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Sustainable Wine and Beverage Tourism

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

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Editors

Department of Wine and Beverage Business Research, Geisenheim University, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
Interests: wine; beverages; food; consumer behaviour; organic wines; wine tourism; international wine markets; beverages and social media; consumer and market research
Department of Economy and Social Sciences, Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: economic development; tourism; climate change; international trade; wine; agricultural policy
Department of Landscape Planning and Nature Conservation, Geisenheim University, 65366 Geisenheim, Germany
Interests: rural development; agro-biodiversity; wine; rural tourism; wine tourism

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Developing sustainable wine tourism has become a key factor for many wineries and wine-growing regions worldwide in recent decades, and a number of academic studies on this topic have been published. Some of these papers deals with the role of wine tourism to sustaining regional economies and businesses through diversified income streams, while other studies explore the sustainability of wine tourism itself.  Sustainable tourism itself is a multifaceted term, which has been defined in various ways, depending on the main topic of research. As has been outlined by Portrais and Getz (2006, p. 427) “sustainable wine tourism will depend on identification and management of unique issues pertaining to the resources used (i.e., the land and water, labor, capital, and infrastructure inputs necessary for grape growing and wine making), specific forms of wine tourism development (e.g., visitor facilities and events at wineries, wine-themed interpretation and information centers, wine museums, wine-themed villages, wine country tours), and the specific impacts caused by wine-related tourism (such as increased traffic on rural roads, development of services and facilities in agricultural areas, and new and increased spending patterns)”. Thus, a sustainable wine tourism system will include many stakeholders—wine producers, regional wine and tourism associations, tour operators, hospitality and accommodation providers, and wine region residents, including employees within the sector—and a range of economic, ecological, social, cultural and political resources. A wide range of disciplinary approaches can also be brought to the study of sustainable wine tourism, including marketing and consumer behavior, environmental management, human geography, and economics.

The goal of this Topical Collection is to explore the concept of “sustainability” as it relates to wine tourism and the “pillars”—economic, sociocultural, and environmental—that constitute a sustainable wine tourism system. The interaction of the many elements of the system—from wine producers to wine tourists themselves—are critical to its sustainability, and the concept can be assessed at the level of the individual winery, the wine region, or nation as a whole. Papers acknowledging the current context of COVID-19 are of interest, although papers researched pre-, during or post-COVID-19 will also be considered for this Topical Collection. We also welcome papers that consider sustainability issues in the context of other alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, cider, whisky). We encourage the submission of papers on the following topics, or similar:

  • Wine tourism as a tool for regional resilience;
  • Preserving regional heritage through wine tourism;
  • Sharing alternative farming practices through wine tourism;
  • Food culture and sustainable wine tourism;
  • Wine tourism and biodiversity and biosecurity;
  • Sustainable wine festivals and events;
  • Training and sustaining a wine tourism workforce;
  • Social sustainability and wine tourism;
  • Sustaining destinations through wine tourism;
  • Organic farming and wine tourism;
  • Innovation and wine tourism;
  • Consumer demand for sustainable wine tourism;
  • Wine tourism in a time of global pandemic.

Prof. Dr. Gergely Szolnoki
Prof. Dr. Raul Compes Lopez
Dr. Maximilian Tafel
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability
  • wine
  • alcoholic beverages
  • food
  • gastronomy
  • festivals and events
  • hospitality
  • heritage
  • rural development
  • destination management
  • organic farming
  • biodiversity
  • biosecurity
  • innovation
  • COVID-19

Published Papers (12 papers)

