Professionals from the world of wine and gastronomy have launched the Gredos Vivo Platform with the goal of consolidating mountain viticulture as a key tool to protect the territory, preserve the landscape, and contribute to the prevention of forest fires in the Sierra de Gredos.
According to the platform itself in a statement, this initiative arises in response to the growing vulnerability of the area, exacerbated by the abandonment of rural environments and the reduction of traditional agricultural land.
The organization aims to reclaim the role of the vineyard as the "central axis" of the mosaic landscape, the repopulation of the territory, and the natural containment of fire, in addition to acting as a brake against soil erosion.
The president of the platform, Dani Landi, has emphasized that the first line of work will focus on supporting the nearly twenty wineries affected by the recent fires. At the same time, he noted that they will promote actions to strengthen the sector and favor a respectful vineyard model, fully integrated into ecosystem planning.
Among the lines of action proposed by the entity are the recovery of abandoned vineyards, the design of specific incentives for mountain viticulture, and the incorporation of the viticultural landscape into forest planning. To this end, the platform proposes to strengthen cooperation among administrations, grape growers, wineries, and local entities.
The vice president of the platform, Telmo Rodríguez, has highlighted the need to combine efforts in light of the recurrence of fires to adequately prepare the field and the vineyard. In the same direction, chef Carlos Casillas has warned about the direct connection of the primary sector with gastronomy and the urgency of safeguarding the future of the region.
The Gredos Vivo Platform also includes other professionals from the sector, such as Juanan Martín and wine critic Luis Gutiérrez.