Diversifying GI systems through spatial bricolage: An empirical investigation of Italian wine farms

Abstract

Geographical Indications (GIs) are crucial instruments for anchoring food quality to local territories. However, GI supply chains face growing environmental, market, and structural uncertainties, making the "reproduction" phase of the GI virtuous circle essential for long-term sustainability. This study investigates how GI wine farms in Italy implement extended territorial strategies through farm diversification and innovation, interpreted through the conceptual lens of spatial bricolage. Drawing on microdata from 11,720 GI wine holdings from the 7th Italian General Census of Agriculture, we deploy a multivariate statistical framework combining Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (CA). Our findings identify three distinct farm typologies: (1) Traditionally Diversified, Non-Innovative Farms (46.8%), characterized by small scale, older managers, low digital adoption, and reliance on single-activity diversification; (2) Highly Innovative and Digitally Advanced Farms with Portfolio Strategies (17.0%), representing large farms with complex diversification portfolios; and (3) Diversified, Selectively Innovative and Moderately Digitalized Farms (36.2%), exhibiting pragmatic, incremental innovation and off-farm service provision. The results reveal heterogeneous configurations of farm diversification and innovation within GI systems, which can be interpreted as consistent with different forms of spatial bricolage. Accordingly, policy support may need to move beyond uniform measures and recognise differentiated structural, diversification, and innovation profiles when supporting the reproduction of GI wine systems.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Journal of Rural Studies, 2026 · DOI ↗