La tenuta Masseria Altemura

Masseria Altemura, nell’entroterra Brindisino, si trova a metà strada tra due mari,  beneficiando sia delle brezze fresche che soffiano dal Mar Ionio, che della salinità tipica del Mar Adriatico. Acquisita nel 2000 dal gruppo Zonin1821, la tenuta comprende 140 ettari vitati immersi in un terroir unico. I suoli, una combinazione di roccia e argilla, e il clima mediterraneo, con estati calde e secche e inverni miti, creano l’ambiente perfetto per una viticoltura di qualità, capace di ospitare una varietà di vitigni di grande pregio, tra cui gemme locali come l’aglianico e il primitivo.

Dal 2005, la tenuta è guidata da Antonio Cavallo, direttore agronomico con una profonda conoscenza del territorio. Laureato in Scienze Agrarie a Bologna ma originario della Puglia, Antonio ha assunto la responsabilità della gestione viticola ed enologica di Masseria Altemura con l’obiettivo di esaltare le potenzialità dell’enologia pugliese, attraverso un approccio che unisce il rispetto della tradizione con la precisione e l’innovazione : “Mi impegno a valorizzare i vitigni autoctoni, adattando la gestione alle loro specificità varietali per farli esprimere al meglio “ afferma Antonio. “Questo significa tenere conto di tutti gli aspetti, dal clima al suolo, fino all’obiettivo enologico.”

Antonio ci descrive la tenuta : “ Circa il 70% dei vigneti é coltivato con uve a bacca rossa di origine locale, con il Primitivo che rappresenta circa la metà della produzione. Poi abbiamo Aglianico e Malvasia Nera. Per quanto riguarda le uve bianche, coltiviamo Malvasia, Fiano, Moscato e Falanghina”. Le rese dipendono dalle varietà:  “ Per il Primitivo siamo attorno ai 70-80 quintali per ettaro mentre per il Fiano e la produzione per il vino rosato le rese sono un po’ più elevate attorno ai 110. “.»

  “Mi impegno a valorizzare i vitigni autoctoni, adattando la gestione alle loro specificità varietali per farli esprimere al meglio “.

Le domaine Masseria Altemura, une viticulture résiliente
La tenuta Masseria Altemura

Un clima in evoluzione

Il clima, negli ultimi anni, ha rappresentato una sfida crescente, complice il cambiamento in corso. Secondo Antonio, in Puglia si sta assistendo a un’alterazione delle tendenze climatiche tipiche della regione, con un aumento sia dell’intensità che della durata dei periodi di pioggia e siccità. “Il cambiamento più evidente riguarda il regime delle precipitazioni, negli ultimi anni abbiamo avuto periodi prolungati di pioggia in periodi insoliti per questa regione “ spiega il direttore agronomico.  “Per esempio, nel 2023 abbiamo avuto una primavera eccezionalmente piovosa e umida, un fenomeno inusuale per la nostra zona.Certo, continuiamo ad avere lunghi periodi di siccità estiva, ma ora assistiamo sempre più spesso a stagioni con piogge irregolari e difficili da prevedere”.

Questi cambiamenti stanno modificando l’approccio alla gestione del vigneto in tutta la regione. “ Gli inverni sono piu’ miti e le fasi fenologiche in anticipo. Quest’anno, ad esempio, il Moscato ha germogliato all’inizio di Marzo e a metà mese siamo già alla fase delle due foglie. Significa che c’é un rischio maggiore di gelate primaverili, come accaduto due anni fa in alcune aree della Puglia. Per il futuro bisognerà considerare anche questo rischio, che prima era raro”.

Anche la pressione fitosanitaria é stata alterata dalla crescente imprevisibilità climatica. Nel 2023, la Puglia ha affrontato una delle peggiori annate mai registrate per la peronospora, aggravata dall’intensa piovosità di maggio e giugno. Masseria Altemura, però, non si è lasciata cogliere impreparata, reagendo con tempestività per proteggere i vigneti. Secondo Antonio: “Il monitoraggio e una pianificazione efficace sono stati essenziali per intervenire con tempismo e salvaguardare la vendemmia.”

« Con il germogliamento in anticipo, per il futuro bisognerà considerare anche il rischio di gelate primaverili, che prima era raro ».

