ABSTRACT. Climate change is profoundly affecting wine production globally. Increasing temperatures induce advanced phenology, shifting the ripening period to a warmer part of the summer. Modified climatic conditions during grape ripening alter grape composition and induce changes in wine typicity. Increased drought reduces yield, while its effect on wine quality can be sometimes positive and sometimes negative. In order to continue to produce high quality wines with a typicity that matches consumer’s demand, winegrowers need to adapt. One major lever for adaptation is changing grape varieties to more heat and drought tolerant cultivars. However, this raises questions about maintaining wine typicity in regions with protected origin. This research addresses this issue for the Bordeaux wine production area with a multi trait approach, investigating phenology, drought resistance, aromatic composition and sensory analyses of the wines produced from candidate cultivars to complement the Bordeaux varietal mix for increased resilience to climate change.

ABSTRACT. Torontel (Vitis vinífera L.) is an autochtonous Peruvian grape variety1 issuing from the crossing between Listan Prieto and Muscat of Alexandria, which were introduced to South America by Spanish missionaries in the 16th century. While traditionally used to produce Pisco (an emblematic Peruvian spirit), some wineries are exploring the production of still and sparkling wines with this grape variety. However, little is known about its oenological potential, its sensory profile and agroclimatic characteristics. In order to bridge these gaps, this project studied the agronomical characteristics of Torontel grapes grown during 3 years (2023 - 2026) in the Ocucaje district (Ica valley, Peru), as well as the aroma composition and sensory profile of their wines. According to the results obtained, Ocucaje, which is a desert coastal region located 35 km from the Pacific Ocean at 310 masl, can be considered a very warm region (Winkler Region V), with a warm climate (HI+2) and temperate nights (IF-1)2, and alluvial alkaline soils of medium to low fertility. Under these agroecological conditions, Torontel grapes had medium to high yield (18400 kg/ha), medium-sized conical-cylindrical bunches (360 g) with moderate compactness levels. Berries were broad ellipsoid, with medium skin thickness, greenish yellow through golden skin color and muscat aroma. Wines were made with these grapes and analysed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) as well as gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) to evaluate their aroma composition3,4. The main compounds detected were 1-propanol, 1-butanol, isobutanol, acetaldehyde, 2- and 3-methyl-1-butanol, ethyl lactate and ethyl acetate, as well as a range of terpenes (nerol, geraniol and ß-citronellol), esters (ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl 2-phenylacetate, diethyl succinate and hexyl acetate) and volatile phenols (4-vinylguaiacol and 4-vinyl phenol). The wines were described as having a fruity and floral sensory profile5. This work describes for the first time the agronomical and aromatic characteristics of Torontel, an interesting white grape variety with muscat aroma capable of growing in warm and arid environmental conditions.

ABSTRACT. Climate change is increasingly disrupting viticulture by decoupling technological and phenolic maturity, thereby threatening grape aromatic quality. The CLIMAROMA project, initiated in March 2024, investigates the impact of climate and ripening on the aromatic and phenolic composition of Grenache grapes and wines, and aims to develop adaptive strategies. The study spanned two vintages (2024–2025) and includes 28 vineyards (20 in Spain, 8 in France), grouped into three climatically homogeneous zones (A, B, C) using bioclimatic indices and k-means clustering. Grapes were sampled at three ripening stages: P1 (≈21 °Brix), P2 (+10–14 days), and P3 (+10–14 days after P2). Analytical approaches included classical oenological parameters, phenolic profiling (Cromoenos®), volatile compound quantification (SIFT-MS), and aromatic potential assessment via hydrolyzed mistelles. Micro-vinifications at P1 and P2 enabled detailed gas chromatography-based aroma profiling and sensory evaluation. Preliminary 2024 results reveal that sugar concentration is significantly higher at P3 in zone A compared to zone C. At P1 and P2, sugar concentrations were comparable across climatic zones, enabling a valid comparison of aromatic maturity at equivalent technological maturity. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of hydrolyzed mistelles revealed a progressive increase in the concentration of aroma precursors from early to later ripening stages within P1. However, at P2, the PCA clearly differentiated samples based on their climatic origin, indicating that climate exerts a stronger influence on aromatic potential at more advanced ripening stages. The concentration of extractable anthocyanins (CEA) increased significantly with ripening across all zones. Notably, zone B exhibited the highest CEA values at lower sugar concentrations, suggesting an earlier and more efficient phenolic development. This was further supported by a lower phenolic maturity index in zone B, particularly at P2 and P3, indicating optimal phenolic maturity was achieved earlier compared to other zones. Wine analysis shows distinct aromatic profiles at P1 across all zones. From P1 to P2, wines from zones A and B undergo more pronounced compositional shifts than those from zone C, with A and B converging in aromatic profile at P2, while C remains distinct. Fruity and floral aromas dominate in zone A at P1, whereas woody and spicy notes characterize zone C. In total, 25 aromatic compounds were identified in grapes and 30 in wines, confirming the influence of climate and ripening on aromatic expression. These findings support the identification of viticultural zones better suited to future climatic conditions and inform targeted adaptation strategies for Grenache cultivation.

