Small wine production valorisation and heroic viticulture: the case of Lunigiana (Northern Tuscany, Italy)

Heroic viticulture generally experiments difficulties mainly linked to location. Nevertheless the uniqueness of productive features as well as climatic conditions and grape quality can become sources of product differentiation. This work shows the results of a two years project funded by the Tuscan Regional Government; the research project aimed to evaluate the potentialities of small local wine production in Lunigiana, a narrow area in Northern Tuscany (province of Massa-Carrara), that hosts a population of approximately 1200 between grape growers and winemakers. Most of the population considered is not 100% professionally involved in the business; many of them lack in quality wine production and some have ceased their activity or plan to do due to general economic conditions. The work wants to answer to the following research questions: how microwineries can be helped in achieving higher standards in wine production? What are the needs perceived by wineries? What are the specific features of grapes in Lunigiana? What are the main varieties cultivated in Lunigiana? In order to answer to the above listed research questions, the project has been structured into two parts. A first part focuses on the characteristics of Lunigiana: 6 vineyards have been selected for monitoring the main local varieties (Vermentino bianco, Merlot and Pollera) and for highlighting differences between areas. A second part of the research investigates under what conditions cooperativism might be considered as a solution for the problems that microwineries are currently facing. A survey, previously tested, has been submitted to a sample of 76 wineries. Data have been statistically processed, in order to find any significant relationship between selected variables. Results show that need perception varies in relation to winery characteristics, as well as a willingness to cooperate. From the analysis it emerges that higher quality can be achieved through an effective grape differentiation within the considered area according to the inner features of grapes.