The focus will be on understanding and optimizing the relationships between grapevines and various biotic agents, such as pests, diseases, and beneficial organisms, to enhance vineyard ecosystem health and stability. This research aims to delve into disease and pest management through ecological dynamics and genomic insights while also investigating the role of beneficial organisms in supporting vine health and productivity. Strategies will be developed to reduce reliance on chemical inputs by enhancing natural ecosystem services, precision agriculture, and integrated pest management techniques. Additionally, efforts will be made to increase biodiversity within vineyards through practices like polyculture systems or intercropping to create more resilient ecosystems. This comprehensive approach combines field studies, data integration, and ecological modeling to create sustainable, economically viable strategies for managing biotic interactions in viticulture.

This research aims to enhance water use efficiency and adapt vineyard practices to climate variability by leveraging advanced biometeorological techniques to forecast weather impacts on vine growth and water needs. This initiative aims to quantify water availability and identify water sources in major viticultural valleys, integrating these forecasts with sustainable water management systems to minimize waste and significantly enhance vineyard resilience to climatic changes. Additionally, the research will characterize soil composition, monitor seasonal mineral variations in irrigation water, track the accumulation of contaminants, and investigate the geo-viticultural classification of soils to determine their suitability for producing premium wine. The ultimate goal is to develop and implement innovative, data-driven strategies that ensure effective utilization of water resources while maintaining high productivity and environmental sustainability in vineyard operations.

Improve post-harvest technologies and practices that maintain grape quality with minimal resource use. Emphasis will be placed on developing sustainable methods for extending grape shelf life and enhancing quality attributes critical for premium wine production.

Innovate in winemaking processes to improve quality and sustainability. The research will explore new fermentation, aging, and stabilization techniques that reduce energy use and incorporate bioproducts from other industries, promoting a zero-waste approach in the winery.

To advance the discovery and application of bioactive compounds through innovative research and technologies, contributing to health, agriculture, and sustainability solutions.

Develop and deploy digital tools to optimize vineyard and winery operations. This line focuses on creating and integrating precision agriculture technologies such as IoT, sensors, drones, big data, and AI-driven decision support systems. These tools will enable real-time monitoring, high throughput phenotyping, and management of resources, improve yield predictions, and enhance the quality of grapes and wine. The aim is to reduce inputs (such as water, fertilizers, and pesticides), minimize waste, and support a more sustainable and circular production process.

This research line focuses on integrating traditional viticultural practices with modern scientific techniques to enhance the quality and sustainability of grape and wine production. This line involves understanding and preserving the unique characteristics of different viticultural regions, using scientific methods to improve grape and wine quality while maintaining traditional practices, and promoting sustainable practices that respect the historical and cultural significance of the vineyards.