The world’s first zero emissions Barolo harvest has been achieved by a partnership between FPT International and Fontanafredda.

The global challenge of energy transition demands not only widely shared solutions on a large scale, but also targeted actions in specialist sectors, which must be able both to deliver concrete results and to attract the interest of a broader public, through the high intrinsic value of the projects themselves.

Both can be achieved by projects involving partners with a long-standing commitment to environmental accountability.

Implementing these guidelines, a core part of its brand identity from the outset, FPT Industrial has joined forces with Fontanafredda, a historic winery founded by Vittorio Emanuele I, the first King of Italy, in 1858.

Fontanafredda produces Barolo and other wines from the Langhe region, which currently has 120 hectares of certified organic vineyards and promotes a new ‘Green Renaissance’ in the form of best-practice grape cultivation with no environmental impact.

The heart of the partnership is the supply of two New Holland TK Methane Power crawler vineyard tractors with biomethane-fuelled FPT Industrial F28 Natural Gas engines, which will work in the Vigna La Rosa cru that produces the grapes for the Barolo of the same name.

Recently awarded the title of “Engine of the year 2020” for its modular, multi-propulsion approach, the FPT Industrial F28 engine is designed to be compact, productive and environment-friendly.

“After being the ‘heart’ of the vehicles named Sustainable Tractor of the Year and Sustainable Truck of the Year,” FPT Industrial CEO Annalisa Stupenengo says, “getting to grips with the needs of the prestigious, delicate, sustainable top-quality wine-growing sector is a very exciting challenge for us”.

“In fact, the partnership with Fontanafredda will enable us to again demonstrate our full support for the European Union as it guides the green transition. Our biomethane engines are as efficient and high-performing as diesels, and this renewable, sustainable fuel is the real, immediately available alternative for eliminating emissions from agricultural vehicles.”

“We have the great good fortune to live in a unique part of the world, and we have to care for our wonderful land,” Fontanafredda grower Andrea Farinetti said.

“We need a new Renaissance; otherwise, a tomorrow that is like today is unthinkable. Obviously, we have to change and renew ourselves. For us, this renewal means making our land central to everything we do; this must be our overriding aim, and must lead to the creation of a great worldwide community, based on trust in others. This community will have many tools at its disposal for safeguarding our planet: ours will be wine, “green” wine. Our partnership with FPT Industrial proves that together we can do more, and do it better.”

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