Un irrigazione su misura per ogni varietà

Grazie alla sua gestione attenta e innovativa Masseria Altemura oggi si trova in una posizione privilegiata per affrontare le nuove sfide climatiche. Da anni ha abbracciato una viticoltura sostenibile, che ottimizza l’uso delle risorse con pratiche all’avanguardia e una viticoltura di precisione. Un attenzione particolare viene data alla gestione dell’acqua.  Il sistema di irrigazione goccia a goccia viene attivato solo in caso di stress idrico eccessivo, con un approccio all’irrigazione definito “di soccorso”.

Il clima mediterraneo della regione con estati secche e calde rappresenta sia una sfida che un opportunità : durante i mesi di maturazione gli apporti idrici provengono quasi esclusivamente dall’irrigazione e possono quindi essere controllati per modulare la maturazione. Antonio ci spiega che la strategia di irrigazione è calibrata minuziosamente in base alla varietà, al profilo di vino desiderato e alle condizioni climatiche, con un’attenzione particolare ai risultati viticoli e enologici delle annate precedenti:  “ Ad esempio, se in una determinata annata abbiamo avuto mosti troppo tannici o rese troppo ridotte, l’anno successivo interveniamo per limitare lo stress idrico”.

La gestione precisa dell’acqua è quindi essenziale, non solo per mantenere l’equilibrio vegetativo delle piante, ma anche per definire il carattere dei vini. “Bisogna considerare che ogni vitigno risponde in modo diverso alla disponibilità d’acqua e allo stress” enfatizza Antonio “ La conoscenza del comportamento idrico della varietà é la chiave per garantire il giusto equilibrio tra  vigore e maturazione, garantendo qualità finale del vino” . Continua spiegando:  “I vitigni a bacca bianca in particolare vengono preservati da stress eccessivi per preservare freschezza e mineralità, mentre tra i rossi, la gestione varia a seconda della varietà.”  Qualche esempio?  “ il Negroamaro ha poca resilienza alla siccità, e una volta stressato recupera difficilmente, quindi evitiamo che venga stressato oltre un certo limite. Invece il Primitivo, avendo una buccia fragile, richiede particolare attenzione nelle ultime due settimane prima della vendemmia per evitare spaccature degli acini.”

« La conoscenza del comportamento idrico della varietà é la chiave per garantire il giusto equilibrio tra  vigore e maturazione, garantendo la qualità finale del vino. »

Le domaine Masseria Altemura, une viticulture résiliente
I vigneti della Masseria Altemura

Meno misure, piu’ controllo

Una tale precisione puo’ sembrare difficile da mettere in pratica, ma da anni la tenuta lavora per affinare le sue tecniche di gestione dell’acqua, con l’ausilio di strumenti come la camera di Scholander. Questo dispositivo permette di misurare il potenziale idrico fogliare, cioé la pressione necessaria per estrarre acqua dalla foglia. Particolarmente utile in viticoltura, questo metodo si distingue perché fornisce un indicatore diretto dello stato idrico della pianta, piuttosto che limitarsi a misurare l’umidità del suolo.  Tuttavia, é una tecnica che richiede esperienza e si attua manualmente, richiedendo un impegno quotidiano per un monitoraggio continuo.  Antonio sottolinea : “Quando sono arrivato nel 2005, viste le dimensioni della tenuta, le misure di potenziale fogliare richiedevano l’impegno di una persona a tempo pieno su tutti i tre mesi estivi”.

Per questo, dal 2018 la tenuta di é avvalsa del sistema di supporto alle decisioni Vintel® per l’irrigazione di precisione.  Vintel® fornisce simulazioni quotidiani e previsioni del potenziale fogliare, facilitando il monitoraggio del vigneto e la gestione dell’irrigazione. Questa applicazione é parsa da subito un alleato ideale per la strategia operata da Masseria Altemura, perché é basata su modelli agronomici multifattoriali che considerano suolo, clima, varietà e obiettivi enologici, adattando di conseguenza le raccomandazioni.

Grazie all’integrazione con Vintel®, Masseria Altemura ora dispone di previsioni idriche accurate, che riducono notevolmente la necessità di misurazioni manuali. Questo approccio ha reso l’intero processo più efficiente e meno dispendioso in tempo, senza compromettere la qualità della gestione.  

Le domaine Masseria Altemura propose des vins du terroir.

