Tangible results prove “profound structural change” occurring in the wine production sector, highlights Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government highlighted today the “profound structural change” that has been occurring in the regional wine production sector over the last years, as evidenced by the tangible results in the growing number of producers as well as in the increase of production areas and regional certified wines.
“In recent years, the number of producers has increased, the production area of certified wines has increased, productivity has been boosted and viticulture has gained momentum; all this growth has been accompanied by a vigorous entrepreneurial spirit," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at the launch of the "Pedras Brancas 2018" wine by the Graciosa Winery and Agricultural Cooperative.
According to him, the structural change occurring in this sector is evidenced by the number of producers, which has more than doubled since 2012, from 246 to 517.
“Also, in terms of production area, the growth was very significant, with the Region going from 197 hectares in 2012 to more than 1,000 hectares of certified vineyard production. About 800 were recovered through the VITIS programme, mostly between 2014 and 2018,” stressed Vasco Cordeiro on the first day of the Government's three-day visit to Graciosa Island.
According to the President of the Government, the wine production sector has managed to keep up with the preferences of consumers, who are increasingly demanding in terms of quality and more knowledgeable about what they consume. Currently, there are more than four dozen certified Azorean wines under the responsibility of more than 20 economic operators. Last year alone, about a dozen certified wines were launched in the market.
"This considerable growth is largely due to the vision and entrepreneurial skills of our wine producers who have managed to make the most of the aid granted under VITIS programme, a measure that has already supported investments amounting to 21 million Euros," praised Vasco Cordeiro. Accordingly, the Government intends to further harness the potential of this sector to generate wealth and create employment, and to support regional farms.
In late 2019, a new opening notice with an overall allocation of four million euros was launched to support vineyard reconversion projects on the islands of Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Faial, São Miguel and Santa Maria, all of them with great wine production potential.
In his speech, the President of the Government also considered that the making these efforts widely known at international level is one of the challenges of the present. In this regard, he announced the 1st Vine and Wine Forum to be held on Pico Island on April 18-19, an event that will bring together production, processing, experts and specialised media.
After recalling that he attended the opening of the refurbishment works of Graciosa Winery and Agricultural Cooperative in July 2018, a project supported by the Regional Government, Vasco Cordeiro expressed his "great satisfaction" to see that local farmers "have seized this opportunity and transformed the potential of these new facilities at the beginning of a journey that proves the success of the investments made."
With a global production of nearly five thousand bottles in 2018, the "Pedras Brancas" wine, certified as Designation of Origin (DO), is being marketed on the islands of Graciosa, São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Pico, and also in Mainland Portugal.