2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021

23 pages, 8143 KiB  
Article
Port Wine and Wine Tourism: The Touristic Dimension of Douro’s Landscape
by Joana A. Quintela, Helena Albuquerque and Isabel Freitas
Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11718; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511718 - 29 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1445
Abstract
Wine tourism is one of the most important products for developing tourism in Portugal. The aim of this paper is to assess the importance of Port Wine for the tourism development of the Douro landscape, using a case study approach based on interviews [...] Read more.
Wine tourism is one of the most important products for developing tourism in Portugal. The aim of this paper is to assess the importance of Port Wine for the tourism development of the Douro landscape, using a case study approach based on interviews with several stakeholders, through qualitative research. For this purpose, we selected a sample of respondents composed of the sector stakeholders of Port vineyards. The results allow us to ponder and highlight the importance of the Port Wine culture for the region’s development, as well as to identify the economic, social, and emotional values inherent to those who work in the sector based on an identity connected to the territory. This study focuses mainly on the approach taken to wine tourism, identifying the level of investment made in this area in terms of specialized training for employees, the creation of facilities and procedures suited to the practice of this type of tourism, as well as the values of the territory and wine that should guide the development of wine tourism activities in the Port Wine region. The impacts of COVID-19 on the sector are also analyzed, classifying them into different dimensions. Full article
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14 pages, 726 KiB  
Article
Perceiving and Adapting to Climate Change: Perspectives of Tuscan Wine-Producing Agritourism Owners
by Rachel Germanier and Niccolò Moricciani
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2100; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032100 - 22 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1473
Abstract
It is now widely accepted that climate change is having a profound impact on the weather systems around the world. These, in turn, have a considerable effect on two important elements of the Tuscan economy: wine production and tourism. This case study sought [...] Read more.
It is now widely accepted that climate change is having a profound impact on the weather systems around the world. These, in turn, have a considerable effect on two important elements of the Tuscan economy: wine production and tourism. This case study sought to explore the relationship between the perception of Tuscan wine-producing agritourism owners of the potentially abstract notion of climate change and their concrete experiences as entrepreneurs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight wine-producing agritourism owners or managers in Val d’Orcia, a small area of Siena, Tuscany, and analysed thematically. The impact of climate change on the area’s viticulture is undeniable but the responses to the challenges are more nuanced. Political leadership on the climate crisis appears absent and perhaps as a consequence, these small-scale operators lack knowledge and funds to enable them to plan ahead: they react often day-to-day to the immediate weather conditions rather than planning long term. While recognizing the difficulties they face from climate change as viticulturists, as agrotourism owners they welcome the longer seasons which enable them to open in the formerly barren shoulder seasons but struggle with last-minute cancellations due to unpredictable weather in the area. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021

