The Organic Vineyard and Oenology Symposium, held in Vilafranca del Penedès on 19 and 20 November and co-organised by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, INCAVI, INNOVI and the Penedès DO, brought together more than 30 speakers and 200 attendees, becoming for 48 hours the key meeting point for Catalan organic viticulture.

Organic viticulture has consolidated itself as one of the main pillars of organic agricultural production in Catalonia. With over 33,800 certified hectares, nearly 2,000 producers and more than 400 wineries, the country reaffirms its upward trajectory and clear commitment to a production model that respects the environment, biodiversity and soil health.

This sectoral dynamism was evident throughout the Symposium, a two-day event that gathered researchers, producers, technology centres and institutional representatives to share knowledge and jointly address current challenges, especially those linked to climate change, soil management and the competitiveness of the organic sector.

During his address, the Minister highlighted that the area of organic vineyard has increased from 11,706 hectares to 33,790 in just a decade, now accounting for 61% of the country’s total vineyard area. At the same time, the number of organic wineries has risen to 413, confirming a far-reaching structural transformation.

The Minister stressed that “after this exponential growth, the challenge now is to consolidate these hectares and respond to the challenges of climate adaptation, winemaking and marketing.”

The year 2025 has also been key for the territory’s international recognition: the Penedès DO has established itself as the world’s first 100% organic appellation of origin.

The event opened with a reflection on the value of the organic model, based on the balance between the vineyard and its environment, improving soil biological activity, fostering biodiversity and reducing synthetic chemical products.

This approach strengthens vineyard resilience and their capacity to adapt to current climate scenarios.

The symposium programme featured significant participation from INNOVI members, who contributed as speakers and experts in areas such as organic viticulture, climate change impacts, biodiversity and soil management, plant health and copper reduction, adapted varieties and viticultural innovation, consumer behaviour and market trends, and new opportunities in wine tourism.

Participating members included wineries such as Parés Baltà, Gramona, Albet i Noya and La Vinyeta, as well as research institutions such as IRTA, INCAVI, CREDA-UPC, URV and UB, providing applied knowledge, research results and field experience.

Their participation reinforces INNOVI’s role as a space for technological transfer and cooperation among industry, research and public administration.

The Symposium concluded with four simultaneous visits to key organic viticulture sites:

• Vineyard with Andreu Piñol Fernández

• Viver de Cellers del Penedès

• Parés Baltà (vineyard and winery)

• Can Ràfols dels Caus (vineyard and winery)

These visits allowed participants to observe first-hand different organic management models and climate-adaptation strategies.

In the closing session, the Director General of Agriculture and Livestock, Rosa Altisent, underlined the importance of continuing joint work between producers, technology centres and public administration. She highlighted that the aim is to advance towards a more resilient, competitive and respectful viticulture capable of ensuring viability for future generations.

You can watch all symposium sessions via the following links:

• Day 19 – https://www.youtube.com/live/zIrpsrTZuPs?si=R3UF__PM2-VImlg5

• Day 20 – https://www.youtube.com/live/TIeREgbzU5Y.