The impact of vineyard landscaping and grapevine training systems on labour costs: a case study from the Douro Demarcated Region

The vineyards and wine industry are key pillars of the economy in the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR). However, the region’s diverse topography poses challenges, leading to high grape production costs. Additionally, ongoing difficulties in attracting labor threaten the sector's sustainability. Based on a multiple linear regression and survey data from 110 DDR farms, this study analyzed the impact of labor costs on farms with varying vineyard landscaping and grapevine training systems. Results indicate a clear relationship between certain landscaping and training practices and permanent labor costs. Traditional walled terraces, vertical planting, and cordon training systems incur the highest permanent labor expenses, while temporary labor costs remain minimal. Adopting less labor-intensive systems is a strategic priority for DDR winegrowers, with significant effects across the wine value chain. To enhance the sector’s sustainability, future policies should prioritize systems that are well-adapted to local conditions and economically viable.