Versterking markt en ketensamenwerking biologische wijnbouw : Groesbeekse wijngaarden op de (wijn)kaart

Viticulture in the Netherlands is gaining ground. Recently several enterprising pioneers have demonstrated that the introduction of new wine grape varieties, which are tolerant to fungal diseases and mature early, made it possible to grow wine grapes and produce wines of good quality in most parts of the Netherlands. This has inspired many people in the Netherlands to start with viticulture, many of them growing their wine grapes organically, without use of fungicides, pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizer. Wines of good quality have been produced from these organically grown grapes. With the increase in the number of vineyards the volume of wine produced in the Netherlands is rising rapidly. At the moment about 25 organic vineyards have been established (source: SKAL, www.skal.com) owned by 20 wine growers. The total area of organic vineyards is not exactly known, because not all of them have been registered by SKAL. It is estimated that about 10% of the total wine production in the Netherlands originates from organically grown grapes. A significant increase in this percentage seems feasible by means of proper education and training of the relatively inexperienced wine growers. Recent developments show an increase in organic wine growing amongst people starting commercial vineyards. The new grape varieties suitable for winegrowing in the Dutch climate are mostly also the ones showing resistance or tolerance to fungal diseases. Therefore, most growers have the possibility to switch to organic production of grapes. The province Gelderland shows a remarkable high percentage of organic vineyards, which most likely is related to the presence of pioneer work of vineyard ‘De Wageningse Berg (www.wijngaardwageningsberg.nl). In 2001, the vineyard ‘Wijnhoeve De Colonjes’ (www.wijnhoevedecolonjes.nl) was founded in Groesbeek in close cooperation with vineyard ‘De Wageningse Berg’. More recently, 5 farmers in Groesbeek have started organic vineyards. These growers have their wines made at vineyard Wijnhoeve de Colonjes, but sell their wines at their own vineyards. To further enhance the wine growing profession in the Netherlands the development of knowledge on how to grow wine grapes, how to make wine and the level of professional entrepreneurship amongst winegrowers has to be increased. More and more often winegrowers start cooperating, not only to save costs but also to learn from each other and jointly produce and sell wines of good quality. Good examples of this cooperation are Coriomasa in the province Limburg, the wine cooperation in the region Achterhoek of the province Gelderland and between winegrowers in Wageningen and Groesbeek. Together with the increase in the number of vineyards the overall quality of the wines should be taken care of and maintained at the highest possible level. If not, the image of Dutch wines will be harmed and it will become difficult to sell the wines at a price high enough to make profit. There seem to be plenty of opportunities for a further development of the Dutch organic wine industry. Besides the development and exchange of knowledge of wine growing and wine making, this further development also requires more knowledge amongst the winegrowers of what types of wines Dutch consumers prefer and the best options to market their wines. Cooperation between winegrowers in producing grapes, wines and marketing of the wines may also contribute to a further strengthening and development of the Dutch wine industry. In this project the wine production chain in Groesbeek has been used as an example for such a cooperation and to study the position of Dutch wines in the Netherlands, the factors involved in producing wines of good quality, and possible strategies for a fruitful cooperation within this wine production chain. A consumer enquiry showed several remarkable differences in the needs and preferences of consumers for Dutch wines. Only a very small propo