LONGVERDEJO project wraps up developing innovative ancient yeast selection and soil and vine handling techniques, to improve the ageing of white wines made with the Verdejo variety.
This initiative has worked on improving the most important oenological parameters to increase their commercial shelf life and use these Verdejo wines for ageing.
Bodega Cuatro Rayas has led this initiative, where the Vine and Vineyard Research Institute of the University of León has been involved, and the financial support of the CDTI Innovación with the European Union ERDF funds.
La Seca, 11 January 2023.- The R&D project LONGVERDEJO comes to an end after a three-year development achieving the goal of progressing on the ageing potential of Verdejo varietal white wines from DO Rueda. During the implementation period, we worked on the development of several innovative fertilisers and new soil and vine handling techniques, as well as in the selection of ancient yeasts.
Bodega Cuatro Rayas has led the development of this project, where the Vine and Vineyard Research Institute (IIVV, by its acronym in Spanish) of the University of León has also been involved. The initiative had an overall budget of € 599,000 and was co-financed by the CDTI Innovación with the European Union ERDF funds through the 2014-2020 Multiregional Operational Programme for Smart Growth.

RESULTS
With regards to the study of isolation, selection, and use of ancient wine yeast strains for the winemaking of longer-lasting white Verdejo wines from DO Rueda, we managed to identify, among all the studied, a relevant yeast (Torulaspora CBS1146). We will continue to perform comparative vertical tastings aiming to distinguish between the effects of the vintage, soil handling, and used yeast.
In terms of soil handling techniques, LONGVERDEJO has studied new soil management strategies aimed towards the winemaking of quality white wines with a long shelf life. In this regard, it is worth noting the design of an on-demand organic product for the localised adjustment of soil pH, achieving an improvement in nutrient availability for the plant, whereby pH variations in soils and obtained must have been observed.
Concerning vine handling, it has been shown that the foliar application of a phosphoric soap can vary the must pH. In addition, the efficiency of a pelargonic acid-based organic herbicide used both in weed seedlings and vine shoots have been demonstrated. Moreover, the efficiency of lime sulphur-based phytosanitary products and active matter ‘Cerevisane’ has been proved, strengthening the treated plants against mildew and powdery mildew. It is noteworthy the organic nature of all products used in Bodega Cuatro Rayas’ test plots.
In short, thanks to these results, it will be able to progress on improving the most relevant oenological parameters in order to increase the longevity potential of Verdejo varietal wines from DO Rueda, which would result in an increase in their commercial shelf life and the possibility to use these wines for ageing.

Even though it is still soon to accurately measure the specific and final results regarding the longevity of Verdejo varietal white wines from DO Rueda and the soil management, the first visible progress of this project allows us to observe quantitative differences, attesting we are moving forward in the right direction. Thus, Bodega Cuatro Rayas will continue developing the philosophy and methodology undertaken with this initiative through the production of wines under the ‘LONGVERDEJO’ brand, created from this project.
About LONGVERDEJO
LONGVERDEJO is an R&D project aiming to increase the longevity and ageing potential of Verdejo varietal white wines, through the development of numerous new strategies including the selection of indigenous yeasts and the implementation of new environmentally friendly viticulture techniques. Some of these techniques include new fertilisation methods for vineyard and vine handling, as well as new methods for ecological phytosanitary control.
Bodega Cuatro Rayas—a wine cooperative aiming to ensure the living standards of its members and workers, through achieving a balance between, profitability, value and sustainability—leads this project where the Vine and Vineyard Research Institute (IIVV) of the University of León is also involved, as a subcontracted institution. The initiative has an overall budget of € 599,006.36, and it is co-financed by the CDTI with the European Union ERDF funds.





















