Technical mission to Argentina on “Vine Pruning”, from Monday June 19 to Monday June 26, 2023

Technical mission to Argentina on “Vine Pruning”, from Monday June 19 to Monday June 26, 2023

The project “Sustenta Vitis. Integral sustainability program for Argentine wine”, is a project funded by the European AL-INVEST Verde program, under the leadership of Sequa (a global development organization focused on promoting the private sector through international cooperation programs) and co-led by WOFA (Wines of Argentina) and the International Economic Cooperation Agency, Interco Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Interco Nouvelle-Aquitaine coordinates technical assistance, facilitating the transfer of French know-how to implement improvements in the production process.

The project’s first mission took place in Mendoza, Argentina, with technical and practical workshops on sustainable vine pruning given by technical expert Marion Dupont.

On Wednesday June 21, Thursday June 22 and Friday June 23, the programs were held at 3 different bodegas: Bodega Alpamanta, located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza; Bodega Piedra Negra located in el Valle de Uco, 80 km from Mendoza; and Bodega Graffigna Yanzón, a bodega located in San Juan, 150 km from Mendoza. Before the start of each hands-on workshop, expert Marion Dupont and Interco Nouvelle-Aquitaine director Christine Pecastaingts visited the bodegas for preparatory visits to familiarize themselves with the plots prior to the workshops.

The first day of the seminar brought together a number of Franco-Argentine players involved in the Al-Invest Verde project. Various presentations were made: the Al-Invest Verde project, the objective of the sustainable pruning activity within the framework of the program, and the institutions behind the project (WOFA and Interco Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

At the end of the 3-day activity, Marion Dupont proposed some general observations to help improve vineyard management in Argentina. She also gave her opinion on plant physiology (vigor and yield), climatic hazards, bud fertility, production methods, agroforestry and the agricultural machinery used.

The project’s next mission to Argentina will take place from September 19 to 23, with the arrival of viticultural expert and consultant Jean-Philippe Roby and Hélène Lopez, who will be taking part in the Congress on Sustainable Vine Development organized by our partner WOFA (Wines of Argentina) in Mendoza, Argentina.