Overview
Small-scale Alpine vineyards represent a remarkable blend of culture, economy, and ecology. Yet, Alpine Wine Orchards (AWO) are increasingly threatened by water deficits and drought stress, and by extreme weather events, which are leading to a decline in wine quality and threatening the sustainability of the wine sector. This jeopardises traditional cultivation practices and activities that have shaped local identities, cultural heritage, and economies for centuries. RESPOnD co-designs Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and sustainable development solutions with wine practitioners and decision-makers. By validating EbA solutions on the ground and disseminating the knowledge, RESPOnD will contribute to the transition towards climate-resilient management and governance of AWO.
Factsheet
- 2021 – 2027
- Climate resilient and green Alpine region
- SO 1.1 - Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention, resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches
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- AG3 Labour market, education and training
- 09/2024
- 08/2027
- 2.210.915 EUR
- 1.658.186 EUR
Partners
- 46.494530211.3472734
- 44.09897479.7386704
- 45.70173617.2476561
- 48.03967977.1383559
- 43.70417517.2741061
- 47.830041716.5322869
- 45.884248313.9106918
- 45.9423231513.639092655032464
- 49.927079611.587226615128671
- 53.346881-6.25886
- 53.346881-6.25886
Outcomes
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Report on the current conditions and resilience levels of AWO
RESPOnD identifies AWO areas across the AS using a harmonized approach and quantifies the multiple benefits they deliver in terms of ES. Moreover, it provides a collection of wine-specific high-resolutions maps of climate change projections (temperature and precipitation) targeted to inform practitioners, the wine sector, and public authorities at all levels. -
EbA approaches and transition pathways implemented in AWO pilots
Pool of tested EbA approaches with a particular focused on the experiences gained in implementation phase in pilots: description of the success, enabling and hindering factors, the scalability and transferability potential of identified strategies to other Alpine regions (and beyond), acceptance levels among stakeholder, the actions and resources needed for its potential adoption. -
Validated EbA approaches and transition pathways for AWO
Validated solutions for the adoption of EbA measures in AWO, reflecting lessons learned from pilot experiences and outlining different pathways to make AWO more climate resilient. A pool of recommendations and examples is available to support stakeholders and target groups in their transition to more sustainable forms of viticulture across the AS cooperation area. -
Online information and learning environment to mainstream ecosystem-based thinking in AWO
Modular open online platform that supports stakeholders and decision makers in learning, analysing and strategical planning of EbA strategies, specifically designed for AWO. It provides: (i) spatially explicit information on ecosystem services and climate impacts, (ii) learning opportunities around the topics of adaptation and resilience building, and (iii) best practice examples and case studies of successful implementation.
Pilots
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Alto Adige / Südtirol, Italy
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Cinque Terre, Italy
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Valle d'Aosta, Italy
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Ballons des Vosges, France
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Südburgenland, Austria
Südburgenland, located in the southeast of Austria near the Hungarian border, is a region renowned for its rich biodiversity, vibrant cultural heritage, and small-scale, traditional agriculture. Its gently rolling hills are home to a patchwork landscape of fields, flower-filled meadows, vineyards, riparian zones, and forested slopes. This unique mosaic reflects a long-standing tradition of sustainable land use and close interaction between people and nature. The majority of farms and wineries are family-run, often passed down over generations, preserving not only agricultural know-how but also the character of the rural landscape. One of the most charming features of the region are the historic Kellerstöckl—small, stand-alone wine cellars, some of which are still thatched with straw and now serve both practical and touristic purposes.
Viticulture holds a central place in Südburgenland’s identity and economy. As part of the protected designation label Eisenberg DAC, the region is especially known for its expressive Blaufränkisch, a red wine with elegant structure and pronounced minerality, and for the crisp and refreshing Welschriesling. A regional rarity is the Uhudler, made from direct carrier varieties, offering intense aromas of wild berries and bearing deep cultural significance.
However, winegrowers in Südburgenland are increasingly facing challenges due to climate change. These include drought and water stress, shifting precipitation patterns, extreme weather events such as hail and heavy rain, temperature increases, late frosts, and heat stress during harvest periods. In response, many vintners are already experimenting with adaptive techniques: testing different cover crop mixtures, trialing new grape varieties, installing hail nets, harvesting in the cool early morning hours, using dry ice to cool the mash during processing and so on.
Within the RESPOnD project, we expect to strengthen knowledge exchange across regions and among winegrowers, explore innovative approaches to climate adaptation, and better understand local challenges in order to identify practical solutions. Through participatory activities, pilot measures, and targeted tools, RESPOnD will support sustainable and climate-resilient viticulture in this sensitive and culturally rich region.
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Vipavska dolina, Slovenia
The Vipava Valley, located in western Slovenia between the Nanos and Karst Plateaus, is part of the Goriška statistical region and includes the municipalities of Ajdovščina and Vipava*. Known for its mild Mediterranean climate and fertile soils, the region is renowned for viticulture, agriculture, and a growing tourism sector. Its landscape is shaped by the meandering Vipava River and protected Natura 2000 sites, which support rich biodiversity. Alongside traditional farming and wine production, the valley is investing in sustainable tourism, green technologies, and creative industries. Despite facing challenges such as rural depopulation and ageing, efforts in education, innovation, and rural revitalisation aim to attract youth and businesses.
Key needs include better-integrated spatial planning for green infrastructure and water management, as well as stronger coordination between municipalities, institutions, and civil society. There is significant potential in cross-border cooperation, especially with Italy, and in aligning with broader regional development strategies. RESPOnD can build on existing initiatives like ECOVINEGOALS, VISFRIM, GREVISLIN, LEADER/CLLD strategies, and climate adaptation efforts by local municipalities.
Through RESPOnD pilot activities, we expect a thorough analysis of ecosystem-based approaches and the identification of suitable ecosystem-based solutions. By establishing Living Labs, the project will facilitate stakeholder dialogue, particularly between local decision-makers and land users such as winegrowers and farmers. Our goal is to foster long-term collaboration and ensure that project outcomes reflect shared priorities and commitments for a more resilient and sustainable Vipava Valley.
* In Vipava Valley there are three municipalities: Vipava, Ajdovščina and Nova Gorica. But RRA ROD only covers the first two municipalities – Vipava and Ajdovščina. Nova Gorica is under different regional development agency, and that is why we only talk about Vipava and Ajdovščina.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yx8548gRy
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Franken, Germany
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