From grapes to market: a systematic review of optimization model applications for supporting decision-making in the wine supply chain

The wine industry faces growing challenges across its supply chain due to operational complexity, international competition, and rising sustainability demands. This study presents a systematic review conducted following PRISMA guidelines, analyzing 90 articles published between 1970 and 2024 on optimization models applied to the wine supply chain. We examine mathematical formulations, solution methods, decision levels (operational, tactical, strategic), and supply chain stage coverage. Results show that 87% of studies use deterministic models—predominantly mixed-integer linear programming—while only 13% incorporate uncertainty. Research focuses mainly on early stages: grape cultivation and harvest (33%) and wine production (38%), with limited attention to bottling (10%) and distribution (7%). Only 12% integrate multiple stages. The identified underexplored areas highlight opportunities to improve climate adaptation for vineyard managers, enable more integrated planning for supply chain managers, and better align sustainability goals for policymakers. By synthesizing these trends and identifying seven strategic research priorities aligned with the International Organization of Vine and Wine guidelines, this review provides actionable insights to strengthen sector resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.