VinGO Operational Group: Project for the identification, enhancement, and international marketing of minority grape varieties

A project that seeks innovative solutions to develop viticultural management models aimed at promoting and highlighting minority grape varieties. It does so based on three pillars: the identification and classification of raw materials through the creation of a digital catalogue; the enhancement of these varieties as a solution to mitigate the effects of climate change on viticulture; and, finally, the promotion of the marketing of wines made with these varieties by creating quality labels that reflect their uniqueness and origin.

The globalization of the wine sector has led to a homogenization of grape varieties worldwide, limiting their cultivation to a small number of varieties (Vitis vinifera L.). The loss of plant material is a major problem in most wine-growing regions, jeopardizing the conservation of the rich wine-growing genetic heritage.
Wine consumption trends have been changing recently. The consumption of moderate-quality wines continues to decline, accompanied by an increase in the production of unique wines, perceived by consumers as higher-quality wines. One way to achieve this differentiation is related to the plant material chosen. The vine variety used gives the wine a distinct personality and its own characteristics. Due to the significant limitation on the use of native varieties in the various Designations of Origin and consumer demand for wines with greater personality and quality, it is necessary to conduct specific studies aimed at characterizing the oenological potential and quality of newly identified vine genotypes or minority varieties that, although still present among crops, are threatened or in danger of extinction.

El Hato y el Garabato is an iconic winery for its minority varieties. Located in an area with great potential for these varieties, it has managed not only to find its place in the production of these wines, but also to innovate in the most traditional tasks of vineyard management, applied traditional viticulture, and unique creations. Its experience stems from the personal background of its founders: two entrepreneurs who have participated in the development and execution of numerous regional, national, and international projects and maintain an active exchange program for young winemakers, inviting someone each year to participate in the grape harvest. Their personal history of travel and experiences allows them to launch pioneering initiatives in the Arribes winemaking process, experimenting and seeking innovation in the products they offer. They have extensive experience developing wine tourism programs and feel a deep connection that, combined with their global experience, makes the winery the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.

Bodega 202 is a modern winery with a vision for the future. Innovation and sustainability are part of its DNA. It has a team with excellent project management skills. The following team members will actively participate in the VinGO project:
Luis Güemes is the Technical Director, Head of Viticulture, and Winemaker. He holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering (UPM) and a Master's degree in Enology and Viticulture (UPM). He also holds a Sommelier degree from the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and a Master's degree in Foreign Trade (Madrid Chamber of Commerce - Juan Carlos I University).
Marta Ortiz-Arce Vizcarro is the Head of Sustainability and Marketing. She holds a degree in Forestry Engineering (UPM), a Master's degree in Organic Agriculture (Wageningen University, the Netherlands), and an expert in Wine Marketing, Wine Tourism, and Gastronomy (Basque Culinary Center - Mondragón University), as well as a WSET3 (Wine & Spirit Education Trust).

The winemaker at Bodega 3 Ases worked for over 10 years at ITACYL identifying and cataloging rare varieties in Castile and León. He has a strong connection with these grape varieties and is deeply interested in making wines with them. Limited by the Denomination of Origin where it is located, the winery participates in several projects to produce some of its wines with rare varieties, although in practice they do not bear the Ribera del Duero DO identification.
Given its innovative nature and its participation in numerous vineyard and soil research and improvement projects, its role in the project is determined by its ability to develop training activities in the field of vines, which improve the training of people living in rural areas. The winery's role in the project is determined by its ability to develop training activities in the field of vines.

The Liébana Local Action Group has been supporting the creation, development, and improvement of sustainable entrepreneurship projects located in this area of Cantabria for several years. Liébana is a traditional olive-oil region, and therefore, a region of pomace production. However, in recent years, new business projects related to wine production, or as a complement to pomace production, have been established. Or, they have revived existing native vineyards that had previously been neglected. The Local Action Group has supported and promoted the creation of a quality brand, Vinos de Liébana, a protected geographical indication (PGI), which designates the local wines of the wine-growing region that encompasses the municipalities of Potes, Pesagüero, Cabezón de Liébana, Camaleño, Cillorigo de Liébana, and Vega de Liébana, located in the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain. In it we find minority varieties that are being used in the production of low-production wines in this area.
The Liébana Local Action Group is a regional ally thanks to its participation in the development and implementation of a quality brand such as Vino de Liébana, which recognizes and supports the native varieties of the Liébana region.

The Provincial Council of Ávila has been committed to viticulture, its development, and promotion for years, and this commitment is reflected in its General Budget. It has participated in numerous European projects related to job creation in the province of Ávila, improving employability, and developing rural production centers equipped with the most innovative materials. Ávila is a province with a long winemaking tradition, which may not have enjoyed as much market demand as other existing Denominations, but it does have extensive vineyards of identified minority varieties that are of great interest to the wine market.

The Arribes Wine Route actively participates in the tourism committees of the Provincial Council of Zamora and the Provincial Council of Salamanca, collaborating on studies characterizing minority varieties conducted in the area by ITACYL. Together with Iberdrola, it is designing a study for the implementation of innovative and sustainable mobility systems in rural areas. As a collaborating entity, it participates in various studies on wine tourism in Spain and, in 2021, participated in a tourism promotion program run by the Chamber of Commerce of Zamora to open business markets in Ukraine and Belgium.
It has extensive experience developing training programs for the ongoing development of its members in fields as diverse as new technologies and their application to rural services, product positioning in a digital market, the creation of sustainable business models linked to the territory, and the marketing of services in general.