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SEARCHFavaios Vintners (Re)Learn How to Prune
Adega de Favaios Challenges Its Members to Revive Pruning Practices That Extend the Life and Health of the Vine
The alarm is being sounded by the enologist at Adega de Favaios. “Vine pruning in the Douro, as in many wine regions around the world, is aggressive and mutilating.” According to our Director of Oenology, Miguel Ferreira, this crucial early-cycle intervention is the one that “most influences the health and longevity of the plant, as well as the quality of the wines,” and is clearly “undervalued”: “We talk a lot about actions in the winery, but the vintner can influence wine quality much more than the oenologist.”
Professionalizing pruning should be a priority in the Douro, he argues, acknowledging that “it is alarming to see a producer entrusting a fundamental task for the health and longevity of the vine to unskilled workers with no experience in the field.” “A more respectful pruning approach for the vine is vital for the Douro,” he concludes.
In this spirit, the training in respectful or gentle pruning, organized by Adega between February 27 and March 3, is a pioneering contribution in Portugal to reviving old pruning methodologies that allow for a healthy vineyard and quality production over many years.
The pruning course is part of a series of meetings on regenerative viticulture that Adega de Favaios will promote in the spring of 2023. This training series, open to the entire Douro Demarcated Region, aims to raise awareness among vintners about the importance of adopting viticulture practices that enhance and enrich the vineyard soil, making them more resilient to diseases and climate adversities.
“Given its history and size, Adega Cooperativa de Favaios plays a significant role in the Douro region, and in this sense, we want to involve the Adega as much as possible in the development and pressing issues of current agriculture and ecology, believing that we are thus contributing to the sustainability and future of the territory,” emphasizes Mário Monteiro, President of the Board of Adega de Favaios.
RELAVANT NEWS
Favaios records an increase in the harvest of Moscatel grapes in the 2022 vintage. The cooler climate of the plateau justifies this growth, contrary to what was expected for the Demarcated Douro Region.
Adega de Favaios submits several of its wines to expert tastings every year. This participation in the most important international and national competitions is a testament to our work and the quality of our wines.
Adega de Favaios submits several of its wines to expert tastings every year. This participation in the most important international and national competitions is a testament to our work and the quality of our wines.