ABSTRACT. Climate change poses a significant threat to viticulture, particularly for prestigious, terroir-driven varieties like Aglianico in Southern Italy. As rising temperatures and drought alter the environmental interactions between soil, plant, and climate, there is a growing risk that the resulting wine will lose its traditional typicity. This study evaluates the implementation of precision irrigation not merely as a rescue intervention, but as a strategic tool to modulate vine physiology and preserve oenological quality. A three-year experiment (2023–2025) was conducted in a 2-hectare Aglianico vineyard in Montemiletto, Italy, comparing two treatments: Rainfed (RF) and Controlled Deficit Irrigation (CDI). In the CDI treatment, a remotely managed drip system regulated water supply to maintain leaf water potential (LWP) between -1.3 and -1.45 MPa. The study utilized environmental monitoring, UAV multispectral imaging, and physiological measurements to assess vine performance and grape composition. Results indicated that RF vines experienced significantly higher water stress, with LWP values increasing by 14–26% compared to CDI vines across the observed seasons. This stress corresponded to a yield reduction of 10–20% in the rainfed vines. Biochemically, the strategic application of water proved critical in mitigating heat-induced acid degradation. Irrigated grapes maintained approximately 30% higher malic acid and 15% higher total acidity compared to RF grapes. Furthermore, while RF grapes exhibited higher anthocyanin concentrations, the CDI treatment resulted in a better metabolic balance, reducing Total Soluble Solids (TSS) by about 4% to prevent the excessive gap between technological and phenolic maturity often caused by water stress. In conclusion, precision irrigation demonstrated a capability to stabilize grape quality against climatic variability. By actively managing the vine's water status, the CDI strategy fostered a more controlled ripening pattern, ensuring the production of wines that continue to express their distinctive terroir identity despite increasingly unpredictable environmental conditions.

ABSTRACT. Terroir influences winegrape production and thereby wine quality, style, product image, and ultimately the reputation of a region. Typically defined in terms of climate, soil, topography, and the like, there could also be chemical verification of terroir based on the effect of biophysical factors on grape composition. This could be especially useful when focusing on finer scales of terroir, such as subregion or even single vineyard. To enable the implementation of data-driven terroir classification, this study employed an absorbance-transmittance and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (A-TEEM) approach to determine the molecular fingerprints of bottle-aged Shiraz research wines produced from five subregions of the Barossa Valley in South Australia. Classification models were developed from A-TEEM data using extreme gradient boosting discriminant analysis (XGBDA) with cross-validation, yielding 100% accuracy for prediction of vintage year and 99.5% accuracy for subregion. Using an external validation approach based on splitting the data into training and testing sets, vintage year and subregion classification accuracies remained impressive, at 98.8% and 93.8%, respectively. Addressing model stability over time, classification of a subset of the bottle-aged wines using a previously developed XGBDA model yielded 100% correct class assignment according to vintage year and over 90% accuracy according to subregion for wines from 2018 and 2021. Importantly, 2021 wines were not included in the original model, which highlights the robustness of the approach when analysing new wines as well as those that have aged since the generation of the model. As such, the influence of terroir on wine molecular fingerprints was conserved over time and upon ageing of wine in bottle. Considering the close proximity of the subregional sites, this work emphasises the potential of A-TEEM and machine learning to objectively classify terroir at a fine scale based on potentially subtle differences in wine composition.