« Oggi, grazie a Vintel®, il potenziale idrico viene simulato e previsto con precisione, e le misurazioni con la camera di Scholander vengono fatte solo per verifica . Cio’ ci consente di lavorare in modo più efficiente e con maggiore tranquillità. »

Innovazione, sostenibilità e terroir

Masseria Altemura è quindi un esempio emblematico di come una gestione agronomica attenta e l’uso delle tecnologie di precisione siano efficaci per affrontare le sfide viticole attuali, valorizzando il potenziale di un territorio unico e garantendo sostenibilità e resilienza.

Certo, non è sempre stato tutto semplice : “All’inizio, c’è stato un grande lavoro di adattamento, di prove e di analisi per calibrare al meglio il DSS, per definire le strategie e i profili idrici delle varietà” spiega Antonio.

E ogni anno la partita si riapre: il clima cambia, le condizioni variano, e bisogna essere sempre pronti a rimettere in discussione le scelte fatte precedentemente per adattarsi con successo. Ma con il tempo e l’esperienza, Masseria Altemura ha affinato il suo approccio, mettendo a punto strumenti e metodologie che le permettono oggi di affrontare con successo le incognite climatiche e esprimendo al meglio la viticoltura pugliese.

E con il supporto di Vintel® per anticipare lo stress idrico, ora Antonio può perfino concedersi qualche giorno di vacanza in estate — cosa impensabile fino a qualche anno fa.

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As climate change intensifies and water restrictions tighten, irrigation has become a crucial issue for winegrowers. The Roussillon region is a striking example of this challenge: between 2022 and 2024, the area endured three consecutive years of severe drought, testing the resilience of its vineyards.

In 2022 and 2023, the region recorded historically low rainfalls, with less than 250 mm per year —making Perpignan’s climate more akin to that of Tunis than southern France. Even in 2024, with about 400 mm of rain, the figures remained below average, which typically ranges between 500 and 650 mm. The cumulative deficit over three years has been unprecedented.

According to the French Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM), despite some improvement late in 2024, groundwater levels remain alarmingly low as of March 2025.

For winegrowers, the impact has been severe, with yields dropping by as much as 30 to 50% in some areas, leaving the entire industry vulnerable. Given these challenges, sticking to traditional methods is no longer an option. Winegrowers must now evaluate every factor that influences their success and adapt practices and strategies to the changing climate.

Aurélie Mercier, Technical Director at Domaine Cazes (Advini group) shares her experience with us.

The Importance of the first irrigation

Aurélie Mercier, Technical Director at Domaine Cazes (Advini group) in Roussillon, emphasizes that irrigation decisions must be based on multiple sources of information. “ “With water restrictions and drought conditions persisting for the past three years, we cannot afford to waste a single drop. To ensure efficient irrigation, we integrate a variety of tools and methods, including Vintel®’s decision support system (DSS), the pressure chamber, soil tensiometers, and visual indicators such as shoot length and apex monitoring. The key is cross-referencing these data sources to make well-informed decisions.”

At Domaine Cazes, where 100 hectares out of 300 are irrigated, the timing of the first irrigation is crucial. In 2024, for the first time, irrigation was triggered before budbreak due to historically low soil water reserves. “The soil was completely dry, no sap was dripping from pruning cuts and growth was blocked. “ . This lack of soil moisture can cause harmful conditions known as “delayed spring growth“, where dehydrated dormant buds struggle to reconnect with the vine’s vascular system. Without sufficient sap flow to repair winter embolisms and rehydrate buds, shoots may experience stunted growth, wilting, and, in severe cases, fruit abortion. By irrigating before budbreak, Domaine Cazes aimed to restore soil moisture early enough to prevent these issues and support healthy vine development.

“In 2024, for the first time, irrigation was triggered before budbreak. The soil was completely dry, no sap was dripping from pruning cuts and growth was blocked. “

With increasing restrictions on water use, precision becomes even more critical. “Due to water restrictions we can irrigate only five hectares per day, meaning the same plot will not receive irrigation more than once in 2-3 weeks. This means that we need to adjust our irrigation frequency and volume based on what is practically feasible and optimize our choices” says Mrs. Mercier.

