The Regional Secretary for Agriculture, João Ponte, announced today that one hundred applications have been approved in the Azores under the Support Scheme for the Conversion and Restructuring of Vineyards, designated as VITIS, corresponding to a financial envelope of 3.5 million of Euros.
 
"Approximately 80% of the approved investment projects correspond to the applications submitted producers from Pico Island, where naturally the potential for wine-making and vineyard cultivation is very high," said João Ponte. The government official took part in a grape harvest in vineyards located at the heart of the landscape classified by UNESCO as world heritage site on Pico Island.
 
In addition to Pico, there were also applications approved from the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Graciosa; the 100 applications now approved correspond to a total area of 132.7 hectares.
 
"The Regional Government is pleased with the growth that has been verified. There is great potential in terms of the development of this island (Pico), which will naturally be marked by wine-making and vineyard cultivation in coming years," said João Ponte.
 
Regarding the tender process now concluded, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry mentioned that there were just over 20 applications "whose projects were not financed. They did not fail to meet the requirements; however, the available funds were set at 3.5 million Euros and the applications submitted represented an overall investment of 4.2 million Euros."
 
"I would like to announce that the Regional Government will do everything with the National and European authorities so that these applications may be approved under the next VITIS application period," explained João Ponte.
 
The government official also said the VITIS Community programme has increased, in recent years, the area for the production of wine with designation of origin and geographical indication from 230 to 800 hectares.
 
In 2018, the Regional Government estimates that the archipelago has about 1,000 hectares of vineyard production. This sector has contributed to job creation and wealth generation in different islands, such as Pico, Terceira and Graciosa, among others.
 
"Wine in the Azores has been enhancing its projection and capacity for innovation due to the work and capacity for innovation shown by winegrowers as well as by the Regional Wine Commission," said João Ponte. In this regard, he added that this sector has increasingly attracted more young people and enhanced the projection of the Azores at national and international level.

João Ponte mentioned that the investment in vineyards represents a further step in the consolidation and diversification of agriculture in the archipelago, noting that vineyard cultivation "will become even more important in a few years as it will contribute to job creation and wealth generation.