IF VILLA BORGHESE IN ROME OR SEMPIONE PARK IN MILAN WERE VINEYARDS THEY WOULD ABSORB 2.000 TONS OF CO2 ANNUALLY: VINEYARDS COULD SAVE THE CITY FROM STIFLING HEAT AND UNHEALTHY AIR, ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY ORNELLAIA ESTATE AND UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE

Vineyards may be the solution for summer city dwellers: in the future these natural “purifiers” might save us from stifling heat and unhealthy air. Vineyards are able to absorb large amounts of harmful emissions. To demonstrate the positive impact vineyards have on the environment, the University of Florence and the Ornellaia Estate in Bolgheri (created by Lodovico Antinori and now owned by the Marquis Frescobaldi) are working together and according to their study, 100 hectares of vineyards absorb 1.500 tons of carbon dioxide and help keep the air clean.
Vineyards are undoubtedly beneficial to the countryside. The study shows that Bacchus’ favorite plants have very positive effects on air quality in the city. For example, if the 47 acres of the Sempione Park in Milan were turned into vineyards, Milan would reduce its emissions of C02 by 705 tons, equal to the emissions of 450 cars that drive about 10.000 km a year and in Rome the 80 hectares of Villa Borghese would absorb all the carbon dioxide that 750 cars emit, amounting to 1.200 tons.
The Ornellaia Estate, in collaboration with the University of Florence, has transformed its vineyards into an “open air” laboratory with researchers and the newest equipment for the detection of emissions and to study the beneficial effects vines have on the atmosphere. Throughout the summer the study provides constant monitoring of the efficiency of the vines from the leaves to the foliage.
“One of our goals,” explains Leonardo Raspini, general manager and agronomist of the Ornellaia Estate, “has always been to get the highest quality by optimizing the overall energy used while respecting the best working conditions. Ornellaia’s commitment in research and energy conservation is a must that we will always consider highest priority. We work closely with the University of Florence because every action is closely related to the other and must be the result of deep awareness and knowledge. Giovanni Mattii, the coordinator of the project, is Professor of Viticulture, Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Florence, who states, “doing research for quality viticulture allows us to evaluate the real impact vineyards have on the environment. The data measured at the Ornellaia Estate indicate that one hectare of vineyards absorbs 15 tons of CO2 per year, which become 1500 if we consider 100 hectares and 20,000 throughout Bolgheri. This is equivalent to CO2 emissions from 12.000 cars that have each driven 10,000 km a year”.
The quantity of CO2 vines assimilate and then use for photosynthesis is measured by an infrared meter with a special balloon that can enclose the foliage of the plant and determine the actual amount of gas exchange (carbon dioxide and water) of the entire vine. Plants fix CO2 through photosynthesis in the form of organic carbon and are the best-suited organisms to limit the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide because, in addition to the direct reduction of such gases, they trigger a positive feedback, which leads to an improvement of the microclimate.
The Ornellaia Estate also continues research on product treatments and its commitment to eco-compatibility capable of minimizing environmental impact. The Estate has its own system of phytodepuration from which it gets the water needed to work in the winery and agricultural center. It has photovoltaic systems to produce enough energy to operate the electrical equipment used in vineyards, which automatically regulate the height depending on the type of work needed on the plants (harvesting, pruning, suckering: 600 hours a year per man/hectare), help safeguard the environment by not emitting CO2 and preserve the health and safety of workers by reducing physical exertion to a minimum.
Info: www.ornellaia.it