ABSTRACT. A plant’s cuticle layer is an external waxy barrier to the lipid membrane and the plants first line of defense. The cuticle and membrane layers’ morphology and composition change in response to the fruit’s developmental stage and physiology. It is important to understand how the developmental changes of these barriers affect the fruit’s defense to environmental exposures. This work investigates the formation of smoke related compounds and the relationship with cuticle and lipid membrane layers of grape skins. In particular it is of interest to determine if these two factors are playing a role in the different levels of smoke taint that arise within different varietals during the same smoke event. Twelve Vitis vinifera wine grape varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot noir, Syrah, Malbec, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot gris, and Sauvignon blanc) were investigated. Grapes were harvested at 2 time points and smoked in custom smoking chambers, as no natural event occurred that year. Skin thickness was measured using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and compared with smoked volatile polyphenol and smoked thiol concentrations to determine if there is a varietal difference in smoke taint. Skin lipid extraction was measured using UHPLC-MS/MS to determine if the lipid composition of the skin effects smoke taint formation.

ABSTRACT. Anti-hail nets can protect canopies and reduce heat stress, although their effectiveness depends on multiple factors and requires further study. The research evaluated if and how different shading nets affect grapevine physiology and agronomic performance in a Mediterranean environment. The trial was run in two vineyards from Colli Piacentini planted with cvs. Malvasia di Candia Aromatica (MACA) and Barbera (BA). Anti-hail nets (AHN), shading nets (SN), and anti-rain nets (ARN) were compared to a control (C). Nets were installed after budburst and lifted before harvest. Sentinel vines were monitored throughout key phenological stages for leaf gas exchange and stem water potential, while yield components, berry sunburn, and fruit composition were assessed at harvest. Gas exchange measurements considered leaf position and canopy side, preserving natural leaf orientation. Despite nets resulting in differential canopy shading according to commercial properties, physiological responses were less than proportional. Net type influenced photosynthesis in both cultivars, but to a different extent. In cv. BA, SN achieved the highest assimilation rates (+0.69 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ compared with C on DOY 176), despite experiencing 35% lower PAR than C vines. AHN showed rates comparable to C, whereas ARN exhibited the lowest values. In cv. MACA, photosynthesis was reduced under ARN compared to C on DOY 203, while SN preserved assimilation rates similar to C vines. In BA vines, C and ARN exhibited the lowest ΨST values (-1.06 MPa on DOY 203), while SN had the highest (-0.96 MPa). In MACA, the difference in ΨST between SN and C mirrored that observed in Barbera (-1.10 MPa vs -1.20 MPa, respectively). Nets did not affect yield or basic fruit composition but significantly reduced bunch sunburn in both cultivars. Across all net types, sunburn incidence was reduced by 73–97% compared with the control, with effectiveness proportional to the degree of shading (SN > AHN > ARN). Ongoing analyses aim to address the effects of net type, cultivar, and row orientation, and to assess their influence on cluster microclimate, anthocyanin synthesis, and organic acid metabolism.

ABSTRACT. In the pursuit of more sustainable viticulture, many winegrowers have drastically reduced nitrogen (N) fertilisation and abandoned chemical weed control in favour of permanent grass cover. While these practices benefit soil health and biodiversity, they often increase competition for water and nutrients. After several years, such competition can lead to vine stress, characterized by reduced vigour, lower yields, and a decline in wine quality. White grape varieties are particularly sensitive to N deficiency, resulting in wines with fewer varietal aromas and increased bitterness or astringency (Bell and Henschke, 2005; Verdenal et al., 2021). Although winery N additions help to maintain fermentation kinetics, they do not produce wine with similar sensory characteristics (Tian et al., 2022).

To address these challenges, Agroscope launched the “Azote Vaud” project (2024–2026) with the financial support of the canton of Vaud and the Bovard Foundation. The project aims to evaluate the combined effects of soil management and N fertilisation on vine N status, yield, and wine composition. A network of eight experimental plots was established in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, planted with Vitis vinifera Chasselas and with a common split-plot design. The treatments compare full grass cover versus a weeded vine row, and localized soil N fertilisation (50 kg N/ha) versus no fertilisation. In 2025, three out of eight plots were vinified to investigate the relationship between the two combined factors and the composition and sensory properties of the wines.

