Summer School on sustainability and genetic improvement

The Summer School held by Sergio Ferrari on September, 21 was dedicated to sustainable and genetic improvement.

Dr Velasco of CREA Conegliano took part in the event, Yuri Zambon, representing Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, Vincenzo Betalli of CIVIT Trento, and the agronomist/journalist Lorenzo Tosi all participated in the event. Two vine-growers who make wine from resistant grape varieties were also part of the event: Mario Pojer of Pojer and Sandri and our very own Robert Spinazzè of Terre di Ger.

Professor Attilio Scienza, a leading international expert in viticulture, also supported this event, which was conducted by Costanza Fregoni, a true protagonist of wine-making innovation in Italy.

How will the future of our vineyards look? Velasco puts it quite clearly: it is going to be very difficult to grow grapewines in the future. Climate change, and the increasing limits on pesticide are going to increase costs for vine growers. There is a way out, that is genetic improvement. According to Professor Attilio Scienza, a strong supporter of breeding, talking about local traditions and territories is very difficult today: viticulture is evolving and laws and regulations must accept new vines as part of the local denominations.

Zambon and Betalli described their research work in nurseries, experimenting new grape varieties in order to guarantee the future of Italian wine making.

Mario Pojer, has been growing resistant grape varieties since 1975 and has made his wine, Zero Infinito, a true symbol of his winery, known all around the world.

Robert Spinazze is considered the pioneer of PIWI wines in the region of Friuli. He has been putting his effort in promoting these wines that nowadays still lack a recognized denomination and can be sold only as common table wines.

Our praise also goes to Nereo Pederzoli, a journalist whose divulgative work is crucial in Trentino.