AZORES | Regional Government boosts support for wine sector investment with opening of second VITIS Programme application period

The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Food informs that the second application period for the “VITIS” and “VITIS – Organic” programmes is now open.

As part of the 2026–2027 campaign, this programme focuses on the restructuring and conversion of vineyards in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, with an overall available budget of €1,785,000.00.

Of this amount, €1,685,000.00 is earmarked for the “Restructuring and conversion of vineyards” measure, whilst the remaining €100,000 is allocated to the “Restructuring and conversion of organic vineyards,” clearly reinforcing the commitment to modernising the sector and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

Applications may be submitted between 9 a.m. on July 27 and 5 p.m. on September 30, 2026, via the Financing Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries (IFAP) online platform. The applications will be subsequently assessed by the Vine and Wine Institute (IVV).

The VITIS Programme is an important support tool for investment in regional viticulture, helping wine producers to restructure and reconvert their farms, improve competitiveness, and promote adaptation to current market demands.

At the same time, this mechanism contributes decisively to the preservation of traditional grape varieties and the continuous improvement of the quality of the wines produced in the archipelago.

For the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, António Ventura, “the VITIS Programme continues to prove itself a strategic tool for enhancing Azorean viticulture, allowing wine producers to invest in modernising their farms, boost competitiveness, and preserve a viticultural heritage that sets the Azores apart.”

The government official also assured that the Government is “committed to creating the conditions for the sector to continue growing sustainably, combining innovation, quality, and the enhancement of our grape varieties and wines, which are a cornerstone of the Region’s agricultural identity.”

As such, the Regional Government urges all wine producers who meet the eligibility criteria to submit their applications during the application period, seizing this investment opportunity to bolster the vitality of the regional wine sector.

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU