Invitation to an evening lecture on October 1, 2025: New grape varieties for more sustainable viticulture

Where? State Library Center, Otto-Mayer-Str. 9, 67346 Speyer

When? Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Oliver Trapp (Julius Kühn Institute, Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof)

As part of the public lecture series “A bouquet of flowers from agriculture, environmental and consumer protection”, which we are organizing in cooperation with the State Library Center Rhineland-Palatinate to mark our 150th anniversary, Prof. Dr. Oliver Trapp from the Julius Kühn Institute will give a lecture.

About the lecture: The Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof at the Julius Kühn Institute in Siebeldingen has been conducting research on grapevines for almost a century and has developed several new grape varieties during this time, such as Bacchus, Morio Muskat, and Regent. Today, the focus is on developing grape varieties with natural resistance to diseases caused by fungal pathogens, such as downy and powdery mildew, as well as improved adaptation to changing climatic conditions. These so-called PIWI grape varieties enable winegrowers to adapt to today's challenges in viticulture and make it more sustainable and resource-efficient. The lecture will take a closer look at the breeding of new grape varieties, and a wine tasting with wines from new PIWI grape varieties from the Geilweilerhof will round off the evening.

Please note that the lecture will be held in German.