Sustainable and precision agriculture

The Sustainable Viticulture and Enology profile has been designed to address the current needs of the wine and viticulture sector, an area that is inherently international in scope. Italy, together with France, is a global leader in wine production and currently exports more than 50% of its national output, making continuous interaction with international markets and global stakeholders essential.

Within this context, the profile aims to train professionals capable of operating in international environments and throughout the entire Wine Value Chain, equipped with advanced competencies in sustainable viticulture and enology, technological innovation, and strategies for climate change adaptation.

In line with the global nature of the sector, the profile is entirely delivered in English, thereby fostering internationalisation, cultural exchange, and attractiveness for both students and academic staff from around the world.

Each academic year also features the contribution of an external international lecturer responsible for the course Topics in Enology, providing students with an up-to-date and practice-oriented perspective on the most recent developments in the wine sector.

A distinctive feature of the Sustainable Viticulture and Enology profile is the strong integration of theoretical instruction and practical activities, which is essential for truly professional and applied learning. Students benefit from advanced facilities, all conveniently accessible from the campus, including:

• a training experimental winery, where students have the opportunity to produce their own wine;
• a newly established sensory analysis laboratory;
• a small experimental vineyard, limited in size but of high scientific and educational value.

The profile is designed to further develop the knowledge of students with a background in viticulture and enology, with a focus on emerging technologies and practices that are reshaping the wine sector towards greater sustainability. Key thematic areas include:

• wine-related biotechnologies;
• precision viticulture;
• biodiversity conservation;
• vineyard soil health and conservation;
• adaptation to climate change.

The final thesis is compulsorily experimental: each student participates in an active research project at the Faculty, joining one of the established research groups. Extensive collaborations with wineries, cooperatives, wine estates and wine companies further support extracurricular internships and provide tangible opportunities for professional placement.

The Sustainable Viticulture and Enology profile therefore represents a high-quality educational pathway for those wishing to pursue a career in sustainable wine production, combining solid scientific training with a fully international perspective.

Below is a selection of prestigious wine estates that have formally expressed their willingness to host students for internship activities.