21 pages, 1908 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Intangible Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Tourism Development in Rural Areas: The Case of the “Marche Food and Wine Memories” Project (Italy)
by Mara Cerquetti, Concetta Ferrara, Annamaria Romagnoli and Gianluca Vagnarelli
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16893; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416893 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3162
Abstract
In the context of increasing interest in the contribution made by culture to the implementation of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the present research investigates how intangible cultural heritage (ICH) can help sustainable tourism in rural areas. [...] Read more.
In the context of increasing interest in the contribution made by culture to the implementation of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the present research investigates how intangible cultural heritage (ICH) can help sustainable tourism in rural areas. Adopting a case study methodology, we analyzed the “Marche Food and Wine Memories” project, an initiative promoted by CiùCiù, a winery based in Offida, a small village in the Marche region (Italy). After discussing the strategies and tools adopted to enhance rural heritage, the analysis focuses on the involvement of local communities and businesses in the different phases of the process. The research aimed to understand: (1) the project’s current contribution to the economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions of sustainability; and (2) its strengths and weaknesses and possible future improvements. The research findings confirm the high potentialities of ICH-based initiatives for sustainable tourism development in rural areas, but also reveal the need to improve the level of networking with local businesses and highlight gaps in marketing and management skills. Finally, the results provide policy and managerial implications for similar ICH-based initiatives. Full article
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18 pages, 909 KiB  
Article
Managing Wine Tourism and Biodiversity: The Art of Ambidexterity for Sustainability
by Claire Lamoureux, Nindu Barbier and Tatiana Bouzdine-Chameeva
Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15447; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215447 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1897
Abstract
Wine tourism is a mutually beneficial opportunity for customers to experience a wine region and for wine producers to promote their individual practices and approaches in the wine- making process. This article aims to understand producers’ perspectives on the challenges they face when [...] Read more.
Wine tourism is a mutually beneficial opportunity for customers to experience a wine region and for wine producers to promote their individual practices and approaches in the wine- making process. This article aims to understand producers’ perspectives on the challenges they face when trying to protect their wine estate’s biodiversity as they develop wine-related touristic activities. The research is based on an exploratory, multiple case study of wine producers, who are protecting their wine estate’s biodiversity on in Languedoc-Roussillon region, France. The study reveals the important synergies between biodiversity and wine tourism to increase global sustainability, to bond with customers and to positively impact the wine region. Yet, promoting biodiversity on a wine estate creates tensions on resources and requires investments which are not always highly profitable. Raising awareness about biodiversity is also much needed at both ends of the “producer-customer” relationship. Our results led us to develop an ambidexterity model, adapted to the management of wineries, that concurrently protects their biodiversity and develops wine tourism. We believe these results can be useful for both public and private stakeholders to adapt their wine tourism service offers, and support wine producers in their quest to develop biodiversity of their lands and overall sustainability. Full article
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12 pages, 1218 KiB  
Article
Environmental Sustainability and Tourism—The Importance of Organic Wine Production for Wine Tourism in Germany
by Gergely Szolnoki and Maximilian Tafel
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11831; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911831 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2084
Abstract
Sustainable aspects of wine tourism have become very important in recent years. The environmental sustainability of wineries, in the form of organic certification, is not a direct component of wine tourism but can nevertheless play a significant role in visiting a winery. Semi-structured [...] Read more.
Sustainable aspects of wine tourism have become very important in recent years. The environmental sustainability of wineries, in the form of organic certification, is not a direct component of wine tourism but can nevertheless play a significant role in visiting a winery. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 32 wineries from 10 different German wine growing regions were conducted to analyze the tourism appeal, the importance of organic certification, and the future development of organic wine tourism from the producers’ points of view. The results show that there is certain evidence for using organic certification as a unique selling point, but it appears that wineries are not fully exploiting these possibilities. This study could help organic wineries to get a transparent picture of the current situation in terms of relevance and to break down communication barriers in order to establish contact with potential visitors to the winery. Full article
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16 pages, 678 KiB  
Article
Digital Winescape and Online Wine Tourism: Comparative Insights from Crete and Santorini
by Maria Alebaki, Maria Psimouli, Stella Kladou and Foivos Anastasiadis
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8396; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148396 - 08 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3022
Abstract
In the pursuit of sustainability and competitiveness, digital aspects of the tourism experience become increasingly more significant and wine tourism is no exception to this. Still, studies building on established concepts and sustainable practices in the corporate environment often prioritize physical attributes. One [...] Read more.
In the pursuit of sustainability and competitiveness, digital aspects of the tourism experience become increasingly more significant and wine tourism is no exception to this. Still, studies building on established concepts and sustainable practices in the corporate environment often prioritize physical attributes. One such example refers to winescape frameworks, which are yet to explicitly incorporate the digital experience, despite the growing importance of the digital servicescape. This study contributes to this area by commenting on available data on winery websites and adopting the winescape concept to analyze social media activity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of the study includes 53 wineries, located in two well-known Greek wine tourism destinations, namely Crete and Santorini. The results identify the most common winescape components that wineries emphasize, revealing similarities and differences across the two destinations. Implications highlight the winescape dimensions that (should) matter the most when considering digital experiences, and provide insights for wine tourism scholars and businesses alike towards a more sustainable wine supply chain. Full article