The Role of Decision Support Systems Tools like Vintel® provide a significant advantage by modeling soil water availability, vine stress, and helping viticulturists anticipate depletion trends. “One of the most valuable features of Vintel® is its ability to track the dynamics of water loss in the soil’s Available Water Content (AWC). This allows us to plan and avoid critical stress levels,” explains Mercier.

“Due to irrigation restrictions, we can irrigate only five hectares per day, meaning the same plot will not receive irrigation more than once in 2-3 weeks. This means that we need to adjust our irrigation frequency and volume based on what is practically feasible”.

Drought in the vineyards.

The key to a successful strategy

By comparing data from Vintel® with real-time field measurements, Domaine Cazes has been able to refine its irrigation strategy to meet both wine production goals and quality standards, even in challenging years. Whether producing structured red wines or fresh white wines, fine-tuning irrigation ensures the right balance between vine water stress and grape quality, allowing the domaine to maintain both high-quality yields and steady production despite the tough conditions.

For those starting with decision support system and Vintel®, Aurélie Mercier advises comparing multiple data sources at the beginning and calibrating models using pressure chambers to adjust parameters to match simulations in each reference plot, ensuring the accuracy of future predictions.

“With Vintel®, I can monitor changes in soil moisture in real time, which helps me anticipate each plot’s water needs and plan interventions more effectively”.

In the face of increasing climate unpredictability, leveraging technology and real-time monitoring is no longer an option—it is a necessity. Vintel® provides the insights needed to navigate these challenges, ensuring that each drop of water contributes to both vineyard sustainability and wine quality.

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Vineyard irrigation is a necessary part of vineyard management in dry wine growing regions where winegrowers completely or partly rely on irrigation water. With irrigation, winegrowers can control vine growth and grape quantity and quality. This is because water availability is a crucial factor affecting plant physiology and the quality of grapes. In dry production areas such as the Mediterranean region, the use of irrigation is thus a fundamental practice which grants the economic sustainability of viticulture.

Vineyard irrigation and climate change

In addition to areas traditionally considered as “dry” during the growing season, new regions are increasingly showing the need of irrigation. The climate change underway is leading to an increase in temperatures and a reduction in rainfall in the summer period, increasing water stress in vineyards, which could potentially undermine both yield and grape quality. These changes will make it necessary to implement irrigation in viticultural areas for which drought is a new phenomenon. The increase in temperatures will also cause a reduction in the water resources available, making it necessary to decrease the water footprint by using deficit irrigation strategies which optimize water use efficiency.

Such practices are already routinely adopted in viticultural areas with limited rainfall throughout the production season. Indeed, irrigating with small amounts of water has the effect of reducing growth and canopy size, limiting transpiration losses and therefore maintaining production and quality at reduced water inputs. However, particular care must be exerted, as the line between moderate and excessive water stress is very thin and crossing it might lead to incomplete/unbalanced ripening and deteriorate the polyphenolic and aromatic profile of wines. For this reason, a deficit irrigation strategy needs to be carefully planned and its effects need to be continuously monitored.

What is deficit irrigation in viticulture

Deficit irrigation maximizes the efficiency of water use, by concentrating limited seasonal water supplies to drought-sensitive crop growth stages. Outside these periods, irrigation is limited or even unnecessary if rainfall provides a minimum supply of water. Water application is therefore inferior to the actual water needed for maximum growth. While this inevitably results in plant drought stress and some production loss, it maximizes productivity for a given amount of water and stabilizes yields.

For grapevine, the effect of water deficit on fruit growth varies according to the period during which it is applied. Research shows that it is greater when it is applied during berry formation (between flowering and veraison) when can limit cell division and expansion and decrease the final size of berries and total yield. Similarly, a stress applied at the time of flower bud differentiation can negatively impact fruitfulness and production the following year.

Fruit quality is also sensitive to water stress, depending on its levels. Whereas moderate stress can increase sugar concentration and anthocyanins and phenol compounds in berries (thereby enhancing wine color and aroma), excessive stress and high temperatures could cause a photosynthetic limitation reducing the accumulation of sugar. Finally, water stress can impact on acid content in grapes in interaction with temperature. This effect is particularly pronounced after veraison, when rapid acid degradation due to high temperatures and water stress can result in dull wines lacking freshness and crispness.

