Among those present was the Hon. Paolo De Castro, MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. 

Milan, 15th November 2013 - ENOVITIS - the International Exhibition for the Techniques of Wine Growing and Olive Growing - is taking place at the exhibition centre in Rho Milan, together with the 25th SIMEI - the International Exhibition of Machinery for Wine-making and Bottling. Exhibitors include manufacturers of machinery, equipment, accessories and products for the cultivation of vineyards and olive groves. 

"Once again in this 2013 edition of Enovitis, the interest in technology for the wine sector, which is crucial for the production of a good wine, is confirmed.”- This is how Domenico Zonin, Chairman of the UIV, the Italian Wine Union, organiser of SIMEI, introduced the opening event of the biennial exhibition on until 16th November.

 The Hon. Paolo De Castro MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development – authoritative guest among the speakers - emphasised how the agro-food sector is now the most dynamic, and how in 2013, the wine sector alone represents the key to success in overall agro-food exports. “The wine industry is growing in exports, technological innovation and employment. A good deal of European funds are given to the agro-food sector, and of these, a good part are given to Italy. There is a substantial package of resources for the promotion of wine and technologies related to it in third markets alone, a practical response to the 550 million European consumers of wine."

 Enrico Pazzali - Chief Executive Officer of Fiera Milano - instead emphasised the new spirit of this event. "We are seeing a different Italy that showcases brave and capable entrepreneurship. The UIV well represents the sector, making this fair an international benchmark and maintaining the leadership of a growing market, promoting the Made in Italy brand throughout the world".

The inaugural event was concluded with the "Lucio Mastroberardino" Innovation Challenge awards given to a selection of companies in the wine industry who have stood out in innovation.

The entries were assessed by a Technical Committee composed of leading figures from the world of vine-growing and wine-making, the scientific community and wineries that are members of the UIV. Among the Italians, twelve researchers from two CRA centres and eight universities and as many directors of some of the most important companies in the sector in Italy.

Prominent names among the foreign members too, including Sakkie Pretorius, Macquarie University of Sydney, Fernando Chivite Lopez, Spanish researcher, Christopher Savage, E. & J. Gallo Winery (USA).

For 2013, the Italian Wine Union, the organiser of ENOVITIS and SIMEI from the beginning, chose sustainability as its focus for both events. The highpoint was the important international conference where leading players in the industry discussed the opportunities and critical issues related to this topic. There was also a wide range of workshops and seminars that can be consulted on the official site www.enovitis.it.

Today ENOVITIS is a meeting point for professional players in the industry, an opportunity for discussion, updating, training and information. The 2013 edition, which looks at the state of the art of sustainability in the complex world of wine, from the vineyard to the cellar, is the perfect opportunity to talk about Tergeo, a high point at ENOVITIS.