Doña Paula Wines’ Post

Breaking news: Chile launches first WineTech Fund to boost Valparaíso region 'The recent WineInnovaTech 2024 international seminar in Viña del Mar culminated with the announcement of Chile's first WineTech Private Fund, aimed at addressing key challenges in the winemaking industry in the Valparaíso region. The fund will focus on climate change adaptation, sustainability and integrating new technologies into viticulture and grape genetics. Notably, Chile boasts the largest area of non-grafted, European variety vine stocks globally' writes James Bayley for Harpers Wine & Spirit. Max Morales, senior project manager and agricultural engineer at Wine Innova Tech 2024, emphasised the fund’s goal: “Our key focus is to attract investors and clients for the wineries and grape producers while creating new business opportunities for winemakers and wineries in Valparaíso’s valleys, which include Rapa Nui-Easter Island, Aconcagua, Casablanca, Marga Marga, Quilpué-Villa Alemana, Lo Abarca-San Antonio-Leyda, and the towns of Algarrobo, Llay Llay and Putaendo.” Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/efhj94-g #WineTechFund #Valparaiso #Chile

Thanks @wineinternationalassociation!! Viña Lanciano: A Tale of Time, Terroir, and Sustainable Viticulture in Rioja. Wine International Association WIA Home»Wine Magazine»Wine Europe»Viña Lanciano: A Tale of Time, Terroir, and Sustainable Viticulture in Rioja Once upon a time, there was a bend in the River Ebro. Once there was a land loaded with legend and history. Once there was Viña Lanciano. Viña Lanciano, an expansive and awe-inspiring setting spanning 72 hectares, is embraced by the graceful curve of the River Ebro. Situated on the natural border between the Rioja Alta and the Rioja Alavesa, this privileged location benefits from the shelter provided by the majestic Cantabria Mountains, resulting in the creation of a distinct microclimate within its 22 parcels. Here, the utmost dedication to maintaining the natural balance of the environment is observed through sustainable vine growing practices. Grupo Bodegas LAN SOGRAPE

Growers fertilising with nitrogen will be keen to look into this. This study conducted a meta-analysis of the published research from 374 fertilisation trials worldwide on the optimisation of the use of Nitrogen in use in viticulture, in order to achieve high quality grapes for winemaking and improve sustainability in grape growing. It concludes that, with the aim of maximizing yield, 30 to 40 kg·N·ha−1 would suffice, whereas when aiming at optimizing grape quality for winemaking, 20 to 25 kg·N·ha−1 would be enough. Read the paper in full on Hindawi here: https://lnkd.in/gktmnybd

As we embark on a new year, the wine industry is poised for significant transformations that will shape its landscape. From the vineyards to the cellars, 2024 promises to be a year marked by advancements and collaborations. Here are six key trends on SevenFifty Daily that will be at the forefront, steering the course of the wine industry. #winetrends #wineindustry #winelover

The A.O. Rías Baixas is committed to R&D Wineries in the Rías Baixas Designation of Origin in Spain are demonstrating a strong commitment to research and development: out of 181 wineries, 24 are investing nearly 7 million euros in over 90 research projects.  Focus areas include vineyard studies, recovery of native varieties, organic production, native yeasts, vineyard care, fungal diseases, environmental sustainability, circular economy, experimental wine production, sparkling wines, and smart labels. Collaboration with universities and research centers is usual, involving 97 professionals such as oenologists and higher education graduates. Funding comes from self-financing, loans, and subsidies from European, national, and regional entities. Source: A.O. Rías Baixas. #Wine 

8 years ago Bart was interviewed by La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux about organics in New Zealand. It was a video exhibition called - Table des terroirs - It has been playing at the exhibition for the last 8 years and seen by 400,000 visitors each year. It has now been converted to a podcast. You can listen to it from the link below. It has also been transcribed if you would like to read it below: Transcript: My name is Bart Arnst. I'm an organic viticulture consultant and co-owner of the Darling Wines here in Marlborough. At present, I'm standing in the Springwood Vineyard, an organically certified vineyard, and it has been for many years. One of the unusual things about this vineyard is that it has no irrigation. And being a drought year, you can see the vines are performing very well. How do we do this? Well, we have to look after the soil. The soil is the most important thing about growing grapes. If you don't look after the soil, you have all sorts of problems in the future. We look at different cover crop species and look to enhance the biology that lives in the soil, making them happy, making the habitat that they feel best that they can operate in. By doing this, we get healthy vines. And if we get healthy vines, we get great fruit. And if we get great fruit, then we're going to make great wines. The sustainability story is very strong in New Zealand. We really are proud of the efforts we're making to lessen the impact on the environment. After all, this is a fairly intensive system growing grapes. There's a lot of work done on the ground, so we have to make sure that we're not going to ruin things for future generations. Every process we go through, we analyse it and check whether it is suitable to be doing. If it's been raining, we don't like to drive on the ground. If it's too hot, we have to do things to alleviate the damage that could be done by heavy machinery. It's all part of the New Zealand story with organics and biodynamics and sustainability. We are looking after the land to produce great wines for the world, and we hope to continue to do so. As I travel throughout New Zealand as a consultant, I get to meet many people who are following the same examples, and they are all making really good wines and very proud of what they do. We are a small nation and we have to look after it, and this is one of the ways we can do it—by really investigating the different types of methods that are required to keep the environment safe. In the meantime, we'll just keep going, making great wines and hoping you around the world get the opportunity to try them.

