Climate Talks by Porto Protocol

Throughout April, New Generations: Leading Sustainability in Wine brings together the next generation of leaders from family wine businesses to explore how they are driving sustainability and climate action from within.

The series features four country-specific talks — France, Italy, Portugal, and the United States — each held in its native language and bringing together next-generation voices from the same country. These conversations create space for honest dialogue about what is changing inside family businesses, what tensions or challenges emerge, and how sustainability and climate decisions unfold across generations.

Each session will open with a short workshop-style introduction by family business conflict specialist Arnaud Daphy, who will frame the discussion through the lens of intergenerational dynamics and sustainability. His contribution sets the stage for conversations that go beyond technical solutions, addressing the human and leadership dimensions behind long-term change.

The tone is informal and candid — focused not on perfect answers, but on real experiences, practical shifts, and the evolving role of new leadership in shaping a more sustainable future for wine.

Old vines have survived heatwaves, drought, disease pressure, and shifting markets — often with fewer inputs and remarkable consistency. Their resilience isn’t theoretical. But what, exactly, can we learn from them?In this practical Climate Talk, our guests will share concrete lessons from managing old vineyards under climate stress.

We’ll explore how deep root systems enhance water resilience, why natural vine balance reduces intervention, what genetic diversity offers in terms of adaptation, and how decades of site knowledge translate into smarter decisions today.

HOST

Sarah Abbott - Old Vine Conference, UK

SPEAKERSAntonella Manulli - Fattoria La Maliosa, Italy

Rosa Kruger - Rosa Kruger, South Africa

Carolina Martínez Origone - Consejo Regulador DOP Jumilla

As climate change continues to challenge traditional viticulture, the need for sustainable, water-efficient practices has proven more urgent than ever. In this Climate Talk, we explored how dry farming can help vineyards adapt to rising temperatures and increasing water scarcity—preserving both vine health and the character of the wines they produce.We were honored to have with us a distinguished panel of experts: Linda Johnson-Bell, wine author and climate commentator; Guillaume Eicholz, viticulture consultant and researcher; David Fonseca Guimaraes, winemaker and advocate for dry farming Port Wine production; and Kees van Leeuwen, renowned scientist in viticulture and terroir.Together, they shared valuable insights, research, and experiences on how innovation and tradition can come together to strengthen climate resilience in vineyards around the world.

Old vines have survived heatwaves, drought, disease pressure, and shifting markets — often with fewer inputs and remarkable consistency. Their resilience isn’t theoretical. But what, exactly, can we learn from them?

In this practical Climate Talk, our guests will share concrete lessons from managing old vineyards under climate stress.

We’ll explore how deep root systems enhance water resilience, why natural vine balance reduces intervention, what genetic diversity offers in terms of adaptation, and how decades of site knowledge translate into smarter decisions today.

Hosted by Marta Mendonça - The Porto Protocol

Join us for a dynamic talk on decarbonizing wine packaging, featuring diverse perspectives from alternative packaging innovators, the glass industry, a reusable bottle scheme, and a retailer. This discussion brings together key stakeholders to explore real solutions and actions driving the wine industry toward a lower-carbon future.

Speakers

Madalena Moreira - Encirc (UK)

Katahrina Kleiner - Weincampus Neustadt (Germany)

Ciaram Dickson - Frugal Pack (UK)

Marcus Llhe - Systembolaget (Sweden)

Who’s who at the talk?

Marta Mendonça

With nearly two decades in Marketing & Sales, Marta Mendonça has worked across diverse industries, from telecommunications to wine & spirits. In 2016, she founded her own consultancy, promoting sustainability and climate advocacy. Since 2019, she has led The Porto Protocol Foundation, driving global collaboration on climate action in wine. She holds degrees in International Relations, Marketing, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Madalena Moreira

A Portuguese oenologist with global experience, Madalena Moreira ensures wine quality at Encirc. Having worked in top wine regions worldwide, she specializes in sensory analysis and bottling precision. Passionate about sustainability, she strives to make the drinks industry more efficient and environmentally responsible.

Katahrina Kleiner

working with Marc Dressler at Weincampus Neustadt as a research assistant, before I worked in the wine industry with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology and Master of Arts in International Wine Marketing.

Ciaram Dickson

Ciaran is the Commercial Manager for Machine Systems at Frugalpac, the company behind the innovative paper Frugal Bottle. He is responsible for overseeing the international sales of the Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine, supporting their mission to decarbonise the wine and spirits industry.

