Carrying out the first zero-emission harvest of a Barolo cru in the world and celebrating 2025 by uncorking the first 100% sustainable bottle of the fine Piedmontese wine: this is the objective that led to the creation of the partnership between FPT Industrial, the global motor brand of CNH Industrial and the world's largest producer of low environmental impact motors, and Fontanafredda, the historic winery founded in 1858 by first King of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy, of which today Andrea Farinetti, son of Oscar, is also the producer. The unusual partnership between modernity and tradition thus becomes reality, giving life to what the two companies wanted to call the "new green Renaissance".
Fontanafredda has always been attentive to the environmental impact of its production, so much so that today it already has 120 hectares of certified organic vineyards. Now the further leap in quality, thanks to an agreement which has as its fulcrum the supply of two New Holland TK Methane Power tracked vineyard tractors, with FPT Industrial F28 Natural Gas engine fueled by biomethane. The ecological vehicles will work in the Vigna La Rosa cru, where the legendary Barolo of the same name is born, a wine that - it does not hurt to remember it - in its history entered the Wine Spectator Top 100, therefore recognized as one of the best wines in the world.
The partnership will come into operation as early as this year's harvest, to then produce the first 100% green wine starting from 2025, in the midst of the ecological transition that sees Italy as never before committed to fielding all useful solutions a achieve climate goals established by international agreements.
From a technical point of view, the tractors supplied by FPT Industrial will not only be ecological but also high-performing: according to what was communicated by the company, the F28 Natural Gas is capable of delivering 75 HP of power with a maximum torque of 330Nm and guarantees therefore, in total safety, absolutely comparable performance to those of the diesel model, even on the steepest slopes and on the slippery grounds that characterize the systems of the finest vineyards in the Langhe area. All with a zero ecological footprint, as the biomethane that powers the engine is not of fossil origin, but is obtained precisely through the anaerobic digestion process of agricultural residues.
This is just the last piece of a journey, that of the Fontanafredda winery, which already includes organic farming and a series of daily choices such as the use of native yeasts, the reuse of water, the choice of packaging materials. “What's new for us – commented Andrea Farinetti, 30 – is put the earth back in the centermust be our great goal, which must lead us to the creation of a large world community based on trust in others. The means of this community to safeguard the planet will be many, ours will be wine, green wine”.
“Try ourselves in such a prestigious and delicate sector as sustainable viticulture of the highest quality – added Annalisa Stupenengo, CEO of FPT Industrial -, it is a challenge that we have accepted with great enthusiasm. Indeed, the partnership with Fontanafredda will give us the way to demonstrate, once again, our full support for the European Union to lead the green transition. Our biomethane engines are as efficient and performing as diesel ones, and this renewable and sustainable fuel is the real alternative, feasible now, to zero emissions from agricultural vehicles".
