European Wine Leaders to Address Climate Change Challenges at Annual Brussels Summit

On October 20, 2025, wine sector leaders, experts, and producers from across Europe will gather in Brussels for the annual Copa-Cogeca Wine Harvest Event. The meeting, held at the organization’s headquarters on Rue de Trèves 61 and accessible online, is set to address the most pressing issues facing the European Union’s wine industry. This year’s focus is on how climate change is reshaping traditional wine production and opening new opportunities for emerging regions.

The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. local time with an introduction by Luca Rigotti, President of the Copa-Cogeca working party on wine. Hans Reiner Schultz from the University of Geisenheim will deliver the keynote address, expected to highlight recent research on climate impacts in viticulture. Following the keynote, a round table will bring together a diverse group of voices from across Europe’s wine sector. Panelists include Ludovic Roux, Vice President of VCF (France); Tiziana Sarnari from ISMEA (Italy); Fernando Ezquerro, President of CAE (Spain); Simon and Sjan Crone, wine growers from the Netherlands; a Swedish wine grower; and Stefano Sequino, Director of the Pinot Grigio delle Venezie consortia (Italy).

The panel will discuss how changing weather patterns are affecting grape growing and harvests in both established and emerging wine regions. Economic and legal challenges will also be addressed, as well as broader social implications for rural communities that depend on viticulture. Organizers say that the event aims to provide a platform for sharing experiences and strategies as producers adapt to new realities brought by global warming.

Interpretation services will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Romanian to ensure broad participation. After the formal discussions conclude at 6:00 p.m., attendees are invited to continue conversations at a reception held at Atelier29 on Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29. The social gathering is expected to foster informal exchanges among participants over glasses of European wine.

Copa-Cogeca represents European farmers and agri-cooperatives and has organized this annual harvest event for several years. The 2025 edition comes at a time when many in the industry are grappling with unpredictable weather events, shifting growing zones, and evolving consumer preferences. The event provides an opportunity for stakeholders to take stock of ongoing developments and consider how best to support both tradition and innovation in European winemaking.

Registration for both in-person and online attendance remains open. Organizers expect strong interest from producers, researchers, policymakers, and others invested in the future of European wine.