Preliminary results reveal substantial differences in the yeast assimilable N (YAN) content of musts across the network, with most plots falling below the critical deficiency threshold (<140 mg N/L). Simple weed removal under the vine row significantly increased YAN concentration by an average of +28 mg N/L compared to fully grassed plots. The combination of weed control and localized N application successfully restored YAN levels above the deficiency threshold, confirming the strong influence of soil management on vine N nutrition and the complementary role of fertilisation. The 2025 winemaking is currently underway, and a synthesis of the results from 2024 and 2025 will be presented.

The project will continue through 2026, with further analyses focusing on soil composition, vine recovery and wine composition. These results will provide practical guidance for balancing sustainability goals with the nutritional requirements of the vine, ensuring both environmental and oenological quality in Swiss viticulture.

ABSTRACT. In the wine industry, terroir’s concept connects environmental, biological and cultural factors with consumer perception and product identity. Terroir is central to both enological research and marketing. However, its interpretation varies across countries and demographic groups, revealing the diverse cultural understandings of wine. This study examines how consumers in different countries perceive terroir in relation to other wine attributes, and the impact of sociodemographic factors on this perception. Data were collected online using the CAWI method and a Correspondence analysis (CA) was employed. The results show that terroir emerges as a distinctive, culturally embedded concept primarily associated with Spain and Italy, where it reflects tradition, locality and authenticity. By contrast, Northern European consumers place greater value on sustainability-related attributes such as ethical practices, certifications and fair pricing. The perceptions of terroir also vary by demographic profile and countries. These findings emphasise that terroir is a multifaceted, culturally distinct concept, providing valuable insights for producers who are looking to strengthen market differentiation and communicate origin-based and sustainability values more effectively and policymakers to foster territorial branding strategies.

ABSTRACT. Sustainable consumption is becoming widespread, reflecting a shift in values and food choices. Wine combines the symbolic and experiential aspects of consumption with the environmental and territorial value of production. The relationship between sustainability, attitudes and wine preferences differs for wine in relation to its strong hedonic and emotional value. The study aims to analyse wine consumers' sustainable orientations and preferences in six countries and to identify consumer profiles. A Principal Component analysis showed two components: Green purchasing attitude and Hedonic-traditional orientation. A segmentation approach is used to explore how attitudes regarding sustainability shape the heterogeneity of wine consumers across countries. Using these components, a cluster analysis identified four consumer segments: Wine is just wine (18.8%) included uninvolved consumers with limited interest. The Green idealists (33.4%) prioritise sustainability over hedonistic aspects. The Don't touch my wine group (20.6%) was traditional and valued the sensory aspects of wine. The Balanced hedonists (27.2%) integrated sustainability with enjoyment, showing a balance between responsibility and pleasure. Socio-demographic attributes define a meaningful profile in terms of age and gender and country of origin with significant differences. Younger Italians have proven to be careful in choosing sustainable wines, demonstrating sensitivity to environmental issues, while many US consumers, especially men, have shown little interest in sustainability, instead supporting the hedonistic and pleasurable value of wine, appreciating wines with higher alcohol content. The results highlight the coexistence of diverse orientations towards wine preferences and sustainability. Although one cluster combines sustainability and hedonistic values, the other clusters are polarised. These differences could inform marketing strategies that target consumers. At the same time, promoting sustainable wine in a way that takes cultural and experiential aspects into account could improve consumer awareness.

ABSTRACT. Climate change presents major challenges to global wine production, as rising temperatures and extreme weather events impact vine health, yields, and grape composition (van Leeuwen et al., 2024). In British Columbia (BC), Canada’s principal wine region, the Okanagan Valley, recent freeze damage and wildfire smoke exposure have further compounded these pressures, while increasing summer temperatures and heat stress are accelerating phenological ripening (Hewer & Gough, 2021). These pressures highlight the need for diversified winegrowing regions within the province, including Vancouver Island (48-50°N), where temperate Mediterranean conditions are optimal for cool-climate wine production. This region is particularly well-suited to sparkling wine production, where the long, mild growing season and dry summers allow sufficient ripening while retaining higher titratable acidity, lower pH, and lower potential alcohol (approximately 9% v/v) than grapes destined for still wines. Despite increasing investment and recognition of the Vancouver Island wine sector, the sensory and chemical attributes defining BC sparkling wines remain underexplored, limiting evidence-based approaches for product development and regional positioning.

