Productive models of the wine protected designations of origin in Spain

The number of wine Protected Designations of Origin has grown a lot in Spain after joining the European Union. Our objective is to identify different production models, depending on how production factors are combined. From the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture, a database has been constructed with the most significant structural variables of each designation: area of vineyard, vine growers and registered wineries; the time series embraces the agricultural campaigns of 21st century. Combinations of production factors are expressed by two indicators obtained from these variables: the quotient between area and vine growers (average size of the vineyard) and the ratio of vine growers and wineries (chateau-cooperative polarity). On the basis of both indicators designations have been classified through a cluster analysis. Main findings are: first, the existence of large differences in size among denominations has been contrasted and evaluated; secondly, five different production models have been identified. From the observed diversity, it is concluded that Protected Designation of Origin is a legal entity that overcomes very different realities, which can raise problems of governance within the wine sector.