The future of Swiss winegrowing is being heavily impacted by climate change, which is leading to more frequent periods of drought and heatwaves. Reducing the use of herbicides, increasing biodiversity and soil life, and conserving water resources are all pressing challenges. Little studied, the choice of rootstock, the underground part of the vine, is nevertheless an important lever for adapting the vine to climate change.
The aim of this project is to examine the potential for adaptation to climate change of a selection of 20 rootstock varieties on four plots located in different vineyard configurations: Valais, Lake Geneva and German-speaking Switzerland. The system comprises six reference varieties and 14 adaptation varieties. The different rootstocks are grafted onto Pinot noir, the most widely planted grape variety in Switzerland (3758 ha in 2022), which has already been affected by the effects of climate change and which allows comparison with other international systems.
The expected benefits go beyond adapting to climate change: On the one hand, the project aims to find a solution for saving water resources and the widespread use of irrigation in Swiss vineyards. Secondly, it is a way of limiting or avoiding the use of fertilisers and herbicides, while preserving the quantity and quality of the harvest. Finally, this project is part of a strategy to preserve the heritage of traditional and indigenous grape varieties and terraced vineyards, which are under threat from global warming.
Project manager