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10 pages, 1055 KiB  
Article
Are Winegrowers Tourism Promoters?
by Mariana Senkiv, Jörn Schultheiß, Maximilian Tafel, Martin Reiss and Eckhard Jedicke
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7899; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137899 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1772
Abstract
Winegrowers are significantly shaping the landscapes of wine regions around the world. These landscapes are often the most important reason why tourists decide to visit. Although it could be concluded that winegrowers play a central role in attracting tourists, the question of whether [...] Read more.
Winegrowers are significantly shaping the landscapes of wine regions around the world. These landscapes are often the most important reason why tourists decide to visit. Although it could be concluded that winegrowers play a central role in attracting tourists, the question of whether they can be considered tourism promoters remains unanswered. This paper aims to develop a theoretical framework to better understand the function of winegrowers in relation to tourism promotion. In doing so, the different disciplines of wine production, tourism, and landscape research are brought together. The created framework shows a variety of positive touristic influences that can be attributed to winegrowers, such as developing cultural landscapes, promoting regional identity, and furthering intersectoral cooperation. More importantly, it allows for a holistic assessment of a relatively unexplored research field. This is vital to understanding the impact that winegrowers have on the touristic success of wine regions. Based on careful consideration of individual factors, compensating winemakers for their yet little-recognized function as landscape stewards could be appropriate. In this context, the concept of ecosystem services may be helpful to monetize services for public goods. Full article
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14 pages, 4610 KiB  
Article
Consuming Location: The Sustainable Impact of Transformational Experiential Culinary and Wine Tourism in Chianti Italy
by Darcen Esau and Donna M. Senese
Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7012; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127012 - 08 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2142
Abstract
Tourists visit wine and culinary destinations for unique, geographically indicated experiences that are place specific. The objective of this research is to understand how the transformational potential of experiential wine and culinary tourism best promotes sustainability in the context of international educational travel. [...] Read more.
Tourists visit wine and culinary destinations for unique, geographically indicated experiences that are place specific. The objective of this research is to understand how the transformational potential of experiential wine and culinary tourism best promotes sustainability in the context of international educational travel. Our case study in the iconic Chianti Region of Italy applies a ‘Hopeful Tourism Enquiry’ perspective and focuses on participatory, co-transformative learning, and mindful sustainability. A mixed qualitative research strategy was implemented that integrates the results of in-depth interviews with industry experts, excerpts from expository travel journals simultaneously captured during the experience, and focus group dialogues with participating students at the end of the field course. This case study revealed three overlapping thematic results that illustrate the influence of experiential educational tourism on the sensory and cultural experience of sustainable food and wine to produce co-transformative learning. The co-creation of memorable experiences establishes a unique sensual representation of provenance through the interaction with the region through narrative so that not only is the food and wine being consumed, but also the consumption of place through the storyscape of a positive and memorable experience. Full article
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16 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of New Implemented Sustainable Wine Tourism Strategies during the COVID-19 Crisis
by Gergely Szolnoki, Susan Bail, Maximilian Tafel, Aron Feher and Cristina Veith
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4688; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084688 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2979
Abstract
To compensate for loss of business during the COVID-19 crisis, wineries in the tourism industry had to apply new strategies. In order to collect and compare these newly developed sustainable strategies, a cross-cultural study has been conducted in 2021. This study is based [...] Read more.
To compensate for loss of business during the COVID-19 crisis, wineries in the tourism industry had to apply new strategies. In order to collect and compare these newly developed sustainable strategies, a cross-cultural study has been conducted in 2021. This study is based on a qualitative survey using purposeful sampling with key decision-makers of 70 wineries from the U.S., Australia, Germany, Hungary, and Romania covering wine growing countries both from the Old and New World. The aim was to identify new and sustainable initiatives and resilience strategies implemented to deal with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, noting any cultural differences in each country’s response and to analyse the perspectives of wine tourism in the future. The findings highlight the wineries’ impressive focus on creativity and flexibility while also bringing attention to cultural differences. The insights form a preliminary suggestion for best practice strategies that businesses within wine tourism may consider helpful in their future business planning. Full article
13 pages, 1857 KiB  
Article
The Wine Effects in Tourism Studies: Mapping the Research Referents
by Paulina Campos-Andaur, Karen Padilla-Lobo, Nicolás Contreras-Barraza, Guido Salazar-Sepúlveda and Alejandro Vega-Muñoz
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2569; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052569 - 23 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2335
Abstract
This research provides an empirical overview of articles and authors referring to research on wine tourism, analyzed from 2000 to 2021, and what they contribute to deepening the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8. The articles were examined through a bibliometric approach based on [...] Read more.
This research provides an empirical overview of articles and authors referring to research on wine tourism, analyzed from 2000 to 2021, and what they contribute to deepening the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8. The articles were examined through a bibliometric approach based on data from 199 records stored in the Web of Science (JCR), applying traditional bibliometric laws, and using VOSviewer for data processing and metadata. The results highlight an exponential increase in scientific production without interruptions between 2005 and 2020, with a concentration in only 35 highly cited authors, where the hegemony is held by Australia, among the co-authorship networks of worldwide relevance. The main topics observed in the literature are local development through wine tourism, sustainability and nature conservation, and strategies for sustainable development. Finally, there are six articles with great worldwide influence in wine tourism studies that maintain in their entirety the contribution made by researchers affiliated with Australian universities. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022

