Reducing pesticide use is a key issue to improve viticulture sustainability. The Alexandrion Group tries to integrate sustainability initiatives wherever possible, and this thought-leadership has taken a strong step forward within Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892 winery.

At the beginning of 2023, the winery, which is part of the Alexandrion Group applied the zero-pesticide approach to 50% of the vine, using environmentally friendly alternatives to deter insects, fungi, or other external factors that could damage the vine. This is a multi-stage process which started in 2022 with Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892 winery implementing an integrated pest management approach, aimed at strengthening the vine and making it more resilient to attacks.

Lorenzo Vergani, Operations & Rum Director Alexandrion Group, who coordinates the activity of Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892 winery states: “The health of our consumers and protecting the environment, that is aggressed by so many external factors are our absolute priorities. Experience has proven to us that producing pesticide free wines while maintaining the same quality standards that we have accustomed our consumers with, is possible.”

Recent discoveries have shown that including permissible copper compounds in organic agricultural production can significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in consumers of organic products treated with copper compounds. Alexandrion Group aims to eliminate from its wine production, all factors that could negatively impact health.

“In 2018, when Alexandrion Group took over Halewood winery, which was later rebranded into Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892, the pest control program was managed by French experts and they used pesticides that comply with the periodic list issued by the European Union, including pesticides allowed in EU countries. However, because we are aware of the negative effects that pesticides can have, we decided to replace them with alternative pest control methods. This is a multi-stage process throughout which we rely on the expertise of Jean-François Joumier, Master Distiller & Oenologist Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892, who has been working with the group for more than 25 years and George Barnotty, an expert in agronomy with a very strong track record in biological alternative industry.” Vergani adds.

The Group has been developing and updating grape production methods while maintaining traditional methods in grape fermentation and wine production. Grape vine care methods

follow the latest scientific advances in agricultural pest management, in line with the “French norm” at all stages of grape production.

George Barnotty explains: “This integrated pest management system involves all agricultural operations aimed at strengthening the plants and making them more resilient to pest caused by insects, fungi, or other external factors. It also involves precise field monitoring using the latest technology, such as drones, to monitor growth, control the intensity of infestation, and determine the appropriate time for chemical intervention with registered pesticides accepted by the EU, if necessary. For example, during the 2023 grape production season, Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892 winery did not use any insecticides. This does not mean that the insects didn’t attack the vine, but rather that their presence did not cause significant damage to the production, in terms of quantity and quality.”

Achieving this level of natural resilience to insects has been the result of a wide range of complex agricultural operations and a significant focus on carefully managing the grape vine’s nutrition, based on complex analyses of the plants’ needs, soil nutrients, as well as environmental interactions related to the number of sunny and cloudy days, rainfall levels, and associated changes in relative humidity, in addition to the number of moonlit nights, because insect transmission occurs at night and depends on this factor.

Referring to the history, quality and potential of Romanian wines, Jean-François Joumier stresses: “The countries that have the longest tradition in wine production are Romania and Georgia, followed by Greece, Italy and France. In the Dealu Mare region, where Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892 winery is located we have a very good landscape, very good terroir, so the potential and resources to produce high quality wines is very high as well. And we are doing that. The awards that our wines have obtained in prestigious international competitions reflect these conditions. Removing all pesticides from the production process can only add more value to the wines and make consumers feel safer drinking them.”

“George Barnotty has a strong expertise in environmentally friendly alternatives for plant protection and works closely with Jean-François Joumier to reach the target that we have set, which is to produce 100% pesticide free wines by 2025. As usual, we are leading the way and hope to inspire more and more producers worldwide, whether it’s drinks or food, to transition to the zero-pesticide management system, because health and the environment that we live in are more important than anything. No effort is too big to preserve them” concluded Lorenzo Vergani.

Alexandrion Group exports large quantities of its wines to countries such as Ireland, France, Switzerland, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Greece, Brazil, Australia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Canada, Taiwan and Dubai.

The wines produced by the Domeniile Alexandrion Rhein 1892 are highly appreciated by both international consumers and wine experts. In 2023 they were awarded master, gold and silver medals in prestigious international competitions such as Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Mundus Vini and Vinarium.

Alexandrion Group produces still wines in the ranges Hyperion, Hyperion Exclusive, The Mythological Collection, Concert Prestige Rosé, Byzantium and Prahova Valley and sparkling wines from Rhein Extra range.