On Friday, Carole Dieschbourg, Luxembourg's Minister of Environment, and Fernand Etgen, Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protection, were in Ahn along the Moselle river for the launch of the new project concerning the restoration of dry terraced vineyards in the protected area of "Pellembierg".
The pilot project was developed by the Administration de la nature et des forêts with the support of the Municipal Administration of Wormeldange and the Institut viti-vinicole in Remich.
Terraced vineyards with their dry walls are characteristic elements of the traditional Moselle landscape and support many habitats for rare species of flora and fauna. Because of their location on hot, dry slopes, they provide high quality local wines. However, despite these positive aspects, most of the vineyards have disappeared. Their exploitation is no longer profitable because many vineyard operations can now be mechanised.
Because of their potential in terms of sustainable development, studies are currently underway to reactivate the terraced vineyards that still exist and to develop new exploitation concepts.
The "Pellembierg" project constitutes a first pilot project in this direction, taking into account respect for natural relief, conservation of existing natural structures, the return of the old vineyard landscape and vin et nature tourist attraction trail.
Since the restoration of dry masonry walls requires the use of manual workers, the project was executed with the non-profit organisation ProActif whose aim is the reintegration of unemployed persons.
The project is intended to demonstrate that the creation of a nature reserve can result in economic value of the land in question.
Photo by MDDI
