The Vineyard Forest: The Agroforestry Evolution of the Vineyard
Our open-air laboratory: where vines and woodland come together in harmony to regenerate the land, expressing beauty, biodiversity and productivity as one.
The Vineyard Forest, located in Arcugnano in the Berici Hills, is not simply a vineyard, nor is it just a forest. It is an integrated agroecological system in which rows of vines, olive trees, fruit trees and native woodland species coexist in perfect balance.
A living, constantly evolving laboratory where we demonstrate how farming, guided by an informed and conscious vision, can restore the soil, promote biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Genesis: The Reconciliation in three acts
The landscape you see today is the result of a progressive journey of ecological regeneration, born from our agronomic vision and developed through successive stages thanks to the scientific partnership with the University of Padua, represented by Dr Simone Piotto, and the technical support of WOWnature.
Through three coordinated interventions, we transformed the original vineyard into a living and resilient agricultural ecosystem:
- The Bosco delle Vigne: The founding step of the agroforestry project, focused on the design and planting of new vineyard systems cultivated in close association with fruit trees and forest species.
- The Biodiversity Crescent: The creation of a wooded strip and targeted ecological corridor designed to protect the estate, increase soil fertility, and encourage the establishment of pollinating insects and natural predators of grapevine pests.
- The Maple Vineyard: The completion of the overall design, with an important intervention to convert the existing vineyard through the targeted introduction of integrated tree rows.
Discover more about our network of partners on the Network and Collaborations page
How Our Ecosystem Works
If you would like to explore the agronomic architecture behind our project in greater depth, here is how we designed the complexity of the Bosco delle Vigne.
The Fully Certified Organic Vineyard
Our entire open-air laboratory is based on organic certification in accordance with EU Regulation 2018/848. For us, the complete exclusion of synthetic chemicals is not merely a label, but the essential technical prerequisite for the agricultural ecosystem to function. Only in biologically active soil can vines and trees develop their root-level synergies, while beneficial insects can establish themselves and naturally help control pests.
The Return of the Vite Maritata
In the Bosco delle Vigne, we have revived and reinterpreted the ecological principles of the Vite Maritata, the ancient traditional Veneto practice of training the vine on a living tree rather than on an artificial post.
As the vineyard develops, the vine climbs and rests on the branches of native tree species such as the field maple and the wild cherry. This “plant marriage” reduces the visual impact of artificial structures and creates unique vertical microhabitats for microfauna and for the microorganisms living in the soil and canopy.
The Architecture of Species (Policulture)
In the experimental agroforestry vineyard, the botanical selection was designed to maximize biological synergies and tolerance to fungal diseases. Alongside traditional and resistant grape varieties (PIWI), fruit trees and native forest species grow together:
- Support and structural species: including field maple and manna ash.
- Fruit trees and valuable species: including rowan, apple, pear, and wild cherry.
The Measurable Benefits of Intercropping
- Water Resource Management: The deep root systems of the trees act like a natural sponge, retaining moisture in the soil and reducing water stress on the vines during the summer months.
- Regenerative Fertility: The seasonal fall of tree leaves and the maintenance of spontaneous ground cover continuously enrich the soil with organic matter, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers.
- Microclimate and Protection: Trees help moderate extreme temperatures, reduce wind pressure on the vineyard, provide shelter for beneficial insects, and help combat soil erosion.
- Continuous Monitoring: We carry out regular surveys to study plant adaptation and the evolution of biodiversity, turning field data into precise cultivation decisions.
Experience the Bosco delle Vigne
The Bosco delle Vigne is a space open to sharing. We believe that the value of such an advanced approach to agriculture is best expressed when it is told, experienced, and understood firsthand.
We organize educational and training activities for schools and universities, guided field visits for wine lovers, and slow walks for anyone wishing to reconnect with the rhythm of nature. Every visit ends with a tasting of our wines.