Vine and Wine activities at Institut Agro Montpellier

The Center is part of the Montpellier Vine and Wine Sciences cluster (Institut Agro + INRAE + University of Montpellier), which includes 13 joint research units, 4 joint technological units and 4 experimental vineyards, bringing together 300 staff members, including 25 PhD students. 

13 joint research units (UMRs)

• UMR ABSyS | AgroSystems and Biodiversity
• UMR AGAP Institute | Genetic Improvement and Adaptation of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants
• UMR CBGP | Center for Biology and Population Management
• UMR Eco&Sols | Functional Ecology & Soil Biogeochemistry in Agro-ecosystems
• UMR G-EAU | Water Management, Actors and Uses
• UMR Innovation
• UMR IPSiM | Institute of Plant Sciences of Montpellier
• UMR ITAP | Information and Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture
• UMR LEPSE | Laboratory of Plant Ecophysiology under Environmental Stress
• UMR LISAH | Laboratory for the Study of Soil-Agrosystem-Hydro System Interactions
• UMR MISTEA | Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics for Environment and Agronomy
• UMR MoISA | Montpellier Interdisciplinary Center on Sustainable Agri-food Systems
• UMR SPO | Sciences for Enology

4 experimental Vine and Wine estates

Under the authority of Institut Agro Montpellier  

Many scientists of the Institute develop their expertise nationally and internationally in collaboration with socio-economic partners, working on a wide variety of projects.

Institutional Involvement

As members of the Scientific and Technical Council of the wine industry (IFV), at the INAO, as scientific experts of the OIV, as commissioners covering a variety of topics such as Biotechnology, Economics and Markets, Culture-Education-Heritage, Genetics, and Higher Education.

Technical Involvement in Industry

Offering support and advice in viticulture, oenology, economics, and marketing strategy. More specifically, since its founding in the 19th century, Institut Agro Montpellier has consistently maintained an involvement in the study, characterization, and preservation of grapevine genetic resources with the participation of well-known professors, including Gustave Foëx, Pierre Viala, Louis Ravaz, Jean Branas, Pierre Galet and, more recently, Jean-Michel Boursiquot and Thierry Lacombe.

Strategic forecasting

These activities are conducted in partnership with France AgriMer to support the wine  industry. Commissioned by professional organizations (Coop de France, Vinseo), inter-professional groups (Anivins de France, Sud Vin Bio, France Vins Bio, BIVB), public institutions (DRAAF, ministries), or companies (Vignerons de Buzet, BASF), these analytical activities provide valuable insights for strategic company  direction. 

In collaboration with its local partners, the Institute actively participates in and co-leads various initiatives to ensure innovation and continuous knowledge exchange within the vine and wine industry.

5 Industry Chairs led by L'Institut Agro Fondation

• The Vine & Wine Chair - The Vine & Wine Business Chair serves as a think tank to support discussions between industry and Montpellier's research and higher education institutions.
• The AgroTIC Chair - Supporting Agriculture’s Digital Transition - In partnership with Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Institut Agro chairs AgroTIC , dedicated to digital technology in agriculture.
• The Digital Estate (Le Mas Numérique) - Located in the Domaine du Chapitre, near Montpellier, this establishment deals with all aspects of digital viticulture and winemaking, providing over 15 digital tools and services available to students and professionals.
• The Agrosys Chair - Bringing together the scientific, academic, and economic communities to foster innovation for sustainable agrosystems.
• The Water, Agriculture, and Climate Change Chair - Knowledge Sharing, Solution Exploration, Education and Outreach, is a forum for shared reflections and actions, focusing on water and agricultural challenges, particularly in southern regions.

• Cluster Vinseo - A network of over 120 suppliers and companies in the viticulture sector.
• Consortium EMaVE (European MAsters in Viticulture and Enology) - A network of 18 international businesses and academic institutions involved in advanced education and research in viticulture and Enology.
• Oenoviti International - A community of 70 academic and professional partners conducting research and educational activities in Europe and abroad.
• International Viticulture and Enology Society (IVES) - A partnership of over 63 academic institutions and companies in the vine and wine sector, providing open-access scientific and technical publications related to the industry.     
• International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) - An intergovernmental organization founded in 1924 that supports wine-producing and wine-consuming countries by providing regulatory recommendations, promoting sustainable production, and protecting consumers.
• International University Association of Wine and Vine Products (AUIV) - A non-profit association comprising fifty French and international higher education institutions, focusing on wine and vine-related topics. Its mission is to foster education and research collaboration among its members in the viticulture field.
• Agreenium - An alliance bringing together France's top institutions in higher education and research in agriculture, food, environment, and global health. Agreenium strengthens collaboration among nine higher education institutions, including the Institut Agro, and two research bodies to boost international visibility and research impact.