Chilean wine industry certifies first 14 wineries under Wines of Chile’s Sustainability Code(1)
Landmark Code constitutes one of the key pillars towards chieving goals set in Wines of Chile’s 2020 Strategic Plan.
Santiago, January 2012. “As we have established in the 2020 Strategic Plan, we are committed to become the number one producer of premium, sustainable and diverse wines from the New World by 2020. To achieve this goal it is imperative to create
innovation that boosts our competitiveness. The development and implementation of Wines of Chile’s state-of-the-art Sustainability Code is a key pillar to achieve this objective”.
With these words, René Araneda, President of Wines of Chile, opened the ceremony that made official the Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile seal, Chile’s first sustainability certification.
Following the launching of the Sustainability Code in early 2011,the first fourteen wineries received this recognition after a rigorous assessment and inspection process. Wineries were certified on the Green Chapter of the Code, which relates to vineyard management processes and standards. The Red Chapter (winery) and Orange Chapter (Social Responsibility) will be certified during 2012.
This first certification reflects the long-term committment towards environmentally friendly practices in the vineyard, with the aim to sustainably protect and manage natural resources. The methodology is based on a constant improvement of processes and ever-higher standards to be met. All these elements are greatly valued in markets that have gradually -but decisively- moved towards sustainably produced products.
From now on, Anakena, Arboleda, Caliterra, Casa Silva, Cremaschi Furlotti, Emiliana, Errázuriz, Montes, MontGras, Santa Cruz, Santa Ema, Santa Rita, Ventisquero and Vía Wines are entitled to use the “Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile” seal in their
labels, bottles and promotional materials, being able to effectively communicate their commitment and work towards sustainable practices.
The performance of the certified wineries was outstanding. Despite of the high standards the Code sets, the approval average was 83%, which confirms that these vineyards had long been using rigorous vineyard management practices. The fourteen wineries represent 13% of Chile’s total vineyard surface, equivalent to 14,757 hectares, between the Regions of Valparaiso, O’Higgins, Maule, Bio-Bio, Araucanía, Los Lagos and Los Ríos, a promising first step, considering that an additional 24 wineries have already applied to be certified.
Chile’s Government, through the Minister of the Environment and the Under Secretary of Agriculture present at the launching, highlighted that the Chilean wine industry is an example to other sectors on how industries should work together to facilitate and encourage a responsible and sustainable development.
Juan Somavía, Managing Director of Wines of Chile, expressed that this Certification will help us to better communicate to our buyers and consumers around the world the commitment of Chile’s wine industry towards a sustainable development that fully
integrates sustainable practices, corporate social responsibility and economic viability.
