The Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INAVI) of Uruguay was set up in 1987 under Law No. 15,903 as a non-state public body. Based in Las Piedras, Canelones, INAVI is the main authority for wine policies in Uruguay, a country that is known for its Tannat wines with bold dark fruit flavours (usually with a bit of French oak aging). The organization has an eight-member board with three people from the government and five from the wine industry. This mix helps make sure all viewpoints are considered when making decisions about the wine sector.
Goals of INAVI
INAVI focuses on several key aims:
These goals align with the demands of today's global market: environmental care, safe food, and worker safety. By emphasizing sustainability and quality, INAVI aims to elevate the recognition of Uruguayan wines on the world stage.
Strategies to Achieve Goals
INAVI uses several approaches to meet its goals:
- Supporting Sustainable Grape Growing: INAVI backs the Sustainable Viticulture Program, which promotes earth-friendly practices and certifies vineyard plantings that meet green standards. Thanks to this work, many of the vineyards of the Uruguayan wine scene now have sustainability certificates.
- Research and Development: INAVI works with other groups to create guidelines for growing wine grapes. These rules follow international standards for protecting the environment and ensuring food safety, keeping Uruguay's wine industry up to date with best practices.
- International Promotion: INAVI showcases Uruguayan wines globally by participating in events such as Vinitech-Sifel, fostering international connections and highlighting the excellence of these wines.
Services Offered to Wine Producers
INAVI helps wine producers in several ways:
- Regulatory Guidance: The organization makes sure producers follow quality and safety rules, keeping the standards of Uruguay's wine production high.
- Promotion and Education: INAVI promotes Uruguayan wines internationally and runs training programs in each of the Uruguayan wine regions to build knowledge in the industry. It also supports wine tourism to attract visitors who are interested in South American wine and fine wines from Uruguay.
- Laboratory Testing: INAVI runs a modern lab that tests wine samples and provides export certificates, making sure wines meet international standards.
- Digital Tools and Support: To make things easier for producers, INAVI created the RUVA portal, which cuts down on paperwork and makes administrative tasks simpler and more accessible. This allows wine producers to focus more on producing high-quality wine.
