The fifth edition of RIVE – the International Exhibition of Viticulture and Enology – concluded with strong participation from both the public and industry professionals. Held from 5 to 7 November at Pordenone Fiere, the event once again confirmed its role as a growing platform for innovation, sustainability, and internationalisation in the wine sector, featuring over 250 exhibitors from across Italy and abroad.
Focus on sustainable water management in viticulture
On Thursday, 7 November at 9:30 a.m., a dedicated session on sustainable water management in vineyards took place within the rich technical programme of the exhibition. During the event, the first results and capitalisation activities of the Interreg Italy–Slovenia IRRIGAVIT and ACQUAVITIS projects were presented for the first time.
Key speakers included:
• Prof. Paolo Sivilotti (University of Udine), who illustrated the progress of both projects, focusing on precision irrigation, the use of vine water status indicators, and the new knowledge developed to support intelligent and sustainable water use in vineyards.
• Dr. Mirco Sodini (University of Udine), who explored aspects related to the competition between cover crops and water resources in the soil.
• Vintel Team – Dr Amelia Caffarra, presenting the DSS (Decision Support System) used to support planning activities in the experimental vineyards.
The session highlighted how technological innovation, combined with applied research and cross-border cooperation, is providing practical tools to enhance vineyard resilience in the face of climate challenges.
RIVE: a platform for the entire wine supply chain and for innovation
According to the president of Pordenone Fiere, Renato Pujatti, the exhibition is not merely a showcase but a true hub for discussion and promotion of the entire wine supply chain: from precision viticulture technologies to sustainable production processes, agricultural robotics, and digital solutions for intelligent production management.
The technical day covered topics ranging from water-use efficiency to product quality, featuring contributions from sector experts, innovative companies, and representatives of regional agricultural institutions.
Collaboration and acknowledgements
A special thanks was extended to the associated partner ERSA – Regional Agency for Rural Development of Friuli Venezia Giulia, which played a key role in organising the programme and involving qualified technical speakers.
Admission to the sessions, as well as to the exhibition, was free for sector professionals, encouraging open and inclusive dialogue among companies, producers, technicians, and researchers.