Using Vintel for deficit irrigation: an experimental study during the Italian drought of 2022

It is now clear that under climate change, the key to viticultural sustainability will be the adoption of smarter and more precise water management strategies. For that, it is crucial to have a complete vision of the water status of vineyards and its evolution over the production season. New technologies provide us with different tools that can support informed irrigation choices, and optimize water use during drought. One of these tools is the irrigation DSS Vintel, which uses accurate plant-soil models to simulate vineyard water status, and give irrigation recommendations, day by day according to production objectives.

A recent study by the university of Udine, Italy, has highlighted that Vintel can indeed help plan and optimize irrigation to preserve production and quality in areas hit by summer drought, which is becoming more and more frequent. Vintel  has been chosen by the University of Udine within the European project “Aquavitis” as a tool to conduct trials on the effects of water availability  and the impacts of climate change on the vineyards of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, in North-Eastern Italy.

Indeed, in the spring-summer of 2022 Northern Italy has experienced one of the worst droughts in the last 70 years, with precipitations reaching a historical minimum and rivers running almost dry. The drought has resulted in water restrictions and has hit hard the agricultural sector, as low river levels made irrigation difficult.

Paolo Sivilotti, the researcher who supervised the trials explains : ” The test was conducted in 2021 and 2022 near Udine. It analysed the response of Pinot gris, a typical variety from the region, to three different water treatments: no stress, moderately stressed, severely stressed. ” To monitor and maintain these water stress levels over the season, Mr. Sivilotti used Vintel, which simulates predawn water potential as an indicator of plant water status.

Using Vintel, water potential was mantained at:

” What was really interesting was to see whether a deficit irrigation strategy could help optimize water use and what level of stress should be maintained after flowering to ensure a satisfactory yield and grape quality. The DSS Vintel was the ideal tool to conduct this study because its models do not just simulate soil moisture but provide a direct estimate of the effect that soil water shortage has on vine water status. The pressure chamber measures made during the growing seasons confirmed the accuracy of simulations, making any DSS adjustment unnecessary.”

No water stress

Moderate water stress

Severe water stress

The results show that “the moderately stressed regime allowed to save 31% and 50% of irrigation water in 2021 and 2022  with modest impacts on yield and physiology, and without any repercussions on quality“. Indeed, a wine tasting panel has tried the wines produced in 2021, and no difference between the stressed and non-stressed wines has been remarked.

“Obviously more studies are needed to assess the best deficit irrigation strategies in different viticultural contexts.”

However, results confirm that under climate change, precision deficit irrigation can be a valuable strategy preserving production, quality and decreasing the water footprint of viticulture.

“Not only, during extreme events like the one that hit Northern Italy this summer, deficit irrigation might be the only possible alternative, if water restrictions are put in place or if water becomes too expensive.” In this context, tools like Vintel are precious allies to vine growers in the creation a climate resilient, more sustainable viticulture.

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Managing water stress in vineyards is crucial to ensuring vineyard health and producing high-quality grapes. Severe water stress can lead to a reduction in berry size, a drop in sugar content and a deterioration in fruit quality. Early detection enables winegrowers to adjust their irrigation strategies, avoiding irreversible damage while optimising the use of water resources.

Methods of detecting water stress

Direct visual observation

Direct visual observation of the canopy is a simple method for identifying water stress in vines. For example, the apex technique involves monitoring the growth of the shoot tips. If growth stops or the young shoots show signs of wilting, this is an indication of water stress. However, these qualitative methods often only detect stress only at advanced stages, making it more difficult to prevent damage.

Illustrations of apex methods:

Source : Observation of vine shoot growth: a simple and operational decision-making tool for monitoring the water status of vines in the vineyard (2023) Léo Pichon, Cécile Laurent, Jean-Christophe Payan, Bruno Tisseyre (OenoOne 57)

Measuring leaf water potential

Measuring leaf water potential is a more accurate quantitative approach to assessing the water status of vines. By assessing the pressure required to extract water from the leaves, winegrowers can determine whether the vines are receiving adequate hydration or are under drought stress. This technique uses a pressure chamber that applies controlled pressure to a leaf or small shoot. As the pressure increases, water is expelled from the cut section of the leaf, and the pressure at which the water appears can be used to measure the hydric potential of the leaf.

Variability of water potential

Leaf water potential varies throughout the day key measurements corresponding to precise moments:

Ÿ Pre-dawn water potential (or base potential) : measured before sunrise, when when plant and soil water potential are in equilibrium , this parameter is a crucial reference for assessing water availability in the soil.

