The terms ‘organic’, ‘ecological’ or ‘organic-ecological’ viticulture refer to production methods – some of which differ considerably – for the cultivation of grapes and the production of wine, based on practices that are as environmentally friendly as possible and take into account the latest findings in ecology and environmental protection.
Organic viticulture has evolved from a niche activity into a dynamically growing segment of the global wine industry. According to reports by the OIV, the transition to organic farming increased by around 13% annually between 2005 and 2019. In 2024, the area under organic cultivation worldwide stood at around 562,000 hectares, corresponding to 8.3% of the total area. Europe is the global centre of this sector. Spain (leading the way with 160,000 hectares), France and Italy together account for around 75% of these organic vineyards and dominate the global rankings. With around 10,500 hectares, or 25% of the total area, Austria leads the way in terms of proportion globally.
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Prof. Dr. Walter Kutscher
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