• The partnership between two leading organisations in their respective fields strengthens applied scientific research, knowledge transfer and the Basque Country’s position as a leading region for innovation in viticulture, wine and gastronomy
• The event brought together professionals and wineries to discuss the current and future challenges facing contemporary viticulture and oenology, including Arturo de Miguel (Bodegas Artuke), Carlos Fernández (Bodegas Tierra), Teresa Martínez (Bodegas Aiurri), Alberto Martínez (Bodegas Altún), Andrea Vuelta (Bodegas Baynos), David Sampedro (Bodegas Bhilar), Eva Fernández (Bodegas Maisulan), Gonzalo Sáenz de Samaniego (Bodegas Ostatu)
• The meeting provided an opportunity to share and discuss current and future best practices in the fields of viticulture and oenology

 

EDA Drinks & Wine Campus and NEIKER today unveiled a partnership in Laguardia aimed at strengthening research and innovation in the wine sector. The signing of the agreement, which was announced as part of the latest edition of the “Gotas de Aprendizaje” series, represents a decisive step towards anticipating the challenges that will shape the future of wine and bolstering the sector’s competitiveness.

The agreement is structured around three strategic pillars: science applied to the future of wine, positioning the partnership as a tool to tackle challenges such as adaptation to climate change, sustainability in viticulture, the incorporation of new agronomic practices and varietal innovation; the transfer of knowledge to the sector, which highlights the role of EDA Drinks & Wine Campus and NEIKER in generating and disseminating useful knowledge for wineries, winegrowers, students and professionals across the entire wine value chain; and the consolidation of the Basque Country as a hub for innovation in viticulture, wine and gastronomy, integrating collaboration within the regional innovation ecosystem. Through this partnership, NEIKER becomes an associate centre of the EDA Drinks & Wine Campus, consolidating a model that brings together science and the local region.

Both institutions will work together on various strategic projects aimed at generating scientific knowledge with a direct impact on vineyards and the local area, focusing on the following key areas: biodiversity, the conservation of vine plant material, the use of ground cover, rational fertilisation, irrigation management, disease control, and the management of apple tree alternate bearing.

Olatz Unamunzaga, Managing Director of NEIKER, and Joxe Mari Aizega, Managing Director of the Basque Culinary Center, have discussed the scope and significance of the new agreement. Olatz Unamunzaga emphasised that “at NEIKER, we believe that research only has a real impact when it reaches the people and businesses that can turn that knowledge into practical solutions for the sector. This agreement with EDA Drinks & Wine Campus allows us precisely to strengthen that connection between science, training and business activity, whilst also incorporating a perspective that is closely attuned to the market and new consumer demands. The combination of our capabilities will help to accelerate the transfer of knowledge to wineries, winegrowers and professionals, fostering a wine-growing sector better equipped to respond to present and future challenges.” Joxe Mari Aizega, for his part, emphasised that “from the open-minded perspective of EDA Drinks & Wine Campus, we are firmly committed to this partnership and are therefore particularly excited to be taking this step alongside NEIKER. “This agreement reinforces EDA’s holistic vision and will help to drive scientific research in viticulture, enabling us to explore new practices and work more closely with wineries, winegrowers and industry professionals. EDA was established to bring people together and build a shared future, and this agreement is also an invitation to the sector to continue pooling our capabilities in order to move towards a more innovative and sustainable future for wine.”

Amaia Barredo, Regional Minister for Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, emphasised that “the future of Basque viticulture must be built on a solid foundation of knowledge, talent and innovation. The collaboration between EDA Drinks & Wine Campus and NEIKER represents a strategic commitment to aligning research and knowledge transfer with the sector’s real needs. We want a competitive, sustainable wine industry that is capable of generating opportunities in our villages without sacrificing its identity or its deep roots in the region”.

 

A day for sharing knowledge, experiences and strategic visión

The agreement was also unveiled during a technical conference that brought together industry professionals to discuss the current challenges and trends shaping contemporary viticulture and oenology.

Roberto Ruiz, Director of Territorial Impact at NEIKER, presented the latest developments in science applied to vineyards and the role of demonstration plots as a tool for accelerating knowledge transfer. The session featured contributions from Eva Fernández Jalón (Bodegas Maisulán) and Alberto Martínez (Bodegas Altún), who shared their perspectives from a professional standpoint. Eva Fernández de Jalón pointed out that “We must be very respectful of the environment. It’s a way of setting yourself apart.” For his part, Alberto Martínez noted that for them, “working with NEIKER has been essential. It has provided us with a wealth of knowledge.”

This was followed by a round-table discussion featuring David Sampedro (Bodegas Bhilar), Carlos Fernández (Bodegas Tierra) and Teresa Martínez (Bodegas Aiurri), who shared their perspectives on contemporary viticulture. David Sampedro emphasised the need to have “respect for the soil and to fight for the land. ‘To maintain and improve it.’ Carlos Fernández agreed that ‘respect for the soil is everything. The more you respect the soil, the more identity the wines have afterwards.’ Teresa Martínez added that ‘we must preserve the knowledge of the past and make the most of new technologies.’ The panel was moderated by Yolanda Ortiz de Arri.

The session continued with a segment focusing on trends in winemaking, featuring Arturo de Miguel (Bodegas Artuke), Gonzalo Sáenz de Samaniego (Bodegas Ostatu) and Andrea Vuelta (Bodegas Baynos). Arturo De Miguel emphasised that “in the future, I would like to see a Rioja Alavesa that is self-assured, focused on its vineyards and villages, and which supports recognition and innovation”. “And all that without forgetting where we come from.” Gonzalo Sáenz de Samaniego pointed out that “without training we won’t have a good Rioja Alavesa, and without loving ourselves and putting in the effort, neither will we.” Andrea Vuelta concluded: “I believe strongly in Rioja Alavesa, in young people and in new projects. I hope the future is promising. With common sense and hard work, everything works out.” The panel was also moderated by Yolanda Ortiz de Arri.

To round off the day, Elisa Úcar, director of EDA Drinks & Wine Campus, outlined the project’s progress and emphasised that “this agreement enables us to take another step forward in our commitment to innovation and research. At EDA, we will continue to work to ensure the sector has the tools and strategic vision to make an impact in the region. Our commitment is to support the sector with solutions born of collaboration and joint efforts, and this partnership with NEIKER reinforces precisely that vision of the future of wine.”