The Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF) and the Faculty of Biotechnology of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (ESB-UCP) are part of the international consortium of the VinAE project, which aims to promote the adoption of agroecological practices to strengthen the resilience of viticultural agroecosystems in several key European wine regions.
Funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and co-funded by the Agroecology Partnership, VinAE – Vineyards network for co-creation and expansion of AgroEcological strategies to face viticulture challenges: a basis for cross-border living labs focuses on regions in Spain (Ribeira Sacra, Ribeiro, Txakolí and Rioja), Portugal (Douro), France (Gaillac), Italy (Tuscany), and Turkey (Anatolia).
In Portugal, the project will be led by researcher Sofia Pereira and will involve researchers Paula Castro, Ana Sofia Sousa, and Mariana Godinho, from CBQF’s Environmental Biotechnology and Resources research group.
Through a participatory and co-creation strategy, VinAE brings together experts and partners from various wine-producing regions to share knowledge and develop joint solutions to current viticulture challenges. The project will employ several innovative tools, such as bioinoculants, soil water retainers, biofumigants, cover crops, and wool mulching, with the goal of enhancing performance and reinforcing the sustainability of vineyard ecosystems.
By implementing experimental fields in five wine regions, the project seeks to assess the impact of these practices on parameters such as vine performance, must quality, soil carbon sequestration, microbial and faunal diversity, and soil fertility. In Portugal, the experimental field was set up in collaboration with ADVID and Real Companhia Velha, focusing on agroecological practices adapted to local conditions, namely the application of bioinoculants, as well as the use of cover crops and water retainers between vine rows.
Beyond promoting more sustainable practices, VinAE also aims to identify barriers and propose evidence-based recommendations to support the agroecological transition of the viticulture sector.
Coordinated by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the project includes the following partners:
- UCP – Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal
- ADVID – Association for the Development of Douro Viticulture, CoLAB VINES&WINES, Portugal
- NEIKER – Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Spain
- CEFE – Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, University Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3, France
- CREA – Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Italy
- IRET – Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, Italy
- GAPTAEM – GAP Agricultural Research Institute, Turkey
The Faculty of Biotechnology of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, in Porto, hosted the kick-off meeting of the project on 22 and 23 October, bringing together representatives from all national and international partners.