Marcus Llhe

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the early 1990´s, complemented by post studies in International Marketing and Trade. After university he has been working for various private and public organizations, with focus on sustainability from the start. Among other things he has been involved in research of substitutes to freons, ecolabelling, plastic collection and recycling, development of international sustainability standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 26000. At Systembolaget Marcus focuses on the environmental impact and performance in the supply chain, from the farm level to the shops.

Hosted by Fran Draper from Fran Draper Consultancy & Porto ProtocolThree winery owners and winemakers will share practical insights on how you intertwine sustainability & profitability, implement a holistic strategy across the business, and overall inspiration to other company leaders of every size.SpeakersAntonio Mendonça - Soalheiro (Portugal)Belinda Jackson - Lawson's Dry Hills (NZ)Miriam Mascarenhas - Herdade dos Grous - (Portugal)Wines to tasteSoalheiro Primeras Vinhas Alvarinho 2023Sauvignon Blanc - Lawson's Dry Hills (NZ)Herdade dos Grous Tinto 2023Who’s who in the talk?Fran DraperUK-based communications consultant specializing in PR, copywriting, and digital marketing. She supports charities, cultural organizations, and creative projects with strategic storytelling and media outreach. With a strong community-focused approach, she helps clients amplify their voice and impact. Fran brings clarity, creativity, and purpose to every communications project she undertakes.Antonio MendonçaBorn in Porto, António Mendonça is an agricultural engineer with extensive experience in the wine sector, from Port to Vinho Verde. Passionate about viticulture, he joined Soalheiro in 2024 and owns a small vineyard.Belinda JacksonBelinda’s passion for wine began in Bordeaux in the 1980s, leading to key sales and marketing roles in the UK and NZ. She has sourced wines globally, managed brands, and developed marketing strategies, also founding two major NZ wine competitions. A published author and former Radio NZ wine commentator, she joined Lawson’s Dry Hills in 2014.Miriam Mascarenhas: Graduated in Chemistry from the University of Évora. She joined the Herdade dos Grous team in 2011, where she currently works as Quality and Sustainability Manager. Being responsible for implementing the Quality and Environmental Management Systems, the Sustainable Production certification from the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program, the National Sustainable Wine growing certification and the ISO 14064 for carbon footprint and GHG emissions inventory.

In this episode, Adrian Bridge, CEO of The Fladgate Partnership, shares the story behind founding The Porto Protocol — the wine industry’s climate action network. From his non-traditional start in wine to leading global sustainability efforts, Adrian reflects on the initiative’s biggest successes, the power of collaboration, and the urgent priorities ahead. Recorded live at ProWein, this conversation dives into how businesses can engage with climate action, the challenges of keeping it top of mind, and the value of joining a network committed to change.About Adrian Bridge:Adrian is CEO of The Fladgate Partnership, which owns renowned Port houses like Taylor’s and Croft. A driving force behind wine tourism in Porto, he also spearheaded the creation of The Yeatman Hotel and the cultural district WOW – World of Wine.Prof. Dr. Simone Loose has led the Institute for Wine and Beverage Business at Geisenheim University since 2015. With a background in economics, she has conducted research in consumer behavior, wine marketing, and market research methods in Germany, Australia, and Denmark. She has held academic positions at the University of South Australia and Aarhus University and is an Adjunct Senior Research Associate at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute. A recognized expert, she has published extensively on wine and food marketing.

This was the first of a series of talks in partnership with Etienne Neethling that engage with leading scientists to explore cutting-edge research on wine, sustainability, and climate change. In this 1st edition, we’ll interview Stefano Poni, a renowned expert on sustainable viticulture from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Piacenza, Italy.

This climate talk is hosted in partnership with the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF) and is titled Natural Predators in Vineyards: From Bats to Insectivorous Birds of Prey, this session will explore how the remarkable biodiversity of vineyards can be harnessed to control pests naturally. From bats and rodent hunters to mealybug destroyers and insectivorous birds, we’ll dive into the vital roles these predators play in supporting ecosystem balance while reducing the need for chemical interventions. Together, we’ll uncover actionable insights on fostering biodiversity and creating healthier, more resilient vineyards. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how nature’s allies can transform vineyard management!

As vineyards face climate challenges and biodiversity loss, agroforestry offers a promising way forward—blending trees, shrubs, and diverse flora to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and resilience. Yet, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, and much remains uncertain.

This second edition, in partnership with the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, deepens the conversation, sharing insights, case studies, and ongoing learning in the journey toward climate-conscious, sustainable wine growing.

Panelists:

🍇 Anne Jones (Regenerative Viticulture Foundation)

🌿 Emmanuel Bourguignon (LAMS-21/France)

🌿 Katia Nussbaum (San polino/Italy)

🌿Olga Barbosa (Universidad Austral de Chile)