The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry stated that the applications for restructuring and conversion of vineyards under the new VITIS programme comprise 160 hectares, surpassing initial expectations.
 
Speaking during a visit to vineyards on Pico Island, João Ponte pointed out that this situation demonstrates that producers regard "wine production as an activity with future and guaranteed success."
 
The Regional Secretary stressed that this sector has registered an "extraordinary growth" and will have a "considerable" weight in the economic activity of Pico Island
 
"In the Azores, there are almost 1,000 hectares of area suited to the production of wine certified with Geographical Indication (GI) and Denomination of Origin (DO), distributed over the islands of Pico, Terceira and Graciosa," said João Ponte, who was accompanied by the President of the Regional Wine Commission, Vasco Paulos.
 
The government official expressed his satisfaction with the work carried out in the development of a sector with "great economic and tourist potential." He added that, through this Community programme, it was possible to recover 560 hectares of vineyards in the last 560 years, representing an overall investment of 15 million Euros that covers more than 300 win producers.
 
The applications to the new VITIS programme, submitted during the month of April, will now be analysed by the Regional Directorate for Rural Development.
 
Last year, the applications submitted covered an area of about 400 hectares, spread over several islands, with clear emphasis on the island of Pico.
 
This support scheme aims to boost the competitiveness of wine producers through the restructuring of vineyards and improvement of the wine quality, which has been highlighted by the awards won by Azorean wines.
 
"Azorean wine has become widely known and improved in terms of quality due to the work and the capacity of innovation demonstrated by the wine producers and the Regional Wine Commission," João Ponte stressed, adding that this sector is increasingly attracting young people.