Sustainable Swiss Wine Appreciation

Viticulture in Europe accounts for a significant 40% of total pesticide use. A key strategy for reducing these plant protection products (PPPs) is the cultivation of multi-resistant grape varieties, also known as PIWI varieties (fungus-resistant grape varieties). This represents a crucial instrument for achieving the PPP reduction targets of the National Action Plan for Plant Protection Products.

The introduction of new grape varieties entails significant investment costs for winegrowers and a lead time of three to four years from young vine production to the first harvest. Since a vineyard remains productive for approximately 35 years, the choice of variety is a long-term and far-reaching decision.

This is where the oenoPIWI project comes in. It builds upon the experiment established in the predecessor project innoPIWI and aims to provide practitioners with well-founded information on about 40 new, robust grape varieties. This experiment is conducted at three climatically distinct locations:

• Frick: FiBL
• Wädenswil: Wädenswil Viticulture Center/Agroscope
• Nyon: Changins School of Viticulture and Oenology

Research Focus Areas and Objectives:

At all three locations, agronomic, enological, and organoleptic (qualitative) criteria of the grape varieties are systematically collected and compared.

• At FiBL, targeted plant protection strategies are additionally investigated. The aim is to develop practical recommendations for necessary field measures and to test new products as potential copper substitutes.
• An established practical network is to be maintained and expanded to offer interested winegrowers a central point of contact and to foster the exchange of experience.
• Detailed variety fact sheets with the specific characteristics of the different grape varieties will be created to provide a solid basis for variety selection.

• Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft, Switzerland

• Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) – Research, training and innovation

• Weinbauzentrum Wädenswil (WBZW), Switzerland
• Forschungsgruppe Agroscope Wädenswil, Switzerland
• Hoschschuke für Weinbau und Önologie (HES-SO) Changins, Switzerland

• Riemann Michael (Department of Crop Sciences)

• Farny Michaël (Department Suisse Romande)

Project Manager

• fibl.org: Project entry from the previous project "innoPIWI"

• Department Suisse Romande (FiBL Switzerland)
• Viticulture & Oenology / On-Station (Department of Crop Sciences, FiBL Switzerland)