CREA (Italy)

History and Development

The Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of the Agricultural Economy (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria, CREA) is Italy's largest state-run research institution in the agro-industrial sector. The organization operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests of Italy (Masaf). In its current form, the CREA center was established in 2015 as part of a national administrative reform through the merger of two major bodies: the Council for Agricultural Research (CRA) and the National Institute of Agricultural Economics (INEA).

The specialized viticulture and oenology wing of the Council is built upon deep historical traditions formed by the country's oldest scientific institutions. The key foundation was the Royal Enological Research Station in Asti (Regia Stazione Enologica Sperimentale di Asti), established by a decree of King Victor Emmanuel II on January 18, 1872, to study the biochemistry of fermentation and wine diseases. The second crucial component was the Royal School and Experimental Viticulture Station in Conegliano, founded in 1876 (as a school that evolved into a full-fledged station by the early 20th century). The consolidation of these historical bodies into a single state system allowed for the integration of Italy's classical ampelographic schools with advanced molecular genetics capabilities.

Main Scientific Activities

The Council's scientific research is of a complex, interdisciplinary nature. The main activities of the research center are focused on the following key sectoral areas:

• Vine Genetics and Variety Study: Center scientists systematically test new hybrid forms and rootstock varieties. Particular attention is paid to evaluating new-generation complex-resistant grape varieties (PIWI), which possess enhanced genetic resistance to downy and powdery mildew.
• Adaptation to Climate Challenges: Research programs are aimed at overcoming the limitations of traditional viticulture. The center evaluates and tests vine genotypes resistant to abiotic stresses — prolonged droughts, soil salinization, high chloride content, and the risk of iron chlorosis.
• Preservation and Digitization of the National Gene Pool: The organization manages Italy's largest national ampelographic collections. Specialists conduct large-scale codification of variety samples using DNA profiling technologies, which allows for the precise identification of ancient autochthonous forms and the elimination of synonymy issues.
• Phytosanitary Control and Clone Selection: In the Council's laboratories, continuous monitoring is carried out, along with the isolation and purification (using thermotherapy and microcloning methods) of the most valuable clones of traditional Italian varieties from dangerous viral pathogens and phytoplasma infections.
• Oenological Research: Experimental units engage in micro-winemaking, study the biochemical profiles of must, test new yeast strains, and model new winemaking technological schemes adapted to changing berry conditions in the context of global warming.

Structure and Distinguished Scientists

To conduct effective trials considering the specifics of particular terroirs, the organization maintains an extensive network of branches. The key division is the Research Center for Viticulture and Oenology (CREA Viticoltura ed Enologia / CREA-VE), headquartered in Conegliano. Specialized experimental stations and laboratories are located in historic wine-growing regions: Conegliano (Veneto), Asti (Piedmont), Velletri (Lazio), Gorizia (Friuli-Venezia Giulia), and Grosseto (Tuscany).

The international authority of the Italian ampelographic school is inextricably linked to the names of researchers who worked within the institutes that now form the CREA. At the origins of the Conegliano station stood the eminent professors Giuseppe Giunti and Giovanni Dalmasso, who created fundamental works on the classification of grape varieties. Later, professors Luigi Manzoni and Italo Cosmo made significant contributions to clone breeding, variety study, and hybridization. In the modern era, the Council's research programs are implemented in close cooperation with the academic departments of the Universities of Milan, Padua, and Turin.

Key Achievements and Contributions to Viticulture 

Over the years, the research center has fulfilled a number of strategic tasks for European winemaking, focusing on the challenges of the 21st century:

• Implementation of the Innovative "M" Rootstock Series: A crucial vector of the work by the University of Milan and CREA in the 21st century has been the creation and implementation of a new generation of rootstocks (M1, M2, M3, M4). These rootstocks are the result of research initiated 30 years ago. During 15 years of field trials in Lombardy, Tuscany, and Sicily, it was proven that they possess outstanding resistance to water stress and extreme heat. Unlike traditional rootstocks, the M2, and M4 do not block the photosynthetic activity of the vine during drought (maintaining it 20–35% higher), allowing the vine to use water efficiently without the premature closure of stomata. Since 2015, the production of grafted vines on these rootstocks has grown 80-fold, ensuring the planting of over 1,600 hectares of new vineyards annually.
• Management of the National Variety Register: The organization's experts provide full scientific support and management of the National Register of Grape Varieties of Italy (Registro Nazionale delle Varietà di Vite), ensuring precise ampelographic codification.
• Phytosanitary Certification: The center developed and coordinates a state system for controlling the quality of planting material, guaranteeing nurseries and vineyards varietal purity and the absence of viral diseases in certified initial and basic category vines.