The SOSVITI project was actively represented by Manuel Seeger and Lars Engelmann, from IBLA (Institut fir Biologesch Landwirtschaft an Agrarkultur) and the University of Trier, during the VitiForstDay held last week at the Institut viti-vinicole (IVV) in Remich, Luxembourg. The event brought together 60 participants from four countries, reinforcing the growing international interest in agroforestry systems in viticulture.
Organised within the framework of the VitiForst project by Corinne K., Daniel Molitor, and Kristina H., the event served as an important platform for knowledge exchange, applied research, and stakeholder engagement, all of which are key pillars of the SOSVITI project. The day was officially opened by Minister Martine Hansen, whose welcoming address highlighted the strategic importance of sustainable land-use practices in viticultural landscapes.
Scientific Contributions and Practical Case Studies
The morning session featured a series of high-quality scientific inputs and applied case studies addressing the integration of trees into vineyard systems:
- Christian Zörb presented scientific insights on the ecological and agronomic benefits of tree–vine interactions.
- Valentin Verret (Agrof’île) showcased successful VitiForest examples from Italy and France, illustrating practical implementation pathways.
- Benoît Vinet, a pioneer in vineyard agroforestry since 2008, introduced the holistic agroecological approach developed at Domaine Emile Grelier.
- Jerry Huss (SER) concluded the session with an overview of funding opportunities supporting agroforestry systems.
These contributions strongly resonate with the objectives of SOSVITI, particularly in relation to soil conservation, biodiversity enhancement, and climate-resilient vineyard management.
Field Visits and Knowledge Transfer
In the afternoon, participants took part in field visits to three VitiForst parcels around Remich, enabling direct discussion and hands-on observation:
- The IVV experimental plot, linked to the DryVineyard project
- Two vineyard parcels at Domaine L&R Kox, including a site currently monitored within the VitiForst project
These field-based activities fostered in-depth exchanges between researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders, underlining the importance of applied research and co-creation with winegrowers, a central approach also embraced by the SOSVITI project.
Strengthening European Collaboration
The participation of Manuel Seeger and Lars Engelmann at the VitiForstDay reinforces the role of IBLA and the University of Trier as key partners within SOSVITI, contributing expertise in agroforestry, sustainable viticulture, and environmental management. Their involvement highlights the strong synergies between SOSVITI, VitiForst, and DryVineyard, and demonstrates the added value of cross-project collaboration at the European level.
The SOSVITI consortium warmly thanks the Institut viti-vinicole (IVV) for hosting the event, all invited experts for sharing their knowledge, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture for supporting innovative projects that promote sustainable viticulture, biodiversity, and effective knowledge transfer.
