RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

Putting things in perspective

VIVC (Vitis International Variety Catalogue - www.vivc.de) lists more than 10,000 grape varietals globally suitable for the production of wine, the large majority of which are grown on 500 or fewer hectares, respectively.

 “Native wine grapes hail from a particular place and region, and express a terroir unlike that of grapes cultivated anywhere else in the world. They are also specifically adapted to the environment in which they grow, representing the most ecologically friendly agriculture possible.” – Ian D’Agata, Club Oenologique.

As cited in Which Winegrape Varieties are Grown Where? (Kym Anderson – Univ. of Adelaide), perhaps fewer than 500 of the 10,000 varietals cited above are grown on 500 or more hectares, respectively.

Autoctovino’s® inception and objective

In 2009, Ken Hayden, with fourteen years’ experience selling wine in Ontario (Canada), set out to find a niche in the spirited provincial market for his agency, Appellation Wines, which would differentiate his company’s portfolio from that of the competition. With Jancis Robinson's pocket Guide to Wine Grapes in hand, as an introductory reference, he unearthed what would become an impassionate longing to consolidate the abundant information on rare indigenous varietals scattered on the web in one platform - Autoctovino®

Autoctovino®'s primary objective, since its inception, has been to consolidate information pertaining to the rarer (less than 500 hectares globally, individually) indigenous varietals in one platform, providing pertinent data and historical information while endeavoring to create a larger market presence for them. 

As there is growing evidence that rare indigenous varietals are being sought by more wine enthusiasts, keen to find and familiarize themselves with something different, Autoctovino’s® platform aims not only to facilitate both wineries to find export markets and distributors to source product but also to provide sommeliers and enthusiasts with access for both educational and sourcing objectives.

Though the community that this platform aspires to serve is potentially large, it lacks cohesion. As established as the large, more mainstream portion of the wine world is today, a smaller sector which accounts for about 10% of the global hectares but perhaps in excess of 90% of varietal options is, only recently, starting to make its presence felt.

As the Autoctovino® platform will be continually evolving, we invite interested parties, be it as a winery, importer/distributor, contributor, social media facilitator or whatever role you deem suitable to join our growing community and make this a comprehensive source.