“In some vineyards, downy mildew is really prevalent, and in certain years, it can lead to a 100% loss of harvest,” explains Patrick Delmarre. Thus, the solution Viti-Tunnel protects against damage from frost, hail, and heatwaves. It also prevents the development of all the diseases that thrive in rainy conditions, which are predominant in viticulture. Consequently, there is no longer a need to treat the vines against these diseases. “Viti-Tunnel allows for a reduction of over 90% in the use of pesticides,” emphasizes Patrick Delmarre.
When the vines are under the deployed covers, they are like in a greenhouse, but this only happens an average of 5 days per year, notes Patrick Delmarre. Thus, the qualities attributed to the year's grapes are in no way altered, which is an essential factor for the acceptability of the system by INAO, the National Institute of Origin and Quality.
“For 5 years, micro-vinifications of grapes produced under the Viti-Tunnel have been conducted and compared to those of grapes produced outside the Viti-Tunnel, and no differences were found,” specifies Patrick Delmarre. “So no, it does not affect the characteristics or qualitative components of the productions at all.”
The current goal for Patrick Delmarre is to democratize this Viti-Tunnel, which is still quite inaccessible to winemakers who are already struggling financially. The challenge would be to obtain state subsidies for professionals to acquire the solution, thus enabling larger-scale production to reduce costs.
This technology could also interest agriculture. Contacts have already been established with producers of table grapes, figs, raspberries, cherries, and in the horticulture sector for lily of the valley, which is highly dependent on the flowering period.
"The challenge for winemakers is primarily to continue producing, which is not guaranteed with the current regulatory changes. Then, they need to be able to keep producing despite climate-related risks. Finally, they must reduce the use of pesticides. So, the Viti-Tunnel is truly a solution that addresses all the major current challenges in viticulture,” concludes Patrick Delmarre.
