Grape vines operate against the greenhouse effect

"The research in the quality wine production makes it possible for us to evaluate the real impact of the vineyards on our environment", explains Giovanni Mattii, the leader of this project and professor of the special field of fruit-, plant- and vegetable farming at the University of Florence. "The result that we came up with in the vineyards of the Tenuta dell´Ornellaia, is projected to the total area of Bolgheri, thus we come up with 20.000 tons of carbon dioxide that are stored by the grapes", says Mattii. "This number is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 6.000 vehicles, with each of them driving 20.000 kilometers a year", emphasizes the researcher.

The positive impact that the plants have on the environment is caused by the so-called photosynthesis, which turns carbon dioxide, water and sunlight into carbohydrates and thus makes carbon dioxide innoxious. The plants limit the rise of the carbon dioxide into the air and thus improve the microclimate. Exactly how high the amount of carbon dioxide is that is stored in the grapes during the photosynthesis is evaluated by the researchers with the help of a infrared-meter, which is equipped with a special balloon. This balloon covers the whole crown of the plant, resulting in very exact findings concerning the volume of the gas exchange.

"The responsible dealing with energy resources and the improvement of energy efficiency have been important goals of our winery for many years", says Leonardo Raspini, general director and agronomist with the Tenuta dell´Ornellaia. "The commitment of the Tenuta in terms of research and energy is a must, which we have been involved in together with experts from the University of Florence and Piacenza", says Raspini.

Besides energy research, the Tenuta dell?Ornellaia has been working in the field of eco-compatibility within the scope of its products and their production. For instance, there is an in-house purification plant, which environmental-friendly reconditions the necessary water amounts for the work in the wine cellar and vineyard. In addition, a solar power system was installed, which provides the energy for the electric machines within the vineyard. Those machines can adapt their expenditure to the respective work process (600 hours per year per worker and hectare). Since those machines do not emit carbon dioxide, their use is very environmentally friendly and they also minimize physical work so that the health of the workers is also protected. (aw.yoopress / translator c.siegel)