Colli Berici: a catalog field to save rare vines from extinction

The presentation held on Friday 17 May at the “La Vigna” International Library in Vicenza announced the start of a research project for the creation of a new catalog field . The initiative, introduced by the director Giovanni Ponchia together with the caretaker and winemaker Giovanni Leopoldo Mancassola, involves the creation of a 500 m2 experimental vineyard in Lonigo dedicated to the breeding of approximately 20 ancient wine varieties , including gambugliana, leonicena, pomella, quaiara , redhead burgan, denela and saccola.

“In addition to the objective of safeguarding vines at very high risk of extinction – declares Giovanni Ponchia –, the catalog field aims to offer multi-year monitoring to understand which varieties are most suitable for the current climate challenges”.

“In a world where only 20 varieties contribute to 80% of the production marketed internationally – continues Giovanni Leopoldo Mancassola –, our challenge is to rediscover ancient vines capable of giving life to contemporary and sustainable wines that meet the tastes of young consumers ”.

The catalog field is included, alongside other projects, in the book written by GRASPO which becomes a manifesto to create a network between companies, institutions and research centres, with the aim of identifying, safeguarding and vinifying the numerous native vines in risk of extinction.

During the event, Remo Pedon, president of the "La Vigna" International Library, professor Attilio Scienza, Gianpaolo Girardi, founder of Proposta Vini, and Giovanni Ponchia, director of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Colli Berici e Vicenza, spoke. The founders of GRASPO, Aldo Lorenzoni and Luigino Bertolazzi, also participated in the dialogue, telling some of the fascinating conservation stories of over 100 rare vines contained in the book. The text, which does not limit itself to cataloging the vines at risk of extinction, in fact offers an immersive experience in the Italian viticultural world, crossing all the regions and connecting ampelographers and research centers.