Wädenswil, site of a viticultural research station on Lake Zurich in German-speaking switzerland. It was founded in 1890 in response to the viticultural catastrophes of fungal diseases and phylloxera. sustainable viticulture, in which pests and diseases are controlled by biological or biotechnological methods, has developed in this environment.
Today Wädenswil is concerned with research, development, testing, control, and extension services in viticulture and wine microbiology. The station has developed a number of yeast strains for the repair of stuck fermentations and some grapevine clones, notably of pinot noir, which have been planted as far away as Oregon, California, New Zealand, and South Africa. A number of plant protection methods have been developed, such as the introduction of predators and pheromones for trapping and confusing insects.
