Erasmus+ • KA220-VET • 2023-2026
the European Union
Learn to irrigate the vineyard.
A free European training course on intelligent water management for winegrowers, technical advisors and the next generation of viticulture. Twenty hours of e-learning, four languages, a network of pilot farms across France, Italy and Spain.
The Project
The keys to more sustainable water management.
More and more vineyards in Europe are using — and will need — irrigation in the coming decades. Yet practical training rarely addresses the real questions winegrowers face on the ground: how much, how, and when.
Context
In southern Europe, drought, heatwaves and restricted water availability are now frequent. Some regions have decades of experience optimizing irrigation; others are installing systems for the first time. VINIRRIG bridges these two worlds — combining expert know-how with practical training adapted to climate change.
01
A 20h e-learning course
Six thematic chapters in EN, FR, IT and ES — calculating water needs, sizing systems, equipment, fertigation and more.
02
A network of pilot farms
Best Irrigation Practice Vineyards across France, Italy and Spain host field training, demonstrations and regional workshops.
TRAINING & NETWORK
Two ways to learn.
VINIRRIG combines digital know-how with on-the-ground practice — an online curriculum paired with field demonstrations on exemplary vineyards across the Mediterranean.
PILLAR 01
E-learning course
Around 20 hours of online training, available in EN/FR/IT/ES. Six chapters answering the key questions winegrowers and advisors face on irrigation.
01. Calculating the irrigation need of the vine
Learn how vine water needs are determined by analysing soil conditions, climate and plant water status to optimise irrigation and grape quality.
02. Evaluating the costs of intelligent irrigation
Understand the costs of designing, installing and maintaining an efficient irrigation system to support informed and sustainable investment decisions.
03. Installing & maintaining the equipment
Discover the essential principles of irrigation system design, equipment selection, installation and maintenance for reliable long-term performance.
04. Tools to control irrigation & water quality
Explore practical monitoring tools, from water meters to advanced plant-based technologies, to improve irrigation management and water quality control.
05. Additional equipment for fertigation
Learn the key principles of fertigation and the equipment required to deliver water and nutrients efficiently throughout the irrigation system.
06. Avoiding common irrigation mistakes
Identify the most common irrigation and fertigation mistakes while applying proven best practices based on European expertise and field experience.
PILLAR 02
Network of pilot farms
Best Irrigation Practice Vineyards in France, Italy and Spain host field training and demonstrations adapted to each regional context — combining digital know-how with hands-on experience.
FR
France
IFV · ICV
IT
Italy
Forma Farm
ES
Spain
LabFerrer
Why it matters
Why you need vinirrig.
Today's irrigation is not what it used to be. In the next ten years, climate change, water scarcity and rising costs will redefine winegrowing. We give you the knowledge to face them — for free, in your language.
-40%
Reduce water use
Drip and sensor-driven irrigation cuts vineyard water use by up to 40% versus surface methods.
+3°C
Adapt to climate change
Mediterranean wine regions are warming. Irrigation is no longer optional — it's a survival tool.
EU
Cross-border knowledge
Best practices from Spain's experience, with field validation in France and Italy. Open knowledge for all.
ROI
Better quality, lower cost
Smart irrigation improves grape quality and yields, while reducing operating costs and water bills.
Or project in numbers
A European consortium for sustainable vines.
Partnership
Four partners. Three countries. One mission.
VINIRRIG brings together research, irrigation engineering, sensor technology and digital training — a complementary consortium covering the full chain from the vine to the screen.
FR
Lead Applicant
Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin
France's national R&D institute for wine and vine, governed by professionals across the French wine industry. 19 research centers across major wine regions.
FR
Partner
GROUPE ICV
A leading French cooperative organization providing research, training, laboratory analysis, and technical expertise to support sustainable viticulture and high-quality wine production.
ES
Partner
Centro de Asesoría Dr. Ferrer
Catalonia-based SME distributing technical equipment and sensor networks for irrigation and soil management since 1999.
IT
Partner
Forma Farm S.r.l.
Milan-based e-learning specialist, founders of the Forma LMS open-source platform with 18 years of digital training expertise.
Funded by the European Union
AGREEMENT NUMBER 2023-1-FR01-KA220-VET-000158261 Project with multiple beneficiaries under the ERASMUS+ Programme
Free · Online · Self-paced
START
LEARNING TODAY.
The full VINIRRIG course is open and free. Self-register, choose your language, and begin building the irrigation skills the European wine industry needs.
Open access
EN · FR · IT · ES
Certificate on completion