A mode of action resulting from scientific practice, experimentation is now being spread in a variety of situations: innovation, the regulatory world, urban policies, crisis management, etc. In all these areas, it contributes to renewing the formats of organized action, beyond the oppositions between planning and improvisation, centralized action and local initiative, administrative regime and market coordination.

Experimentation must be thought of over time. Some areas now allow the testing of new practices, driving methods or grape varieties. These areas of experimentation and demonstration produce significant knowledge that benefits the entire wine industry. These experiments are important for considering adaptation to climate change at the scale of a regional vineyard.

It seems essential to involve producers both in the design of experimental prototypes but also in the conduct and piloting of tests. To do this, support on co-design methods that make it possible to organize the collective reflection at the origin of the cropping systems tested can be organized. Beyond the wealth of ideas proposed, work sequences promote (i) taking into account the framework of the constraints of vineyards and (ii) the appropriation and dissemination of innovations by future users of the latter. The collective experience allows winegrowers to multiply their trials while sharing ideas and costs.

These experiments can be on how the vine is managed, or another means of planting the vine, or they can be local initiatives resulting from collective consultations, such as collaborative events.

Author: Maddy Tintinger (INRAE)