This study aims to characterize the chemical composition and sensory qualities of sparkling wines from Vancouver Island and other BC regions, benchmarking them against domestic and international comparators to evaluate regional style and climate adaptation potential. Commercially available sparkling wines spanning recent vintages, grape varieties, and production methods (Traditional and Charmat) are analyzed for standard oenological parameters (alcohol, pH, titratable acidity, residual sugar, dissolved CO₂, sulfur dioxide) alongside select volatile aroma compounds relevant to sparkling wine aroma typicity. Targeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis will be applied to quantify esters, C₁₃-norisoprenoids, and C₆-alcohols (Garbay et al., 2023).

Sensory evaluation by an expert panel employs Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) to quantify aroma attributes, including fruit, floral, autolytic, and mineral qualities (Francis & Williamson, 2015). Statistical analyses (ANOVA, PCA, and correlation analysis) integrate chemical and sensory datasets to reveal drivers of aromatic differentiation across regions and production styles.

This research presents the first integrated chemical and sensory characterization of BC sparkling wines, establishing a foundation for regional benchmarking and climate-adaptive production strategies. By linking compositional and perceptual dimensions, this study supports the identification of terroir expression in coastal BC and contributes to the global understanding of cool-climate sparkling wine typicity under changing environmental conditions.

ABSTRACT. The influence of soil on wine composition is a cornerstone of terroir science, yet its functional understanding remains limited. This study tests the hypothesis that formal soil classification systems, such as WRB and Soil Taxonomy, encode pedogenetic processes that shape grapevine metabolism and, ultimately, wine chemistry. The aim is to assess the functional relevance of soil classification systems in relation to wine metabolomic profiles and to explore their potential integration into terroir modelling. To this end, eight vineyard soils from a Mediterranean viticultural district were fully characterized, taxonomically classified, and linked to the chemical composition of corresponding wines through multivariate statistical analyses. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) revealed that specific diagnostic elements, particularly those reflecting horizon architecture, carbonate accumulation, and texture, are associated with distinctive metabolomic signatures, especially in phenolic and aromatic compounds. These findings suggest that soil classification may convey process-based information with interpretive value for terroir science. Beyond empirical evidence, this study introduces SCORE‑V, a factorial conceptual model that formalizes the combined influence of Soil, Climate, Organisms, Relief, Ecosystem history, and Viti-vinicultural practices on wine composition. Inspired by Jenny’s state-factor equation of soil formation, SCORE‑V redefines terroir as an emergent property of interacting environmental and management components. It provides a theoretical and operational scaffold for integrating pedological knowledge into a systemic and dynamic interpretation of terroir functionality.

ABSTRACT. The terroir can be considered as a well-defined area where natural conditions such as geomorphology of location, climate, ventilation, sun exposure, rainfall quantity and distribution, and humidity contribute to the production of a wine that is specific to that area and identifiable through the characteristics of the territory of origin (Bonfante and Brillante, 2022). However, microclimate could differ between vineyards within a region and depend on factors such as aspect, slope, altitude, and surrounding vegetation (Marais et al., 1999). For such a reason it could be possible to identify micro-terroir, or even more limited areas with more specific soil and climate conditions, even at a short distance from each other. For example, the side of a hill will not have the same amount of sunshine at the top or bottom, just as the temperature may be different, or even the water retained by the soil may vary due to the different slope (Strack and Stoll, 2022). Based on these assumptions, the present work aimed at investigating the effects of different exposures deriving from the terrain slope on the phenology, chemical features of berries and wine, with particular focus on technological parameters and total abundance and intrafamily distribution of aromatic compounds. The goal was to identify possible sub-areas based on elevation within the Prosecco Superiore Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG), a macrozone in the Veneto region, Italy. Six vineyards, Vitis vinifera cv. Glera, located in three different areas, each comprising hilly and flat sub-areas and characterized by different microclimate were investigated over a 3-year trial period (2021, 2022 and 2023) from budbreak to harvest in order to detect differences in production traits, phenology and chemical composition of berries and wine among the different elevations within each location . A metabolomics approach based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was adopted to investigate the aromatic profiles of grapes and wine in different vineyards. An altitude-effect on phenology, production and metabolome, with particular regard to volatile terpenoids, norisoprenoids and benzenoids was observed, although to a different extent depending on the site; however, there is also evidence that in the present study differences among the vintages must be considered to avoid misleading terroir-specific effects with those caused by the growing season.

