European Vineyards Target 20% Fungicide Reduction by 2028 With Disease-Resistant Grapevines

Researchers and wine producers across Europe are working together to develop grapevine varieties that are resistant to two of the most damaging diseases in viticulture: downy mildew and powdery mildew. The European project GRAPEBREED4IPM, launched in April 2024, brings together 19 international partners and two associated organizations, including the Spanish research center NEIKER. The initiative aims to reduce the use of chemical fungicides in vineyards by promoting disease-resistant grape varieties, known as DRVs (Disease Resistant Varieties).

The project responds to growing pressure on the wine industry to adopt more sustainable practices. European policies such as the Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy 2030, and the Farm to Fork initiative set ambitious targets for reducing chemical inputs and preserving biodiversity. Grapevines are especially vulnerable to fungal diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew, which can devastate crops and lower grape quality. Traditionally, growers have relied on frequent fungicide applications to control these threats.

GRAPEBREED4IPM focuses on breeding and selecting grapevine lines that combine genetic resistance to these diseases with adaptability to different soils and climates. NEIKER’s role includes technical support for selecting improved plants and collaborating with local growers in Spain’s Basque Country. Researchers evaluate how these new varieties perform under real-world conditions, monitoring their resistance to disease as well as their yield and adaptation to local environments.

Ana Díez, a researcher at NEIKER’s Department of Plant Production and Protection, explains that field trials are essential for understanding how these varieties behave outside laboratory settings. The center also participates in the OSCAR observatory, a network led by French institutions INRAE and IFV. This network collects data from vineyards across Europe where resistant varieties are grown, allowing researchers to compare results from different regions and refine management strategies.

Beyond disease resistance, the project examines how these new grapevines affect vineyard ecosystems. NEIKER is studying biodiversity in plots planted with DRVs under both organic management and low-chemical regimes. Researchers track populations of arthropods, analyze the microbiota associated with grapes, and monitor other ecological indicators. This information will help design farming practices that support environmental sustainability while maintaining or improving grape quality.

One of the main goals is to cut fungicide use by at least 20% by the end of the project in 2028, with a long-term target of a 50% reduction. This would benefit both conventional and organic vineyards. While organic growers use natural products instead of synthetic chemicals, they still depend on regular treatments to control disease. Disease-resistant varieties could reduce this dependence across all types of production.

To help winegrowers adopt these innovations, GRAPEBREED4IPM is developing decision-support tools, phytosanitary management guides, and region-specific planting recommendations. The project will also provide roadmaps for planning and monitoring the introduction of new grapevine varieties.

The four-year project is coordinated by France’s INRAE and supported by a €5 million grant from the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, along with additional funding from Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Other partners include research institutes from Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, as well as private companies such as nurseries and wine producers.

By combining plant breeding with practical field testing and ecosystem monitoring, GRAPEBREED4IPM seeks to make European viticulture more resilient to disease while reducing its environmental footprint. The work underway could shape how grapes are grown across Europe in coming years as climate change and regulatory pressures push the industry toward more sustainable solutions.