The guidelines that have been followed in the “Maçã de Alcobaça” sector are the result of the convictions that technicians and producers have acquired during international technical visits to the main competing areas. In the absence of a coherent model, the aim is to gather specific knowledge about apple growing in the PGI region, which is intended to be based on a strong technological and scientific foundation, in order to produce a matrix of procedures and guidelines leading to the generalisation of a more professional orchard model, particularly with regard to optimum planting densities and pruning techniques that are more suited to the new planting models, to regularise yields and maximise the organoleptic characteristics and richness in phytochemicals of Alcobaça apples, which are fundamental to the creation of the “Premium” range, awaiting the definition of the production technology that will give rise to it for subsequent production and market introduction (see protocol with partner entity attached to the forms). The aim of this project is to innovate the product and the process, clarifying the guidelines to be followed by the sector through a production model that takes advantage of the PGI’s soil and climate characteristics, which are different from other regions from which current production models have been imported, and which, with a differentiating production technology, will make it possible to create the “Premium” range of Alcobaça apples, aimed at different market segments, namely exports and domestic customers with a preference for “Top” ranges. By collecting data on photosynthesis, interception and distribution of radiation within the vegetation cover, as well as other physiological parameters, it will be possible to understand which planting density and type of pruning is best suited to maximising the performance of apple trees grown on a covered central axis and produced in the “Maçã de Alcobaça” PGI, preparing them for internationalisation with a product of superior quality.