The Innovation Challenge was created with the purpose of rewarding and highlighting the companies of the winemaking sector that are investing directly in innovation, thus offering a substantial contribution to the development of the whole sector.  Therefore, the most innovative projects have been selected among the works presented by the exhibiting companies of SIMEI-ENOVITIS, the exhibition organized and promoted by Unione Italiana Vini scheduled from 12 to 16 November 2013 in Milan.

The concerned sectors are those included in the vineyard-winery and beverage supply chain: agriculture, vine-growing, enology, agricultural mechanics and bottling/packaging of wine, water and beverages.

This second edition is dedicated to Lucio Mastroberardino, President of UIV, who died prematurely some months ago: he was the person who wanted and supported the creation of the Contest to stimulate and reward the commitment and excellence in this sector. It is indeed in this spirit that over thirty companies presented their projects for the edition 2013, proving that the sector is alive and future-oriented.

The innovations presented have been evaluated by a Technical-Scientific Committee composed of authoritative representatives from the world of viticulture and enology, from the scientific community and from the wineries that are members of UIV.

Among the Italian members, twelve researchers from two CRA Centres and from eight universities and as many directors of some among the most important wineries in our country.

There were also many foreign members, among whom Sakkie Pretorius, Macquarie University of Sydney, Fernando Chivite Lopez, Spanish researcher, Cristopher Savage, E.&J. Gallo Winery (USA).

The prize-giving ceremony will take place during the official opening of the exhibitions, on 12 November 2013 at 10.00 a.m., with conferral of the awards “New Technology SIMEI-ENOVITIS 2013” and “Technological Innovation Award SIMEI-ENOVITIS 2013” given to the projects deserving a special mention.

The mission of Unione Italiana Vini has always been to promote the Italian companies of the winemaking field, by contributing to the development of the sector in different ways.

The Innovation Challenge of SIMEI-ENOVITIS is one of the means used with the purpose of emphasizing the commitment of technologies and services manufactures, by highlighting the projects with recognized innovative content, which will then be the object of special interest for the visitors of the exhibitions.

Unione Italiana Vini is the most ancient and representative Association of companies belonging to the winemaking sector. Founded in 1985, today it has about 500 member companies that cover 70% of the Italian export value of the sector.  

Hereafter are the winning companies and their awarded works.