VITIBOSC: first steps of vitiforestry in the Penedès

The agroecology research group at the IRBio- University of Barcelona have established a pilot agroforestry plot in a vineyard, in collaboration with Família Bodegues Torres, paving the way to evaluate the potential of these systems in the Catalan wine sector.

In April 2025, a pilot vitiforestry plot was installed in the Penedès region as part of the VITIBOSC project —an action under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, co-funded by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the European Union and the Generalitat de Catalunya—, led by researchers from the IRBio-University of Barcelona in collaboration with Família Bodegues Torres.

A highly diverse demonstration plot

The plot, covering approximately 0.8 ha of new planting, combines vines and agroforestry rows following a keyline design that takes advantage of the terrain's topography to optimise water use. The agroforestry rows, installed every six rows of vines, include 27 plant species distributed across three strata: emergent trees that will accompany the vines throughout the productive cycle (Celtis australis and Quercus faginea), trees and shrubs for biomass production (Fraxinus angustifolia, Morus alba, Laurus nobilis, among others), and legume and aromatic shrubs on the sides to support pollinators and beneficial fauna.

The main objective of the system is not to diversify production, but to improve microclimatic conditions, soil quality and biodiversity of the wine-growing system, contributing to the adaptation of the crop to increasingly frequent episodes of extreme heat and drought.

First results and sector interest

After the first year of monitoring, the establishment data are encouraging: tree survival has been very high, and data on vigour, management and working time are being collected to better assess, in the future, the suitability of the selected species and guide the design of similar systems. It is still early to draw conclusions about the long-term behaviour of the system, but the plot already serves as a reference and learning space.

The project has sparked considerable interest among producers and technicians in the wine sector. Preliminary results have been presented at various technical workshops and sector congresses, and will shortly be presented at the closing session of the LIFE AGROFORADAPT project. A dissemination article has also been published in the journal Agrocultura (no. 103, spring 2026) and the results have been accepted for presentation at the European Agroforestry Congress EURAF 2026.

Continuity through the European project AGROFORESTEAM

The closure of the VITIBOSC project does not mean the end of monitoring the plot. The initiative is integrated as a demonstration plot of the European project AGROFORESTEAM (www.agroforesteam.org), within the PRIMA programme and coordinated by the University of Barcelona, with the participation of universities and research centres from seven Mediterranean countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, France and Italy).

AGROFORESTEAM will ensure continuous long-term monitoring of the plot —including indicators of microclimate, soil carbon and biodiversity. In Catalonia, the project has already organised two meetings with viticulturists interested in agroforestry systems in vineyards, and is working to create collaborative spaces bringing together farmers, researchers, policy makers and other local sector stakeholders. The aim is to facilitate dialogue, identify barriers and opportunities, and co-design agroforestry solutions adapted to the local context.

The VITIBOSC project was an Action under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, co-funded by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), the European Union and the Generalitat de Catalunya (reference A1094/2023).

AGROFORESTEAM (PCI2025-163235) is part of the PRIMA programme, funded by MICIU/AEI (10.13039/501100011033) and co-funded by the European Union. The principal investigator, Laura Armengot, is supported by fellowship RYC2021-032601-I (MICIU/AEI/Next Generation EU/PRTR).

Contact: Agroecology Research Group · University of Barcelona / IRBio · Laura Armengot · larmengot@ub.edu