Why cool-climate viticulture?
Wine production is expanding in northern European regions such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. These emerging wine regions offer new opportunities, but they also face specific challenges related to climate, soil conditions, disease pressure and the economic viability of wine production. Developing sustainable practices at an early stage can help ensure that this growing sector develops in an environmentally and economically resilient way.
Testing agroecological practices
The research examines how agroecological practices can contribute to more sustainable cool-climate viticulture. Conventional and agroecological approaches will be compared to assess their environmental, economic and social impacts. Particular attention is given to soil health, biodiversity, reduced use of pesticides and fertilisers, climate resilience, vineyard management and the use of modern, disease-resistant grape varieties.
Living Labs and Digital Twins
A key feature of the research is the combination of Living Labs and Digital Twin technology. Vineyards in Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark will provide real-world environments in which practices can be observed and tested together with winemakers. At the same time, Digital Twins will use information on weather, soil, plant health and vineyard management to simulate different future scenarios. This makes it possible to explore how vineyards might respond to climate change and different management choices before interventions are implemented in practice.
Working with vineyards and stakeholders
Winemakers, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders are directly involved in the research. Through workshops, field experimentation and scenario development, scientific knowledge is combined with practical experience. The aim is to identify approaches that are not only environmentally beneficial, but also feasible and relevant for vineyard owners.
European collaboration and funding
The research is carried out through EMCOCLIM-VITI – Emerging Cool Climate Wine Regions: AgroEcological Viticulture, a 36-month collaboration between the University of Antwerp, Copenhagen University and Maastricht University. The project is funded within the European Agroecology Partnership. The Dutch contribution is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).
Together, the partners aim to build a stronger scientific foundation for sustainable and climate-resilient viticulture in Europe’s emerging cool-climate wine regions.