The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF) has introduced an online tool designed to support winemakers in their sustainability efforts and to facilitate networking among them. The RV Guide is intended for self-assessment, helping winemakers identify good practices they already use in their vineyards and discover new ones, according to the RVF.
The guide provides information and resources on 16 practices that the RVF considers beneficial for regenerative viticulture. These practices include soil health monitoring, animal integration, sustainable pest management, and agroforestry.
The core of the guide is a questionnaire where winemakers indicate their confidence in implementing the various practices surveyed. This allows the RVF to provide targeted information and resources where winemakers need them most. Additionally, winemakers can register on a map of producers interested in regenerative practices. This map can be filtered by practices used and region, enabling winemakers to find and connect with like-minded peers nearby.
"The interest in regenerative viticulture has skyrocketed in recent years, as more retailers have come on board and boosted demand. However, winemakers often find it challenging to get the necessary support for transitioning to regenerative practices or to find a trustworthy agronomist or consultant with the required expertise. We've found that the best way to learn about implementing a practice is by building local support networks or communities. With the RV Guide, we aim to connect farmers at various stages of their regenerative journey and provide them with opportunities to share their knowledge," says Stephen Cronk, chairman of the RVF.
The RVF is a charity organization based in Maidenhead, England. Its board includes representatives from the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, and the USA. The organization collaborates with nonprofit organizations such as Porto Protocol, International Wineries for Climate Action, Sustainable Wine Roundtable, and Associación Viticultura Regenerativa.
