Good Practice - Project
Installation of a smart drip irrigation system for vineyards with water reuse in a viticultural enterprise on the island of Santorini
Smart drip irrigation investment modernises viticulture, boosts water efficiency, creates jobs and supports long-term sustainability for an Aegean island farming community.
General information
RDP Priority
- P4. Ecosystems management
RDP Focus Area
- 4B: Water management
RDP Measure
- M04: Investments in physical assets
Beneficiary type
- Farmer / land manager
Summary
This project introduced a smart, precision irrigation system at Ktima Sigalas S.A., a leading winery on the island of Santorini, operating in a water-scarce and climate-vulnerable environment. Faced with prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and increasing pressure on freshwater resources, the winery adopted an innovative approach combining desalinated water, recycled treated wastewater, and data-driven irrigation technologies. Soil moisture sensors and a cloud-based control system enable targeted water application, improving efficiency and strengthening vine resilience.
The initiative has reduced freshwater use by around 30%, enhanced grape yield and quality, and created seasonal employment while upskilling staff in modern agricultural practices. By aligning climate adaptation, environmental protection, and economic performance, the project demonstrates how CAP-supported investment can help small producers in remote island regions modernise sustainably, reinforcing long-term agricultural viability and serving as a replicable model for other Mediterranean and water-stressed areas.
Results
- Eight seasonal jobs were generated through expanded vineyard operations and higher productivity.
- Smart drip irrigation using recycled wastewater and desalinated water reduced freshwater consumption by about 30% per hectare, preserving scarce island resources.
- Precision irrigation lowered plant stress, strengthened drought resilience, and reduced water-related environmental pressures.
- Improved water management enhanced grape yields and quality, supporting premium wine production.
- Around 15 staff received training in precision agriculture, supporting technology uptake and modernising traditional viticulture.
Promoter
Ktima Sigala S.A.
Funding
Total budget: 140 977 (EUR)
EAFRD: 88 816 (EUR)
National/Regional: 9 868 (EUR)
Private/own: 42 293 (EUR)
Resources
Links
Context
Ktima Sigalas S.A. is an established Greek winery on Santorini Island, internationally recognised for premium wines made from indigenous grape varieties, including Assyrtiko, Aidani, Mandilaria, and Mavrotragano. Its 28.22 hectares of vineyards are cultivated on Santorini’s distinctive volcanic soils under traditional, largely non-irrigated practices shaped by historically favourable climatic conditions.
As an island producer operating in a remote area with natural constraints, the winery faces structural challenges common to many small and medium-sized agricultural businesses in outermost and insular regions: limited freshwater resources, higher input and transport costs, fragmented land, and heightened exposure to climate variability compared to mainland peers.
Recent climate trends in the Aegean (including prolonged droughts, reduced rainfall and rising temperatures) have intensified pressures on viticulture, affecting vine health, yields and grape quality. Water management is therefore central to both local resilience and wider EU policy priorities. Agriculture accounts for roughly 30% of total EU water abstraction, making efficient water use a strategic concern under the CAP and related national climate adaptation frameworks. Such EU support plays a critical role in enabling smaller producers in disadvantaged areas to invest in modern infrastructure that would otherwise be financially out of reach.
Across the EU, there is growing policy interest in scaling up smart, science- and data-led water solutions that reduce risks associated with ageing irrigation systems while delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits. Precision irrigation and agroecological approaches offer opportunities to enhance crop quality and resource efficiency, particularly in high-value sectors such as viticulture.
Objectives
CAP goals for this project aimed to support investments in physical assets that restore, preserve and enhance ecosystems by improving water management in Greece. These objectives reflect the wider set of specific company aims, which were designed to:
- Enhance vineyard productivity and grape quality through precise irrigation.
- Improve water use efficiency by adopting advanced precision agriculture technology.
- Mitigate negative climate-change impacts (drought, heatwaves) on vine health and yield.
- Conserve scarce freshwater resources via recycled wastewater and desalinated water.
- Promote sustainable agricultural practices and resilience to climate change in Santorini.
- Support the long-term economic viability and competitiveness of local viticulture enterprises.
- Reduce environmental footprint by minimising water waste and freshwater consumption.
Activities
Project activity coordinated works involved establishing a comprehensive, high-efficiency smart drip irrigation system to modernise agricultural infrastructure, resource conservation, and sustainability in rural areas. A schedule of these actions was rolled out as follows:
- A pipeline network of 5 496 meters was constructed, comprising main transfer pipelines and distribution branches connected to Santorini's water desalination plant and the municipal wastewater treatment facility for delivering recycled water.
- Four plastic storage tanks were strategically installed in key vineyard locations, ensuring stable water pressure, reducing energy consumption, and facilitating efficient gravity-based irrigation.
- Approximately 40 000 grapevines across 165.3 hectares were equipped with high-precision drip irrigation equipment (NETAFIM UNIRAM RC drip lines and NETAFIM PCI drippers). This ensured targeted and accurate water distribution directly to plant roots, minimising water waste.
- A digital, cloud-based control system was installed, including soil moisture and temperature sensors, remote-controlled automated valves, and a dedicated meteorological station. These tools allow real-time monitoring of vineyard conditions and facilitate precise management of irrigation timing and water quantities.
- A low-energy (8 HP) pumping station was established to effectively manage water pressure and enable precise fertigation practices.
- The project included training sessions for local vineyard staff to operate and maintain the advanced irrigation and digital monitoring equipment, enhancing local capacity in and knowledge of sustainable viticulture.
- Continuous data collection and analysis from sensors and meteorological stations provide ongoing assessments of vineyard water needs and irrigation efficiency, enabling adaptive management strategies.
Main results
- Eight seasonal jobs were created due to expanded vineyard activity and improved output.
- Introduction of smart drip irrigation using recycled wastewater and desalinated water cut freshwater consumption and lowered overall water use per hectare by around 30%, conserving scarce island resources.
- Precision water application reduced plant stress, improved drought resilience, and minimised water-related environmental impacts, strengthening climate adaptation in viticulture.
- More consistent irrigation enhanced vineyard performance, with projected increases in grape yield and quality supporting higher-value wine production.
- Increased productivity is expected to generate higher revenues for the winery and related local sectors, including wine tourism and supply chains.
- Around 15 individuals, including the estate agronomist and vineyard workers, received specialised training in precision irrigation and modern agricultural technologies.
- The integration of water recycling and data-led irrigation demonstrates how advanced technologies can modernise traditional farming systems, offering a replicable model for other water-scarce regions.
- Sustainable water management strengthens long-term agricultural viability, supporting local economic stability in the face of climate volatility.
- Training and new employment opportunities support young people and women in rural areas, contributing to skills renewal and greater gender balance in the agricultural workforce.
Key lessons
- Combining desalinated and recycled wastewater with precision irrigation tools creates new employment possibilities while significantly improving water efficiency, ensuring irrigation is applied only when and where needed.
- The integration of soil moisture sensors and a cloud-based control system reduced water waste, strengthened operational management, and supported healthier, more resilient grapevines.
- The approach demonstrates how climate adaptation, productivity, and environmental protection can be aligned through data-driven, resource-efficient farming.
- It provides a practical example of how traditional viticulture can modernise in response to water scarcity while maintaining economic viability.
- The model is easily transferable to other Mediterranean, island, and arid regions, with replication interest already emerging from neighbouring Aegean islands and other water-stressed areas.
The introduction of precision irrigation in our vineyards has not only improved our water efficiency but has also ensured that we are more resilient to the changing climate. This project has given us the tools to grow better-quality grapes with fewer resources, securing the future of our wine production on Santorini.