Summary
- Profile Type
- Research & Development Request
- POD Reference
- RDRIT20250313015
- Term of Validity
- 14 March 2025 - 14 March 2026
- Company's Country
- Italy
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
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The project aims at teaching the traditional and organic viticulture (on sandy soils) of grape (piede franco) in lands at risk of oblivion and coach new winemakers.
The team is currently looking for:
- Financial support
- Researchers
- Partners Companies interested in sharing the traditional viticulture method of cultivating old grapes growing on sandy soil
- other grapes and wine producers in Europe. - Full Description
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The client is an organic factory and winery, whose cultivation area is 2.5 hectares (3 old Carignano DOC vineyards in Sardinia (Italy), with vines from 40 to over 100 years old, with native roots that, growing on sandy and sandy-clay soils and an olive grove of about 300 olive trees). Since 2011, the company has been notified as organic. The winery produces wine from its own grapes in its wine cellar, following an artisanal winemaking method, whose processes are mostly manual but also controlled and analysed. The client uses solar energy and water recycling. The production of wines is about 2500-3500 bottles each year, depending on the season.
The company produces its grapes and wines by using both traditional and organic techniques, which include: 1) cultivating old vines near to the see, 2) sandy and clay terroirs, 3) transformation of the grapes in the winery located close to the vineyards 4) piede franco ungrafted (natural) roots, 5) spontaneous fermentation 6) blending of the separated young wines coming from the three old vineyards, 7) only a microfiltration, 8) maturation at controlled temperature using energy from solar panels.
Piede franco is relevant for the biodiversity and a better adaptation to the changed climate. In the latter half of the 19th century, the rapid spread of phylloxera caused the death of nearly 80% of European vine varieties. European vines began to be grafted onto American rootstocks, which were resistant to phylloxera at the root level.
A crucial factor often protecting vines from phylloxera is sandy, clay, or volcanic soils. Sardinia has preserved ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines. The roots of the vines can penetrate deep into the sand, reaching layers of earth where the pest cannot survive. This natural phenomenon created a sanctuary for ungrafted vines, allowing the region to develop wines with a distinctive and inimitable profile.
Ungrafted old vines in Sardinian territory can be a notable case study in the wine world. The peculiarity of its terroir, influenced by the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea, gives Carignano wines unique characteristics, highly appreciated both nationally and internationally.
Currently, four local viticulture teachers are available to give the lessons at these Sardinian old vineyards, teach how to became professional viticulture specialized in Piede Franco (own routs), alberello vines growing on sandy soil. - Advantages and Innovations
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A similar teaching process could be done in different winery partner from EU.
The project will produce digital material that can also be useful for research, cultural and touristic purposes, such as:
1. Research on piede franco roots
2. Research on climate changes and adaptation of the vine growing on sandy soil, by comparing old methods versus new modern methods.
3. Attracting more interested people to participate to this project and to learn traditional techniques.
4. Sharing knowledge with other grapes producers in Europe, especially those cultivating grapes on sandy soils - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
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The project is currently looking for:
-Investors / financial support organisations
-Researchers able to study climate changes on similar sandy terroir and on piede franco ungrafted roots.
-Companies, institutes of research, training / teaching that are interested in creating a new digital teaching method in viticulture, to save and share the traditional viticulture method of cultivating old grapes growing on sandy soil
-Other grapes and wine producers in Europe. - Stage of Development
- Concept stage
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- IPR status
- No IPR applied
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
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The partners are expected to contribute as follows:
-Investors interested in contributing financially to the project
-Researchers to analyse: piede franco ungrafted roots specifics, and similar sandy terroir characteristics;
-Companies, institutes of research, training / teaching: to cooperate in creating new digital teaching methods in viticulture, to save and share the traditional viticulture method of cultivating old grapes growing on sandy soil
-Other grapes and wine producers in Europe to share their knowledge and preserve culture heritage. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME 11-49
- SME <=10
- SME 50 - 249
- Other
- University
- R&D Institution
- Big company
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
Call details
- Framework program
- Ideas
- Call title and identifier
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To be identified
- Coordinator required
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No
- Deadline for EoI
- Deadline of the call
- Ideas
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 10002005 - Biodiversity / Natural Heritage
- 07001001 - Agriculture Machinery / Technology
- 11002 - Education and Training
- 010002002 - Biodiversity
- Market keywords
- 04010 - Microbiology
- 09005 - Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Animal Husbandry & Related Products
- 04006 - Cellular and Molecular Biology
- 07003001 - Wine and liquors
- Sector Groups Involved
- Tourism
- Creative Industries
- Proximity & Social Economy
- Agri-Food
- Targeted countries
- All countries