ABSTRACT. Esca is a widespread grapevine trunk disease known to reduce yield and to alter wine composition. However, its effects on wine sensory characteristics remains poorly understood. This study investigated the influence of esca on the chemical and sensory profiles of Bordeaux red wines using a broad panel of wines from two vineyards over three vintages. This experiment takes into account symptom expression during the year of harvest, but also the previous history of symptoms in the parcel. Wines from symptomatic vines exhibited wine composition differences only when symptoms were present during the harvest year. Sensory differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic vine wines were minimal in young wines but became more pronounced with aging. Terroir wines are considered able to age and to develop a typical bouquet after reductive evolution. Aged wines from esca-affected vines showed accelerated color changes toward yellow hues, reduced fruitiness and complexity, and decreased tannin perception. These results indicate that esca has minimal influence on wine attributes early on, but increasingly affects sensory properties over time. This knowledge is important for esca management in the vineyard and the evaluation of Terroir wines intended for long-term aging.

ABSTRACT. Rotundone is the main aroma compound responsible for peppery notes in wines. Its biosynthesis is negatively affected by heat and drought, while the impact of light and particularly ultraviolet (UV) radiation has not yet been established. This study aimed to investigate, under field conditions, the effects of grape exposure and UV treatments on rotundone in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tardif. During the warm 2022 season, four treatments were compared to a control using a randomised complete block design with three replicates per treatment: early defoliation at Eichhorn & Lorenz stage 32 (ED), late defoliation at stage 34 (LD), exclusion of UV-A and UV-B radiations on late-defoliated vines using radiation screens (LD-UV), and four UV-C modulated light applications on late-defoliated vines (LD+UV). No differences were observed between the control and ED, likely due to leaf regrowth limiting the initial increase in cluster exposure. In contrast, the LD treatment resulted in a significant 33 % increase in rotundone. LD-UV did not affect bunch zone air temperature but caused a significant reduction in rotundone, highlighting the key role of UV in its biosynthesis. UV-C treatments applied during daytime had no effect, whereas preliminary results on a limited number of fruiting cuttings suggest a substantial increase when treatments were applied at night. Overall, these results indicate that winegrowers cultivating Tardif can use late defoliation to enhance rotundone biosynthesis even during warm vintages. The effects of UV-C treatments warrant further validation on a larger number of vines under field conditions.

ABSTRACT. This study examines vitivoltaics, where photovoltaic panels are installed in vineyards to generate renewable energy while also providing partial shade to the vines. With climate change bringing more heat and more frequent heatwaves, plus greater pressure on limited water resources, vineyards in hot, dry regions need ways to protect grape production and wine style while reducing their carbon footprint (Jones et al., 2005; van Leeuwen & Darriet, 2016). Vitivoltaic systems may help by moderating the vineyard microclimate while supplying on site clean energy (Marrou et al., 2013; Barron-Gafford et al., 2019). Experimental trials were conducted over three growing seasons using mock photovoltaic panels to create controlled shading treatments, building on previous work on shade and canopy microclimate effects on grapevine performance and wine composition in warm regions (Caravia et al., 2016). These experiments examined how shading affects vine growth, canopy structure, photosynthesis and berry composition in a warm, low rainfall environment. Across seasons, the vines adjusted to partial shading by increasing leaf area and internode length. There were small reductions in carbon dioxide assimilation, but yields were maintained. Grapes grown under the panels ripened more slowly but still reached full maturity. They tended to have higher acidity and nitrogen, which are useful traits for winemaking, while sugar and flavonoid levels were similar to fruit from unshaded vines. Sensory analysis showed that wines made from shaded grapes were of comparable quality to those from control vines when harvested at the same target ripeness, suggesting that partial shading can alter the ripening pattern without necessarily changing wine quality. To see how vitivoltaics might work in a real terroir context, we also draw on observations from a commercial vitivoltaic set-up next to a winery cellar door in a hot, dry South Australian region. This site allows us to explore how photovoltaic structures interact with local soils, topography, mesoclimate and management to influence vine performance, wine quality and visitor experience, in line with contemporary views of terroir as an interaction between natural and human factors (van Leeuwen et al., 2004). Feedback from stakeholders and consumers on vitivoltaics indicates broad acceptance and a sense that renewable energy infrastructure can be part of a modern expression of terroir under climate change. Overall, the results suggest that vitivoltaics can act as a climate-adaptive and terroir sensitive approach that supports reliable grape yields and wine quality while improving the environmental sustainability of vineyards in hot and dry regions.

