Vinitech-Sifel 2026 sets out more than 70 events for vineyards under pressure
The 25th Vinitech-Sifel will bring 500 exhibitors to Bordeaux from December 1 to 3, with conferences, forums, workshops, competitions, tastings and machinery demonstrations focused on economic strain, climate adaptation, agroecology and diversification.
Economic pressure, wine tourism and appellations
Organizers unveiled the main scientific, economic and technical program on November 12, 20 days before the fair opens at the Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux. The 25th edition, running from December 1 to 3, will feature more than 70 conferences, forums and technical workshops, 500 exhibitors and several live demonstration formats. Its central subjects are the pressures reshaping vineyards and agricultural businesses, including economic difficulties, adaptation to climate change, agroecology and the search for additional revenue.1
The opening morning on December 1 will begin with a 45-minute roundtable examining how wine tourism can generate value and support diversification in France. Scheduled participants are Gironde senator Nathalie Delattre, Michel Chapoutier of the national Vignobles & Découvertes federation, Solène Jaboulet of the Cité du Vin and Olivier Sautel of Deloitte.1
Later on December 1, the Grand Direct of the CNAOC will provide an open forum during a period of economic difficulty. Its first session, “Recreating Desire,” will consider how wine and appellations can reconnect with younger consumers and adjust their communication to changing consumption patterns. Martin Cubertafond, Krystel Lepresle and Jérôme Bauer are among the announced participants.1
The second CNAOC session will ask whether the French appellation system is chiefly a safeguard or a burden. Speakers will explore how the protected-origin framework could function as an economic instrument rather than a constraint, addressing simpler production rules, diversification, wine tourism and exports. Contributions are expected from Thiébault Huber, Raphaël Fattier and representatives of appellations and winegrowers’ organizations.1
Agroecology and sustainable innovation
The fourth Agroecology Summit on December 2 will assemble scientists and technical specialists working on soil regeneration and climate adaptation. Announced speakers include biologist Marc-André Selosse, agroclimatologist Serge Zaka, INRAE research directors Céline Pélosi and Lionel Ranjard, plant geneticist Christian Huyghe and agroforestry specialist Hervé Coves. Company case studies, including one from Maison Martell, will also be presented.1
A Spanish-focused roundtable, “Sustainable Innovation in Vineyards and Wineries,” is scheduled for December 2 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Hall 1, Forum 3. It will examine international research, development and innovation projects and other sustainability initiatives, with Sergi Lamo of PTV, Eloi Montcada of INNOVI and Mireia Torres of the Regenerative Viticulture Association among the announced speakers.1
Diversifying agricultural land
The morning program on December 3 will concentrate on diversification and the economic use of agricultural land. Presentations will assess the technical and financial viability of complementary crops, specifically kiwi, olives, hemp, citrus fruits and berries.1
Competitions and professional skills
Four practical competitions will be held as the Vinitech Games. The program comprises a virtual vine-pruning contest created by AgroCampus Bordeaux Gironde using immersive technology from Studio Nyx; a tractor-driving competition supported by the NAVI project; a cocktail competition backed by the CIVB and UMIH 33; and a barrel-rolling contest for exhibiting cooperages, including Taransaud, Demptos and Sylvain. The barrel event will have a separate category for students in training.1
Trophies for the barrel-rolling competition will be 3D-printed from local grape pomace by exhibitor Metay 3D, a company recognized in the fair’s innovation awards.1
Comparative tastings and machinery demonstrations
The Wine & Spirit Profiling feature will offer comparative tasting workshops led by the French Institute of Vine and Wine, the Union of French Oenologists and Enosens, supported by international specialists. The sessions will consider evolving consumer habits, climate-related challenges and the value of international terroirs.1
The tasting program is expected to include Mireia Torres presenting the Torres family’s recovery of ancestral grape varieties as a response to global warming, as well as a master class by Hungary’s Domaine Gál on the ability of Carpathian varieties to meet new market demand.1
A 3,000-square-meter outdoor Techno Show area will allow professionals to observe and test agricultural machinery, autonomous robots and other agrotechnical equipment in real operating conditions.1
Partners and organization
The program was developed with more than 20 institutional and scientific partners, among them the French Institute of Vine and Wine, INRAE, ISVV, Chambers of Agriculture and Inno’Vin. Vinitech-Sifel is organized by Bordeaux Events and More, or BEAM, which says it has worked in Bordeaux’s events and business-tourism market for more than a century.1
Sources
Written by the Dionysus editors from the sources above.
