GNF cooperation project organic viticulture on the Moselle, in Rhine Hesse and in the Kaiserstuhl

The practical experience of vintners and the expertise of nature conservationists complement each other well. Bio-checks put the wine to the organic test. From fertilisation, plant protection, use of machinery, wine pressing methods, energy and water consumption, waste water treatment and waste production, to the use of recycled materials, everything is taken into consideration. The comprehensive project will be implemented within the federal ESF programme "Social Responsibility in SMEs".

Vineyard friends wanted!

Wine growers feel unable to cope alone with the conservation tasks. They need support – technical and financial – in order to breathe new life into the vineyards. With additional 25,000 Euro, we can:

• develop action plans for more species conservation in vineyards

• secure important areas for nature conservation

• raise customers’ and public awareness

• prevent further destruction together with ECOVIN

• persuade more winegrowers of co-operation

Examples of how you can help

• For 20 Euro, we can put up a nesting box.

• For 50 Euro, we plant a new fruit tree.

• For 200 Euro, 10 m of drywall can be repaired.

Ortolan, Wall Lizard and Wild Tulip need our help

Vineyards were once among the most diverse habitats. Then dry stone walls, hedges and fallow land were removed, and with them the typical animal and plant species vanished from the vineyards. The ecological winegrowing sector can now help to resettle these endangered species.

Sad truth in wine

Who thinks enjoying wine at the fascinating species community living in the vineyard and protecting the vines? In many places, the land consolidation has destroyed the ecological balance of the vineyards. Intensive vine cultivation and the use of machinery, plant and fungal toxins followed.

Viticulture versus biodiversity?

Anyone driving through Germany''s largest wine-growing regions today, mostly sees no living vineyards, but barren fields of vine in a sad lifeless landscape. And still terraces are removed, rocks are blasted, hilltops and valleys are levelled for the use of machines, hedges and balks are eliminated.

ECOVIN for living vineyards

Vineyards as places of special biodiversity – that is still possible today. With a little good will, the wine growers can keep biodiversity in the vineyards alive. Then Wild Tulip or Star of Bethlehem, Red-backed Shrike and Ortolan, but also the harmless Smooth Snake and many beetle and grasshopper species would have a home again. The beneficial insects in the vineyards would prosper and pests decimated without poison.

The Federal Association of Organic Viticulture – ECOVIN – produces organic wine since 1985. Today, ECOVIN winemakers practise sustainable viticulture on 1,600 hectares. Now we want to improve and expand the measures together with the winemakers.

Collective species protection

The monotonous landscape of vineyards must be "furnished" with dry stone walls, stone bars, grass and herb strips and small trees. Areas of sparse vegetation between vineyards and adjacent areas are equally important. These are retreats for the Wall Lizard and other endangered species in vineyards.

Global Nature Fund (GNF)

Contact person: Manuela Uhde

Fritz-Reichle-Ring 4

78315 Radolfzell, Germany

Phone: +49 - (0) 77 32 - 99 95 - 85

Fax: +49 - (0) 77 32 - 99 95 - 88

E-mail: uhde@globalnature.org

Website: www.globalnature.org