ABSTRACT. The integration of agrivoltaics (APV) in vineyards can reduce climate and production risks while also generating electricity. Although many studies examine the costs and revenues of solar power, long-term data on how different APV designs affect yield, quality, and vineyard operations remain scarce. This study quantifies the economic effects of agrivoltaic synergies in winegrowing using a transparent, data-lean approach. We build a driver-based model that compares several plots with different agrivoltaic designs to control plots. We then convert the observed differences into annual monetary values for plant protection, water and heat stress, extreme weather (late frost, hail, sunburn, Botrytis), yield, quality, and operability. We combine short-term data from a site in Geisenheim with published evidence and structured expert consultation to define conservative, most-likely, and optimistic ranges. We communicate uncertainty through clear, design-oriented scenarios (high-mounted, vertical, tracking systems) and a one-factor-at-a-time sensitivity analysis. Under explicit assumptions, the modeling indicates that electricity revenues and operational conditions are the main economic drivers. Accordingly, the choice of system design can largely determine profitability. Initial investment costs and the value of wine are additional major drivers. Potential synergies in plant protection, water management, and protection against extreme weather gain economic weight in higher-value sites and in harsh years. Early observations from a weather-affected year align with lower disease pressure and more stable yields, but they do not yet support precise effect sizes. Operability matters: designs that maintain machine access can reduce additional operating costs. The model provides decision-relevant benefit ranges across scenarios and clarifies which assumptions drive results. In conclusion, the driver-based method provides an objective and cautious assessment of the economic effects of agrivoltaics in vineyards despite limited time series. It helps early adopters choose designs that preserve mechanized vineyard operations, clarifying where on-site electricity use adds value and which operational changes to test next. Next, we will examine environmental impacts and the electricity side in more detail to better assess the economic opportunities of optimizing self-consumption in the wine sector.

ABSTRACT. The consequences of climate change represent a real challenge for viticulture. Analysis of past and recent shifts in climate conditions, along with future projections of wine production, highlights the risks faced by the industry on several levels. On the one hand, we observe an advancement of the phenological cycle, leading to an earlier ripening stage (Garcia de Cortázar-Atauri et al., 2016). Rising atmospheric temperatures and increased water stress during ripening lead to organoleptic quality loss in berries, with lower acidity and higher sugar content (Lecourieux et al., 2019; Mira de Orduña, 2010). In addition, yield loss may result from increasingly extreme weather events, such as spring frost, hail, heat waves, or torrential rains. These non-optimal conditions can severely disrupt vine functioning (altered nutrient dynamics, incomplete storage, disease development) and could impact the harvest through increased sanitary pressure from cryptogamic or aerial pathogens, as well as sunburn damage on berries. Furthermore, wine quality is increasingly destabilized by the imbalance in grape composition due to the discrepancy between technological, phenolic, aromatic, and textural ripeness. This complicates the harvest date decisions, which could lead to low acidity and premature development of aging markers (Allamy et al., 2023; Bindo et al., 2013). The concrete effects of climate change are already observed with early-ripening grape varieties such as Merlot. In this context, the Vitisolar project, funded by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and EDF Power Solutions, aims to evaluate the effects of a viti-photovoltaic system on the overall functioning of an existing Merlot vineyard planted in 2012. Its main objectives are to assess the effects on the vineyard agro-system: at the agricultural and oenological levels (soil-plant-grape-wine); on pests and biodiversity (fauna-flora); and to assess compatibility with existing viticultural practices. To study oenological aspects, healthy mature grapes were harvested and vinified for “control” and “under panels” modalities. Then, aromatic and phenolic composition were assessed, together with sensory analysis, on young wines and wines after one year of aging. This work aims to present the initial results regarding the effects of the viti-photovoltaic system on the overall wine quality (WP2.6 of the project).