The key challenge Vinid’Occ, the University of Montpellier and the Occitanie Region are delighted to invite you to a scientific event taking place in Montpellier, France, at the Corum, Palais des Congrès.

The Vinid’Occ Key Challenge is a research programme funded by the Occitanie Region and led by the University of Montpellier, as part of a four-year scientific excellence initiative. The aim of this programme is to contribute to innovation in the viticulture and oenology of the future. Vinid’Occ develops high-level fundamental research (funding 14 projects with a total budget of €2 million) with international reach on grapevine and wine, from the gene to the bottle and to consumers, in order to acquire the knowledge needed to support varietal innovation and accelerate the evolution of viticulture and winemaking practices across the entire chain—from plant material and production to processing and markets.

Through conferences, flash talks, and dynamic poster sessions, our goal is to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of international research on grapevines and wine, with a focus on climate change and the reduction of viticultural and oenological inputs.

• Varietal innovation

• Viticulture of the future

• Innovative oenology

• Wine economics and society

• Artificial intelligence

• Water management 

• Patrice This, UMR AGAP Institut, INRAE, FRANCE
• Fabienne Remize, UMR SPO, INRAE, FRANCE
• Raphaël Métral, UMR ABSys, Institut Agro Montpellier, FRANCE
• Christian Chervin, UMR LRSV, INP Toulouse, FRANCE
• Tatiana Simic, DPS, Université de Montpellier, FRANCE
• Joy Sawaya, DPS, Université de Montpellier, FRANCE
• Auriane Dudoit, DPS, Université de Montpellier, FRANCE

📅 December 7th, 2026 – Opening Event (Free)

• Public conference: “Vines in transition – What wines will tomorrow bring?”

• Open to a larger audience

• Followed by a cocktail reception

📅 December 8th& 9th, 2026 – International scientific congress

• Two days dedicated to scientific sessions

• Focus on grapevine and wine research in the context of climate change and input reduction

• Conferences / Flash talks / Dynamic poster sessions

📅 December 10th, 2026 – Wine Journey

• Dedicated to oenological activities

• Participation optional A complementary experience for those wishing to extend their stay

• PhD Student (2 days) = 200 €
• Early bird (2 days) = 300 €
• Regular rate (2 days) = 450 €
• PhD Student (1 day) = 100 €
• Early bird (1 day) = 150 €
• Regular rate (1 day) = 225 €

• Wine Journey (optional) = 60 €