Ÿ Midday water potential: measured during the hottest part of the day, this reflects the plant’s response to atmospheric demands, enabling us to assess the way in which the vine manages water stress on a daily basis.

Ÿ Stem water potential: assessed by enclosing a shaded leaf in a bag to temporarily stop transpiration, this test indicates the vine’s internal water status, independently of external evaporative conditions.

Of these measurements, pre-dawn water potential is often considered the most reliable for monitoring the vine’s actual water status. It provides an assessment of the internal hydration of plants, independently of immediate atmospheric conditions, and is therefore widely used to guide irrigation management in vineyards.

Monitoring water stress, a key to sustainable, high-quality production

Monitoring water stress is essential for maintaining healthy vines and ensuring the production of quality grapes. By combining visual observation methods with precise measurements of leaf water potential, winegrowers can make informed decisions about irrigation, protecting their crops from the harmful effects of drought and optimising water use.

In addition to these observations and measurements, the Vintel® Decision Support Tool models soil water content and basic leaf potential throughout the wine-growing season, helping advisers and wine-growers to monitor the water content of their vineyards.

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Wine quality depends on the effective management of alcoholic fermentation, which is a key process carried out by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the musts. One of the key factors in successful fermentation is the availability of yeast-available nitrogen (YAN). If the musts lack sufficient YAN, fermentation can be delayed or stopped altogether, resulting in the formation of undesirable compounds that alter the wine’s aroma. To avoid these problems, an adequate level of YAN is crucial.

What is YAN ?

To convert grape sugars into alcohol efficiently, yeasts need sufficient quantities of assimilable nitrogen, mainly in the form of ammonium and amino acids… Among amino acids, some, such as proline, are not assimilable by yeast. This is because Saccharomyces cerevisiae, unlike other yeasts, lacks external proteases (enzymes that digest proteins) and therefore cannot hydrolyze peptides and proteins to extract amino acids. Therefore, YAN includes only ammonium ions (NH4+), free amino acids, and some peptides, which means that assimilable nitrogen can represent less than 50% of the total nitrogen.

Nitrogen requirements of yeast during fermentation

Scientific studies show that a YAN level above 180-200 mg/L is optimal for ensuring regular and complete fermentation. Lower levels can lead to incomplete fermentation, leaving residual sugars and producing wines of lower quality. According to the Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin (IFV), the minimum YAN level in a should be at least 140 mg/L, including 50 mg/L in the form of ammonia, toto prevent fermentation from stalling.

Furthermore, YAN also influences the aromatic profile of the wine. The production of aromatic compounds, particularly esters, largely depends on the amount of assimilable nitrogen available to the yeast. Generally, the initial concentration of assimilable nitrogen in the must is directly related to the quantity of aromatic compounds produced during alcoholic fermentation

Nitrogen fertilisation to improve must quality

YAN level is therefore a key indicator for winegrowers seeking to optimise the quality of their musts. Proper nitrogen fertilisation increases the nitrogen content of the berries. For example, trials carried out by the IFV between 2005 and 2009 showed that urea-based foliar fertilisation can boost the nitrogen content of berries by 50% to 100%, depending on the dose applied.

If musts are low in nitrogen, adding YAN as a nutrient during fermentation is an option. However, this method can result in different aromatic profiles compared to wines from vineyards with adequate nitrogen fertilization.

For example, a recent study on Chardonnay revealed that, while adding nitrogen in the form of diammonium phosphate or organic nitrogen during fermentation can achieve fermentation kinetics similar to those from vineyard fertilization, they produce wines with less pronounced tropical fruit aromas.

In summary, while cellar additions of nitrogen are effective for completing fermentation, conducting a balanced fertilization in the vineyard is preferred as it enhances the aromatic characteristics of the wine.

Using decision-support tools to control nitrogen nutrition

Decision-aid tools such as Vintel® are particularly useful for improving nitrogen nutrition in vineyards and, consequently, the fermentation process. These tools enable winegrowers to forecast the nitrogen requirements of their vines based on environmental conditions (soil, weather, cover crops) and the specific characteristics of plants (phenological stage, growth, target yield). Thanks to this data, winegrowers can fine-tune their fertilisation practices, optimising nitrogen uptake and, ultimately, the quality of their musts, ensuring that they ferment evenly to produce quality wines.