Texas & Chile, connecting wine gaps thanks to a future WineTech Private Fund The recent WineInnovaTech international seminar in Viña del Mar culminated with the announcement of Chile's first #WineTech Private Fund, aimed at addressing key challenges in the winemaking industry in the Valparaíso region. One of the main speakers from Austin, was Victor Rico who came to Chile to give a speech and explain how Venture Capital works and also, provide insights to the winery owners, investors and winemakers, how technology could leverage their presence in the world. Sergio Cuadra, winemaker of Fall Creek Vineyards from Texas also gave a speech in Chile and gave the facts about how Climate Change is affecting vineyards around the world and how his experience in #TexanWine could help the Valparaiso Region to adapt to the new conditions. The fund will focus on climate change adaptation, sustainability and integrating new technologies into viticulture and grape genetics. Notably, Chile boasts the largest area of non-grafted, European variety vine stocks globally. The team of #WineInnovaTech is working to structure the WineTech Private Fund, mission that is lead by Luis Felipe Oliva that lives in Mexico and also flew down to Chile to give a speach and gave a workshop with the winery owners, winemakers, potencial investors and public professionals from the Valparaiso Region. The key focus is to attract investors and clients for the wineries and grape producers while creating new business opportunities for winemakers and wineries in Valparaíso’s valleys, which include Rapa Nui-Easter Island, Aconcagua, Casablanca, Marga Marga, Quilpué-Villa Alemana, Lo Abarca-San Antonio-Leyda, and the towns of Algarrobo, Llay Llay and Putaendo.” One of the seminar's highlights was the discovery of a vine from 1650 near a Jesuit church in Putaendo, a city near San Felipe in the Aconcagua Valley, and another at Palacio Rioja, where the event was held. These findings have inspired winery owners to launch a #BioTech initiative for DNA profiling and to plant vineyards using the same genetic material to replicate the ancient 'Vino de Misa'. This initiative will also serve as a pilot wine tourism project in Viña del Mar. Italian winemaker Ettore del Lupo highlighted the significance of the region’s ancestral vines, including a 40-year-old vine at Palacio Rioja and the 1650 vine in Putaendo: “The Valparaíso region must rescue two historic vines, as they validate that this area is one of the oldest with a wine-growing tradition.” Read more at Harpers Wine & Spirit Magazine: https://lnkd.in/ebWRTtgs

I have been traveling heavily for the last couple of years to reacquaint myself with important wine regions and their producers.  Today, I am in Tupungato! It feels like the city in the sky perched here in the high desert of Mendoza’s Uco Valle.  Tomorrow, I am visiting Bodega Catena Zapata, one of the producers featured prominently by my wine program at the Red Oak Steak House.   I am a big fan of their style, but what keeps me interested is their persistent habit of building value into their wine offerings. We pour their Paraje Altamira Malbec by the glass -and with great success!  Guest love the style and recognize the quality and value.    I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Laura Catena last summer at the Master’s of Wine Symposium in Wiesbaden. She presented a 20-year-old Malbec, the 2004 Zuccardi Q Malbec (Mendoza). Which was still youthful and full of life. But the conference was less about old wine and more focused on ‘new skins’…   Primary topics includes industry diversity, regenerative agriculture, and eco-responsible practices (such as bottle weights). On all topics it seemed like Dr. Catena had a lot of offer in terms of insight and enthusiasm… in fact, enthusiasm was the thing that you remember most about her. Enthusiasm tied to boundless energy! Topics I have loaded to investigate for this trip: 1.     High altitude viticulture – I am really looking forward to learning more about mitigation of weather issues at high altitude – and why altitude is so important here. (This topic is tied in a bundle of climate related questions I have). 2.     Organic/Biodynamic/Regenerative Viticulture- as recently as 2020, there were 250 organic growers -according to Tim Atkins’ recent report, that number is already up to over 300.  What are the drivers for this growth and what are the market impacts? What are the work arounds for this arid landscape? 3.     In Atkins’ report, he also touches on new styles of wine emerging from the region along with improved quality. This has been my experience as well. New grapes, new price points, quality up to near perfection.  I tasted the Quimera Blanco recently by Achaval Ferrer (Gustavo Rearte Gil, winemaker). This was a unique barrel-fermented blend of Chardonnay, Semillon, and Viognier. Just another example of a new voice coming from these mountain valleys!  A lot to see this week, but I hope to get to as many of the independent producers as possible -  Any suggestions?   I am only here for 10 days… then on to Salta. #AchavalFerrer #CatenaZapata

What drives land use change and diversification? In the case of Bordeaux its climate change impact on wine style, changing consumer preferences, market saturation with low value wine, DOC restrictions and subsidies. This article highlights some of the many forces that influence land use change and transitions to diversified landscapes. Sadly one-third of the winegrowers in this case will pull out all their vineyards and abandon winemaking altogether. Interestingly the article does not mention winegrowers abandoning or selling their land, they are staying on their land and focusing on adapting. This is likely driven by an intergenerational connection to their land and place. What would happen to Marlborough if a similar scenario played out here? Where much of the vineyard area is owned by large corporations as opposed to individuals with deeper connection to the region. https://lnkd.in/gmv6Vqwh