Commitment
In a commitment to continuous improvement and the adoption of sustainable production practices—from vineyard to winery—we are part of a pioneering programme in Portugal called the Alentejo Wines Sustainability Programme (PSVA), promoted by the Alentejan Regional Viticulture Commission (CVRA).
Commitment
In a commitment to continuous improvement and the adoption of sustainable production practices—from vineyard to winery—we are part of a pioneering programme in Portugal called the Alentejo Wines Sustainability Programme (PSVA), promoted by the Alentejan Regional Viticulture Commission (CVRA).
PSVA
The PSVA has helped us evaluate and identify areas of improvement—within the areas of viticulture production and the management of the soils, water, and vine diseases and pests, energy efficiency, waste management and water conservation and quality, among others—as well as implement annual action plans.
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Best vineyard practices
DISCOVER OUR WINESThe daily work in our vineyards occurs in harmony and with maximum respect for mother nature, in the way we maintain the integrity of ecosystems and contribute towards the preservation and increase of biodiversity.
Maintaining nature’s balance is a job of constant observation and maintenance that we aim to aim to increasingly base on agricultural practices that minimize environmental impact, such as, for example:
Creating cover crops in vineyard alleys to increase the organic matter and fertility of the soil, prevent erosion and attract auxiliary insects;
Maintaining natural vegetation on borders and areas without vine plantation;
Creating windbreak barriers using trees and shrubs and applying compost/mulch at the base of the grapevines;
Managing insect and mite infestations through natural crop management practices, such as, for example, leaf removal, cover cropping, dust control and irrigation.
Best winery practices
DISCOVER OUR WINESOur commitment to improving our environmental performance also extends to our work in the winery, namely in terms of water conservation and quality, air quality, waste management and energy efficiency, among others.
To this end, as members of the PSVA we have carried out various audits to identify ways to implement best practices, such as:
Sending solid waste for reuse and recycling;
Separating and storing dangerous materials in a centralised location, far from rainwater drainage areas and water tanks;
Composting residues and lees for direct application in the vineyards;
Monitoring water use by installing flow metres in the tanks;
Cleaning vats and tubing with measured volumes of water;
Maintaining existing equipment to ensure optimal performance, including thermal insulation and adherent window film on all buildings to reduce air conditioning needs;
Using energy efficient technologies in the entire refrigeration system, such as more heat exchange surfaces, condensers equipped with flow control valves to reduce the pressure and temperature, chillers that can operate in moderate or high cooling phases, and variable speed ventilators for cooling towers;
Implementation since 2011 of a photovoltaic energy system on the cellar roof, associated with a productive measurement system.