The transition towards more sustainable viticulture is gaining momentum across Europe. Fungus resistant grape varieties known as PIWI are increasingly seen as a promising pathway to reduce the use of chemical plant protection products while maintaining vineyard productivity and wine quality.
Within the GrapeBreed4IPM project, a Design Thinking Workshop in Switzerland brought together experts from viticulture, research and the wine sector to discuss the future role of robust grape varieties. Participants exchanged experiences on the current development of PIWI varieties and reflected on the opportunities and challenges associated with their broader adoption.
Through collaborative group work and open discussion, the workshop explored new ideas for strengthening the visibility and acceptance of PIWI wines in the market. Participants emphasised that innovation in viticulture must combine breeding progress with effective communication strategies and stronger collaboration across the wine value chain.
The workshop was organised within the framework of the GrapeBreed4IPM project by the Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Ludwigshafen together with Swiss project partners.
Participants and stakeholders from across Europe are also invited to contribute to the ongoing GrapeBreed4IPM survey on the future of sustainable viticulture and the acceptance of robust grape varieties. The survey takes only a few minutes and helps to generate valuable insights for the project.
Participate in the survey: https://www.soscisurvey.de/grapebreed4ipm2
