The lessons start on Monday 6 November and are aimed at those who aspire to become an ampelonaut , the professional figure who has the theoretical and practical skills necessary to conduct monitoring on the vineyards with the aim of increasing the qualitative potential of the vineyard, reducing the costs of management and limit the environmental footprint.
The course is structured into three levels, each with a specific objective. The focus of the first level is observation , the in-depth study of the basics and techniques of monitoring and the understanding of the importance of meteorological aspects. The second level focuses on deduction , that is, it teaches how to apply observation skills in practical situations, such as the management of phytosanitary defenses and the correct estimation of production. Finally, the third level focuses on the connection between vineyard, grapes and wine to evaluate them from a production and qualitative point of view. In this phase we deal with the Bigot Index , the scientific method patented by the agronomist himself which examines the nine viticultural factors capable of directly influencing the quality of the wine. At the end of the third level, two in-person days are scheduled to taste and comment on the wines obtained following the Index parameters.
“The 2023 vintage has put everyone to the test, highlighting how fundamental it is to adopt a working method based on accurate observations and data that allows you to act in a targeted manner, where and when needed, allowing better management of costs – declares Giovanni Bigot – . The Academy offers knowledge, techniques and methods to interpret the trend of the vineyard and best deal with the various situations that may arise. We must learn to cope with climate change and ever-changing seasons, analyzing situations through data to be able to make correct decisions."
There are more than 150 Ampelonauts throughout Italy, increasingly sought after figures in the public and private sector. Among the professionals there are owners and operators of wineries, viticultural technicians, agronomists and oenologists, consultants active in the various Regions, officials of companies producing phytosanitary products and university students.
A dedicated portal is available to students, as well as innovative technologies and tools for e-learning.
Info and registration on the website www.academy.4grapes.it
Perleuve
The Perleuve company was founded in 2012 by Giovanni Bigot, agronomist, researcher and consultant for some of the best wineries in Italy and abroad. The group includes expert agronomists and technicians who deal with technical and management consultancy in the wine sector with the aim of placing the vineyard at the center of the production of quality wines, through a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, with an eye on sustainability environment and people's health. Perleuve's projects include the Bigot Index, an objective evaluation method of the qualitative potential of the vineyard that takes into consideration the nine most important agronomic parameters, and the 4Grapes app, a work tool that allows you to monitor, recognize and detect the conditions of the vineyard, as well as archiving the data collected. Furthermore, in 2020 the 4Grapes Academy was born, the first Italian school dedicated to Ampelonauts, professionals who want to learn how to monitor the vineyard, increasing its qualitative potential and reducing its environmental impact
