Chair in Vineyard and Climate Change

The first Chair in Catalonia on vineyards and climate change, created to tackle an unprecedented challenge in the wine sector and approved by the URV Governing Council on 19 June 2025. Promoted by Vilafranca Town Council, the Pro-Penedès Foundation and the URV, the new Chair will investigate how the climate emergency affects the wine sector and will propose response strategies adapted to the Catalan territory.

This is a pioneering initiative in Catalonia aimed at fostering innovation and knowledge transfer in an area particularly exposed to the effects of climate change: viticulture. The new Chair is promoted by Vilafranca del Penedès Town Council through the Pro-Penedès Foundation and will be led by the Dean of the Faculty of Oenology, Dr Manuel Suárez, and the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Geography, Dr Òscar Saladié. The collaboration between institutions represents a strategic alliance that links the academic world with the economic, social, and institutional fabric of the territory, supporting applied innovation that places knowledge at the service of the common good and the future of the wine sector.

Applied research will be one of the cornerstones of this new Chair, which will focus on analysing the impacts of climate change and identifying mitigation and adaptation strategies applicable throughout Catalonia. At the same time, training activities will be developed, such as seminars, workshops, and specialised courses aimed at both professional and academic audiences, including undergraduate and master's degrees as well as continuing education.

Another key area will be knowledge transfer. In this respect, the Chair will promote the publication of practical guides and technical reports, participate in conferences and outreach activities, and encourage collaboration between public and private institutions. Awards are also planned for the best student projects on viticulture and climate change, together with the organisation of an annual awareness day. Institutional collaboration will also be fostered, generating synergies between academia, the private sector, and public administration, as well as active participation in national and European research networks.

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