FPT Industrial, a subsidiary of the Iveco Group specializing in environmentally friendly powertrains, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sustainability as it joins hands with partner Fontanafredda for the 2023 Grape Harvest Festival within the framework of the Green Renaissance project. For the third consecutive year, FPT Industrial is set to play a leading role in the event, taking place on September 9th at the picturesque Fontanafredda wine estate in Serralunga d’Alba, nestled in Italy’s Piedmont region.
The Grape Harvest Festival promises an array of experiences, including guided tours, gourmet tastings curated by Michelin-starred chefs, open-air concerts, and the age-old tradition of grape crushing. This year, FPT Industrial’s presence at the festival will underscore its commitment to sustainability, with a focus on achieving the third Barolo grape harvest with net-zero emissions.
Building on the success of the 2021 and 2022 vintages, FPT Industrial will once again employ the New Holland TK Methane Power crawler tractor, powered by a biomethane-fueled FPT Industrial F28 Natural Gas engine, to harvest and transport the precious grapes of the Vigna La Rosa. This vineyard, renowned for producing the finest Nebbiolo da Barolo grapes, contributes to the creation of the prestigious Barolo wine, which has even earned a place in the Wine Spectator Top 100 list. Through this partnership, FPT Industrial and Fontanafredda have achieved the remarkable feat of producing the world’s first and currently only Barolo with zero CO2 emissions, with the inaugural bottles slated for release in 2025.
The New Holland TK Methane Power crawler tractor, featuring the FPT Industrial F28 Natural Gas engine, was adapted from a standard New Holland Agriculture model. It boasts 75 horsepower and a peak torque of 330 Nm, delivering performance on par with its diesel counterpart, even on the steep and slippery terrains of the Langhe wine-growing district. Crucially, the tractor’s carbon footprint is reduced to zero since the biomethane used as fuel is generated through the anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste.
FPT Industrial’s commitment to sustainability extends to the development of engines powered by alternative fuels like biomethane and hydrogen, as well as electrification. This commitment was further solidified with the opening of the ePowertrain plant in Turin in October 2022, where FPT Industrial produces e-axles, battery packs, and BMSs for commercial vehicles, buses, and minibusses, along with electric axles for the all-new, fully electric Maserati Gran Turismo Folgore.
During the Grape Harvest Festival, visitors can explore the biomethane-powered F28 Natural Gas engine at FPT Industrial’s stand and savor delectable creations by Chef Dalia Rivolta, a standout from MasterChef Italia 11. Chef Rivolta will craft sustainable finger foods inspired by Fontanafredda Barolo and FPT Industrial honey, produced at the Industrial Plant Biomonitoring Station in Turin and honored at the 15th “Ferrere Miele” Regional Honey Awards.
This collaboration initiated in February 2021, between FPT Industrial, a leading producer of eco-friendly engines, and Fontanafredda, the historic winery founded by the first King of Italy in 1858, aligns with the Green Renaissance project’s aim to promote environmentally responsible grape cultivation. Supported by the Piedmont Region’s Tobias Project and contributions from New Holland Agriculture, CNH Industrial, Torino Crea, STC, Dimsport, CNR-STEMS, and Hysytech, this partnership champions biomethane-powered traction to establish a circular production chain in specialized agriculture. Together, they are setting new standards for sustainable winemaking and environmentally responsible agriculture.
