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In a study published by the University of Haifa’s School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures, researchers have uncovered the potential of ancient grape cultivars and traditional farming methods to help modern winemakers adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
The research, titled Propagating Terroir Revival in the Negev: How the Wine Industry Can Amplify Its Resilience to Climate Adversity through a Deeper Understanding of Historic Dryland Viticulture, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Horticulturae in August.
The decade-long study, led by Dr. Joshua Schmidt and Prof. Guy Bar-Oz, brought together a team of bioarchaeologists, cultural historians, paleogeneticists, ethnographers, and wine experts.
Together, they revived and restored grapevine cultivars once believed to be the pride of the ancient Negev viticulture industry.
The research also included interviews with local farmers and an analysis of ancient DNA from grape remnants, offering valuable insights into historical farming practices.
Schmidt explained that vineyards are long-term investments, and understanding the historical context of viticulture in arid regions like the Negev could provide modern winemakers with essential insights.
“Our findings suggest that reviving and incorporating historical cultivars, along with the agronomic practices that supported their growth, can significantly enhance the resilience of vineyards in the face of climate change,” Schmidt said.
The Negev, with its relatively stable climate over thousands of years, provided an ideal backdrop for the study, allowing researchers to compare ancient and modern viticulture practices.
The researchers believe that these findings could provide a foundation for developing adaptation strategies in an era where climate change is impacting agricultural industries worldwide.
Key recommendations from the study include the revival of endemic grape cultivars and the application of proven traditional agronomic techniques to improve grape quality and yield.
This approach, according to the researchers, could foster a deeper connection between winemakers and their local terroir, enhancing both sustainability and resilience.
“This research underscores the significance of historical knowledge in contemporary agriculture,” Bar-Oz noted.
“By understanding how past farmers successfully navigated the challenges of their environment, we can inform current practices, enhance the sustainability of the wine industry at a time when it is under significant threat, and preserve the rich viticultural histories and lineages in wine-growing regions.”
The research also highlights that the findings are not limited to the Negev but can be applied to other regions facing similar environmental challenges.
The strategies can be implemented in increasingly warming viticulture landscapes across Europe, where climate change is expected to have a severe impact on traditional wine-producing regions.
A projected 2 °C increase in average temperatures could harm grapevines in over half of Europe’s wine-growing areas, the study found.
Grapes, which rely on consistent sunlight for sugar maturation, sufficient water for acidity development, and extended sun exposure for tannin enhancement, are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation.
These factors, crucial for the wine-making process, are increasingly threatened by climate change, leaving winemakers with fewer options for maintaining production quality and sustainability.
The research conducted in the Negev offers a glimmer of hope for the future of wine production, demonstrating how lessons from the past could help guide the wine industry through the climate challenges of tomorrow.