In short, precise fertilisation adapted to each vineyard is essential for producing high quality grapes and ensuring optimal fermentation. Effective management of assimilable nitrogen helps to prevent fermentation issues and produce top wines.

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Nitrogen as fertilizer in the vineyard

Nitrogen (N) plays a major role in all grapevine physiological processes. It is considered as a macronutrient, as it is required in larger amounts than the other mineral nutrients. It controls plant vigor and its absorption by the roots is dependent on the availability of water. A nitrogen deficient grapevine will not grow well, forming short inter-nodes, chlorotic (yellow) leaves and will produce less fruits with a reduced grape N content and possible delayed maturation.

Whereas nitrogen must be available to grant an adequate growth and photosynthesis, in viticulture too much nitrogen is also detrimental. Excess vigor leads to an extended vegetative growth period and competition with grape ripening. In addition, denser canopies and higher N content in leaves can increase vulnerability to fungal diseases.

In addition to controlling vegetative vigor, nitrogen affects the composition of grapes and the activity of yeast during winemaking. Indeed, nitrogen is a key yeast nutrient needed to carry out a successful fermentation and its presence as part of complex N-compounds in musts can affect the aromatic quality of wine.

All these functions make it difficult to control and to manage nitrogen fertilization in the best way. Since 2021, Vintel Nitrogen module by ITK provides a monitoring and forecasting service that can be used on a large scale to make the best decisions concerning N fertilization in a quick and cost-effective way to attain production goals.

How do you know how much nitrogen is needed by your vineyard ?

Fertilization is a regular practice for vinegrowers, and one which demands a particular expertise to attain the optimal balance between vigor and grape composition.

This expertise is even more relevant in a world that is more and more concerned with soil and environmental preservation. Indeed, wine growers are becoming increasingly aware of the detrimental effects of excess nitrogen leaking into the environment, causing water pollution and eutrophication. For this reason, over the past decades, the application of N in vineyards has been reduced with the aim of adjusting vigor and yield while preserving the environment.

In the last decades cover cropping has made its come-back in many vineyards, after a long period in which it was abandoned, as it was considered harmful for production. Indeed, whereas using cover crops have several benefits, ranging from soil protection to the control of  yield, in vineyards with low vigor, there is a concern of excessive competition for N resources with vines. In these cases, N-fertilizer application needs to be tailored to suit grapevines needs while considering the type of cover crop and its practices.

All these factors need to be considered when creating the nitrogen (N) management plan, to make the best use of N fertilizers. To conceive such plans it is very helpful to monitor vine N status and have a global vision of all the elements affecting its balance in the vineyard. A decision support tool  (DST) like Vintel Nitrogen module can provide these data in real time so that nitrogen management becomes easy and effective.

Vintel Nitrogen module predicts nitrogen availability

The new service within the Vintel DST, Nitrogen module boosts growers insight into the nitrogen status of their vineyard, informing decision-making.

This powerful solution makes it possible to visualize nitrogen stress and measure the impacts of nitrogen inputs on vine growth during the production season.  And off-season it helps adjust nitrogen application so that vines maximise their reserves and can re-start growth adequately. Because Vintel Nitrogen module considers the soil-plant water balance, it allows to apply fertilizer in the right amount to avoid leaking or wash out.  Moreover, the system provides a long-term weather forecast ranging several months in the future, that can help planning N purchase and application in the long term.

A nitrogen expert for winery management by the side of growers

Vintel Nitrogen module calculates daily nitrogen demands and consumption by plants, depending on nitrogen soil stocks, fertilizer application, cover cropping and other vineyard practices, and weather. This is possible because at the heart of Vintel Nitrogen module there are agronomic models of soil water balance, nitrogen mineralization and nitrogen allocation whose output provides an instant picture of your vineyard N status. Soil nitrogen dynamics over time are displayed through easy-to-interpret detailed graphs. Long-term weather forecasts allow to simulate the in season evolution of vineyard nitrogen, for a better planning of N-fertilizer applications.

Vintel Nitrogen module : for each plot, you can visualize detailed graphs showing nitrogen demands by the plant (top), nitrogen and water availability in soil (middle) and weather (bottom)

Vintel is a complete tool for the management of nitrogen allowing growers to :

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