Climat Tour 2026 is a three-day training event designed to support advisors and viticulture professionals in understanding and applying plot diagnosis methods to evaluate pesticide transfer to surface water. The event focuses on strengthening practical knowledge and ensuring participants can deliver a compliant and effective pesticide transfer risk diagnosis at farm level.
A key highlight of Climat Tour 2026 is the presentation of a novel agroecological approach to pest management. Participants will be introduced to recent trials (2022–2024) addressing the growing impact of Cryptoblabes gnidiella, a pest that has become increasingly problematic in the Mediterranean region. To reduce reliance on insecticides, these trials evaluated the use of trichograms, parasitoid wasps that target and destroy pest eggs.
The approach relies on monitoring adult pest activity and implementing two to three releases of trichograms, spaced fifteen days apart, typically between 30 and 45 days before harvest. Results show that Tricholine Vitis, when applied higher in the canopy, achieves efficacy comparable to synthetic insecticides, contributing to a reduction in larval populations and improved grape cluster health. Conversely, T Protect Vitis, which is applied at ground level, demonstrates lower performance, particularly under high temperature conditions.
Overall, the findings presented at Climat Tour 2026 confirm that trichograms can be effectively integrated into an agroecological pest management strategy, provided that fungicide and insecticide programmes are adapted to preserve beneficial insects.
The event is aimed at wine and viticulture professionals and combines field-based learning with technical discussion. The morning session takes place in one of the vineyards of a farmer group (GIEE), offering a practical immersion into vineyard management practices. This hands-on experience allows participants to observe, discuss and draw insights directly from field conditions.
In the afternoon, discussions continue in a classroom setting through thematic workshops, followed by an informal tasting session. Topics addressed throughout Climat Tour 2026 include vineyard productivity, innovative viticultural practices, biodiversity, grape variety selection, wine tasting and promotion, and water management.
The event will take place on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, from 08:00 to 17:00, at the Foyer rural de Bagard.
By the end of the training, participants will be able to understand pesticide transfer mechanisms, carry out a farm-level diagnosis of transfer risks, and use the provided tools and documentation to perform a compliant assessment.
Climat Tour 2026 is organised with the involvement of key regional and sectoral partners, including the Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Occitanie, Gérard Bertrand, SCA Les Vignerons de Souvignargues, Les Vignerons de la Porte des Cévennes, Bee Friendly, the Institut français de la vigne et du vin (IFV), the Syndicat des Côtes du Rhône, the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc, and the Fédération Gardoise des Vins IGP.
For registration and further information, participants may contact:
Marine Pithon (marine.pithon(at)occitanie.chambagri.fr)
Alix Pourcel (alix.pourcel(at)odg30.fr)
