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Preserving Malta’s vine heritage for a changing climate and sustainable future

Grapevines have a longstanding place in Maltese agriculture and culture. Malta’s warm, dry climate and abundant sunshine provide favourable conditions for grape cultivation, while grapes and locally produced wine form an important part of the islands’ agricultural heritage.

Studying and safeguarding local vine cultivars is therefore an important step towards preserving Malta’s natural and cultural heritage.  Each cultivar has its own identifiable characteristics, such as the shape of its leaves, the colour of its shoot tips and the appearance of its grapes. Documenting these characteristics makes it easier to identify and protect local varieties.

This common goal is at the heart of the agreement signed by the and the University of Malta’s Argotti Botanic Gardens and Resource Centre on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, by , Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply; Prof. Frank Bezzina, Rector of the University of Malta; and Mr Christian Borg, Curator of the Argotti Botanic Gardens and Resource Centre.

As part of the collaboration, specimens of the cultivar will be incorporated into the Plant Living Collection at the Argotti Botanic Gardens and Resource Centre. Argotti, with its historic gardens and botanical collections, also houses Malta’s main herbarium, making it an important centre for the conservation, study and documentation of plant diversity.

Mr Borg noted that Argotti Botanic Gardens play an important role for documenting and safeguarding plant genetic diversity, including through the mounting of herbarium specimens of the different cultivars and supporting research, education and the greater awareness of Malta’s agricultural and botanical heritage.

The collaboration with the Ministry’s will enable researchers to undertake both morphological and genetic characterisation of the cultivars. This research may provide new insights into the identity, characteristics and heritage of the cultivar, while contributing to its long-term conservation.

Permanent Secretary Mr Camilleri emphasised that the proper documentation and conservation of these resources, which are living assets of agricultural, genetic and cultural value, are essential to safeguarding Malta’s heritage. He also welcomed the collaboration, noting that the Ministry is pleased to once again join resources with the University of Malta.

The collaboration may also pave the way for further scientific work, including the possibility of a joint scientific publication based on the findings of the research. In fact, ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Rector, Prof. Bezzina considers “this opportunity to deepen our understanding of Malta’s plant diversity and contribution to its preservation for future generations, to be a fulfilment of the university’s role in generating and sharing knowledge that serves our society and its communities.”

Prof. David Mifsud, the Chair of the Board of the Argotti Botanic Gardens and Resource Centre, agreed, emphasising the importance of maintaining a herbarium of this kind as a valuable scientific record of Malta’s natural heritage. 

“Such collections are an important foundation for future research, allowing scientists to trace changes in biodiversity, identify species and document their distribution across the Maltese Islands. They also help to place Malta’s flora in its wider historical and ecological context, offering insights into where our natural heritage comes from, how it has evolved and the factors that continue to influence it. By preserving this knowledge, Argotti can support research and conservation for generations to come.”