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Propagation of endangered grapevine cultivars: some reasons to 
recover and protect this patrimony

E. Dallavalle*, E. Triolo**
* Agronomo Libero professionista, Bologna, elisabettadallavalle@libero.it
** Presidente TOS.CO.VIT., S. Piero a Grado (PI).

Endangered grapevine plants of uncertain origin may represent a target for safeguarding. Current regulations guaran-
tee the propagation of selected plant material following clonal  procedures with the aim of excluding the most dangerous 
plant viruses. Thus, rare grapevine plants that survived the nineteenth-century plagues may be characterized by interest-
ing epigenetic features. Their progeny could take on an important role with regard to today’s viticulture: consider how 
these individuals could represent an important source of genetic material that not only possesses biological, historical, 
scientific and educational value, but also the qualitative potential to attract interest from the most demanding markets.

Moreover, in recent years, the recovery of ancient grapevines has been reassessed with the use of plants more than 
a hundred years old to produce new wines, and for which novel characteristics may be described on the label. In this 
context, in the last few years, intense research has been undertaken to evaluate forgotten plants and as a way to utilize 
old plantings. The ‘Associazione Partriarchi’ of Forli was the first to apply this approach to save a group of ancient vines 
that had been abandoned for decades. ‘Uva Caveccia’ and ‘Uva Morta’ were the vines involved: these very old vines 
have close ties to the Romagna plain in Italy where they were cultivated in connection  with maple or elm, and often with 
almond, pear or plum. In another case, the trunk of a century-old, white grape vine has surfaced recently near Aosta (Mo-
riondo et al., 2010). Genetic analysis was undertaken to determine its parentage: a descendant of Prié. The historical data, 
morphological measurements and parentage with Prié lead to the conclusion that the surviving plant belongs to the Blanc 
Comun variety. These are not singular examples of the use of old vines from the pre-phylloxera period. For instance, there 
has been interest in Valdobbiadene toward 100-150 year old plants located on steeper slopes between Farra di Soligo 
and Valdobbiadene. The Senarum Vinea project has made it possible to discover, also in Tuscany, ancient examples of 
century-old autochthonous/minor vines that have survived, essentially forgotten, up to the current day. Among the identi-
fied vines, we can mention ‘Gorgottesco’, ‘Tenerone’, ‘Salamanna’, ‘Occhio di Pernice’ and ‘Rossone’.

In addition, another interesting application for old grapevines may derive from their use as ornamental plants, as 
suggested by some examples within the monastery of S. Maria Maddalena in Bologna or in the Olivetani cloister of the 
church of S. Maria in Regola in Imola.

References

MORIONDO G., SANDI R., VOUILLAMOZ J., 2010 - Identificazione del Neret di Saint-Vincent, antico vitigno valdostano. - 

L’Informatore Agricolo, 5.

Adv. Hort. Sci., 2013 27(3): 101