OIV Awards Grants to Five Research Projects Targeting Wine Industry Sustainability and Innovation

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) has announced the five research projects awarded grants for 2025, aiming to address some of the most pressing challenges in the global vitivinicultural sector. The selected projects focus on sustainability, climate change adaptation, technological innovation, and strengthening the resilience of the wine value chain.

The OIV grants program is designed to support scientific research that can help the wine industry adapt to evolving environmental, economic, and consumer demands. Each year, the organization awards both short-term and three-year research grants to postgraduate researchers working on projects aligned with its strategic priorities. The funding comes from a combination of OIV’s own budget and contributions from a consortium of leading wine companies worldwide.

For 2025, the five projects receiving OIV grants cover a range of topics critical to the future of viticulture and winemaking. In sustainable viticulture, Asier Camara will lead a 15-month study on alternatives to copper for controlling Plasmopara viticola, a major grapevine pathogen. The project will investigate interactions between grapevines, their microbiota, and pathogens using a rhizotron system.

Addressing climate change adaptation, Felipe Ignacio Suarez Vega will conduct a six-month project developing high-resolution lysimetric systems to evaluate how grapevine stomata respond to water stress. This research aims to improve understanding of grapevine water use efficiency under changing climate conditions.

In the area of value chain resilience, Syuzanna Mosikyan’s 12-month project will explore genome editing techniques for grapevines. The goal is to enable more sustainable wine production by developing vines better suited to global challenges.

Two projects focus on technological innovation in winemaking. Isela Mejia Fonseca will lead a 36-month study on strategies to improve the sensory quality and stability of dealcoholized wines, responding to growing consumer interest in lower-alcohol options. Inés Horcajo Abal will conduct a 12-month project optimizing oenological processes and assessing the stability of canned wines through chemical and sensory analysis, reflecting new trends in wine packaging and consumption.

The OIV’s grant program is supported by a consortium of major international wine producers: Familia Torres (Spain), Masi Agricola (Italy), Moët & Hennessy (France), Sogrape (Portugal), Viña Concha y Toro (Chile), and Yalumba Family Winemakers (Australia). This marks the third consecutive year these companies have partnered with OIV to fund research grants. Their financial contributions help ensure that ambitious scientific projects can move forward while maintaining research independence.

By supporting these projects, the OIV and its partners aim to foster innovation and sustainable development across the global wine sector. The research outcomes are expected to provide new tools and knowledge for producers facing environmental pressures, shifting market demands, and regulatory changes. The grants also contribute to postgraduate training and capacity building within the industry.

The OIV’s commitment to research reflects broader efforts within the wine community to address climate change impacts, reduce environmental footprints, enhance product quality, and ensure long-term economic viability. As these projects progress over the coming months and years, their findings may shape practices in vineyards and wineries around the world.