Reinforcing its commitment to promoting applied research, technology transfer and innovation in Chile’s wine industry, Viña Concha y Toro’s Center for Research and Innovation (CRI) and Chile’s Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) signed an agreement to generate new instances for technical cooperation and information exchange.

The Center for Research and Innovation is developing various lines of action with a focus on designing the vineyard of the future.  Among other initiatives, the CRI has developed molecular biology platforms focused on improving vineyard health and longevity, mitigating the effects of climate change and water scarcity, and introducing new technologies in the winemaking process. Additionally, one of the CRI’s main objectives is to promote industry development through dissemination and technology transfer of R&D&I results.

After five years in operation, Viña Concha y Toro’s CRI has achieved major advances in applied research which aim to address the quality, adaptability and productivity challenges facing the wine industry.

CRI director Gerard Casaubon highlighted the importance of the collaboration agreement and cooperation in the Center’s strategic lines. “After five years of research and advances in our strategic programs, we are highly satisfied with the signing of this agreement, which will enable us to carry out significant transfer of information and methodologies that will contribute to the industry as a whole in areas such as plant health and ecosystem protection”, he said.

“At the Center for Research and Innovation, we are convinced that the transfer of our scientific knowledge and applied research is essential to contribute to the development of a modern agricultural and winemaking industry, with sustainable production and high-quality products”, said Rafael Guilisasti, Vice Chairman of Viña Concha y Toro and Chairman of the CRI.

“Having the opportunity to form this partnership to generate a system to ensure healthier plants with greater longevity in production and the search for high-quality alternatives—through a fruit plant certification program led by the Seed Division—is the route that Chile must follow”, said the SAG’s National Director Horacio Bórquez. “Innovation is the key solution to productivity and cost issues. Therefore, I think that for both us and Viña Concha y Toro, this agreement marks tremendous progress under the basic premise that the public and private sectors should act together as partners in production systems”, he added.