IURC Strengthens EU–Australia Collaboration on Climate-Resilient Viticulture – International Urban and Regional Cooperation

The International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) continues to advance international cooperation through its Agrifood and Forestry Community of Practice, with a dedicated focus on strengthening collaboration in climate-resilient viticulture. On 31 March 2026, experts from Europe and Australia convened for a specialised viticulture subgroup meeting, bringing together researchers and regional representatives to explore shared challenges and opportunities in wine production under changing climate conditions.

Addressing Climate Change in Wine Production

The meeting brought together Central Macedonia (Greece), South West Western Australia, and Gippsland (Australia), supported by the IURC coordination team. It focused on the growing impact of climate change on viticulture, with participants highlighting challenges such as:

Increasing frequency of heat waves and drought conditions
Risks of frost events and extreme weather variability
Shifts in grape maturity and wine composition
Rising alcohol levels linked to warmer growing seasons

Experts from regions including Central Macedonia (Greece), South West Western Australia, and Gippsland (Australia) shared insights into how these challenges are affecting vineyards across both hemispheres.

Building a Shared Research Agenda

A key outcome of the discussion was the identification of common research priorities to guide future cooperation. These include:

Enhancing vineyard resilience to climate stress
Exploring climate-adapted grape varieties and genetic resources
Advancing rootstock and clonal research
Improving precision viticulture techniques and soil monitoring
Developing strategies for alcohol level management in wines

Participants emphasized that addressing climate change in viticulture requires systemic approaches, combining agronomic practices, innovation, and policy support.

Knowledge Exchange Across Regions

The meeting showcased strong complementarities between regions:

Greece contributes expertise in grapevine genetic resources and traditional varieties such as Xinomavro and Assyrtiko
Western Australia offers advanced research on heat stress, canopy management, and drought adaptation
Gippsland provides experience in premium wine production and regional collaboration models

This exchange of knowledge highlights the value of cross-hemisphere collaboration, enabling faster learning cycles and shared innovation.

Towards Concrete Cooperation Actions

Participants identified several areas for future joint activities, including:

Collaborative research on resilient grape varieties
Exchange of technologies for monitoring soil moisture and vineyard conditions
Development of joint pilot initiatives in viticulture innovation
Potential involvement of additional experts, including research institutes from other IURC regions

The group also discussed opportunities for study visits and technical exchanges, potentially aligned with key moments in the wine production cycle, such as the European harvest season.

Next Steps

To build on this momentum, partners agreed on a series of follow-up actions:

Preparation of regional presentations outlining challenges, strengths, and opportunities
Further refinement of shared research priorities
Organisation of targeted technical discussions involving additional experts
Engagement of regional stakeholders and industry actors

These steps will support the transition from initial dialogue to structured cooperation and pilot action development.

Strengthening Global Viticulture Resilience

The meeting demonstrated the strong potential of the IURC platform to connect regions facing similar challenges and to foster innovative, science-based solutions.

By bringing together expertise from Europe and Australia, the IURC Agrifood and Forestry Community of Practice is contributing to the development of more resilient, sustainable, and competitive viticulture systems worldwide.

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