In order to ensure even more sustainable wine production practices, ANP|WWF joins the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA) to present improvements in various environmental criteria of the
Sustainability of Alentejo Wines (PSVA).

Lisbon, April 26, 2023 - ANP|WWF and Vinhos do Alentejo sign a collaboration protocol with a view to improving viticultural practices already put into practice in the region via the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme, through a more responsible use of resources natural resources necessary for the cultivation of vines, making these productive systems more
resilient and adapted to natural conditions. At the same time, joint work will also be carried out with the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA) through training actions with a view to the practice of ecological restoration.

For Ângela Morgado, Executive Director of ANPlWWF “This is a unique project in Portugal and shows that producers are committed to improving their environmental practices, benefiting not only their region and its people, but also the country itself, highlighting it from the other initiatives and achieving a very important differentiation factor for the international recognition of Alentejo wines.”

“The Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program was created in 2015 and, therefore, we thought it was time to review the contents in order to improve, add, adapt and make the system even more inclusive. When we looked at improving criteria in the area of biology, ecology and nature conservation, we immediately thought of challenging the ANPlWWF to bring all its experience and knowledge and increase the level of demand and credibility that has guided PSVA since the beginning.

Year after year, we have been perfecting processes and, in addition to the notorious environmental benefits, we guarantee our
producers considerable economic advantages”, advances João Barroso, PSVA coordinator.

The official also explains that “with this partnership we intend to continue to be an example for other national wine regions and, of course, to further increase the preponderance of Alentejo wines across borders”. ANP|WWF and Vinhos do Alentejo recognized the importance of working together on a project that contributes to increasing the ambition of several of the PSVA's environmental criteria.

By raising this ambition, the approximately 650 participating winegrowers have the opportunity to progress even further in their sustainability goals, simultaneously obtaining greater recognition in the national and international market. This initiative will involve regional producers, with a view to improving their environmental practices without compromising the quality and profitability of their production.

The review of environmental criteria will be carried out in areas such as biodiversity, pesticides, climate and water. With the improvement of agricultural practices, the ANP|WWF wants to contribute to enhancing the sustainable practices already put into practice in the 13,316 hectares of vineyards, which represent 58% of the total area of vineyards in Alentejo. This project will also contribute to deepening the CVRA's knowledge in ecological restoration techniques, which, in turn, will allow farmers to be trained to more effectively promote biodiversity.

It should be remembered that the PSVA places the Alentejo region as a pioneer in the implementation of sustainable agriculture measures and that, in 2020, it launched the only sustainable production certification seal in Portugal. Currently, the PSVA already has around 650 members and 13 certified producers.