Adapting to change in Maltese viticulture

Abstract

This dissertation explores how Malta’s viticulture sector is adapting to a combination of environmental and socio-economic challenges, including climate change, land scarcity, demographic shifts, and economic pressures. Despite its relatively small scale, the sector holds significant cultural, historical, and economic value. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study draws on semistructured interviews with fifteen key stakeholders, including vineyard owners, wine producers, agricultural consultants, and policymakers, to examine how adaptation is taking shape across the industry. The findings reveal that while Maltese viticulture faces systemic constraints such as fragmented landholdings, a rapidly ageing farming population, and the erosion of traditional knowledge, it also demonstrates notable adaptive capacity. Producers are investing in sustainable agricultural practices, such as precision irrigation, biodiversity integration, and organic fertilisation. The preservation and commercial revival of indigenous grape varieties, particularly Ġellewża and Girgentina, feature prominently as both a cultural and strategic priority. Some wineries are experimenting with vitivoltaics, combining solar energy generation with vineyard shading, as part of broader sustainability efforts. Technological innovation remains uneven, largely due to high costs and small plot sizes; however, initiatives such as sensor-based soil monitoring and mechanised pruning are gaining traction. Cultural branding and storytelling have also emerged as powerful tools, helping producers differentiate Maltese wines in competitive markets. Additionally, policy incentives and EU funding schemes have enabled investments in training, land rehabilitation, and modernisation, though access remains inconsistent. This research contributes to the broader understanding of agricultural resilience in small island contexts by offering a grounded, sector-specific case study. It concludes with practical recommendations aimed at enhancing the sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term viability of Maltese viticulture through coordinated investment, education, and cultural preservation.