine, with 3/4 of winegrowing areas located in Spain, France, and Italy. However, the vineyards in these countries face drastic increases in the frequency and intensity of spring frosts, hail, excessive sun exposure, and intense or heavy rainfalls due to climate change. Confronted with these climatic hazards which affect their yield and the vine and wine quality, winegrowers are looking for effective methods to protect their crops.

Project Overview

The LIFE VINOSHIELD project aims to tackle these issues thanks to the demonstration of innovative multifunctional textile protective nets and the preparation of the replication in 6 European countries.

Partners and Budget

The project gathers 7 partners (MDB TEXINOV, ALTAVITIS, UCSC, FUTERRO, IFV, INSA, VINIDEA) and 3 affiliated entities (TEXINOV TECH, DELTAVAL, CNRS) from 4 European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Belgium), with complementary expertise in:

1. Viticulture
2. Industrial textile production
3. Science of thermal flux
4. Biobased materials

The total budget for the project is €4.1M over 4 years, i.e., from September 2024 to December 2028.

Methodology

Through a series of tests conducted over 9 vineyards across France, Italy, and Spain, the project will demonstrate the performance of the nets against each hazard and its environmental benefits.

Environmental Impact

The use of nets will have positive impacts and reduce the humidity on vines, consequently decreasing the use of phytosanitary products used to treat vine diseases.

Expected Outcomes

By 2032, the project aims to:

• Protect 16,500 hectares of vine
• Reduce damages from 30% down to 5%
• Equip 2,750 winegrowers with protective nets across Europe

These major impacts will be achieved thanks to the validation of the business model, the preparation for the uptake of the nets in the European winegrowing market, and securing the recovery and recycling of the nets at their end of life.