22 pages, 5555 KiB  
Article
Promoting Sustainability through Regional Food and Wine Pairing
by Manuel Serra, Nuno Antonio, Claudia Henriques and Carlos M. Afonso
Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13759; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413759 - 13 Dec 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3097
Abstract
Sustainable development has been growingly recognized as important in the scope of tourism and hospitality industry practices. Gastronomic tourism associated with regional food-and wine pairing helps the emerging of higher quality services and contributes to the sustainability of tourist destinations. This study presents [...] Read more.
Sustainable development has been growingly recognized as important in the scope of tourism and hospitality industry practices. Gastronomic tourism associated with regional food-and wine pairing helps the emerging of higher quality services and contributes to the sustainability of tourist destinations. This study presents a pairing model based on three Real-Time Delphi (RTD) questionnaires to allow experts to select and pair regional wines with regional foods. In the first questionnaire, the experts were asked to choose, by category, the most representative regional dishes from the Algarve region (Portugal). In the second questionnaire, for each dish, experts voted on the best regional wines for the dish. In the third questionnaire, experts made quantitative and qualitative analyses for each of the three most voted wines for each dish. The resulting pairing model of regional food and wines will be communicated to tourism professionals and the general public. By promoting the consumption of these pairings, we promote an efficient, socially fair, and ecologically sustainable local economy. At the same time, we stimulate the circular economy in tourism. Full article
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18 pages, 2605 KiB  
Article
Impact of Climate Change on Wine Tourism: An Approach through Social Media Data
by Veronica Alampi Sottini, Elena Barbierato, Iacopo Bernetti and Irene Capecchi
Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7489; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137489 - 05 Jul 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3338
Abstract
Wine tourism is one of the best opportunities for rural development, but because it is partially exposed to climatic conditions, it is a climate-vulnerable tourism activity. However, an understanding of the potential impacts of global climate change on this popular activity remains limited. [...] Read more.
Wine tourism is one of the best opportunities for rural development, but because it is partially exposed to climatic conditions, it is a climate-vulnerable tourism activity. However, an understanding of the potential impacts of global climate change on this popular activity remains limited. This study proposes a new methodology that combines current daily gridded climate data from the E-OBS project with big spatiotemporal data from the Flickr photo-sharing platform through a generalized additive model This methodology was implemented to study the potential impacts on tourism flows due to climate change and to make predictions about the future using data from the CMIP5 project. We applied the methodology to 5 European wine tourism regions: Alsace (FR), Chianti (IT), La Rioja (SP), Langhe-Monferrato (IT), and Moselle (DE). Results show an increased probability of presence and increased deseasonalization of tourism in all study areas and an anticipation of peak presence from summer to spring in three of the five regions. We believe that these results can be useful for public and private stakeholders to adapt the offer of wine tourism services to changes in demand and to direct the organization of events such as festivals and thematic tours. Full article
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