It is already possible to find wine bottles on the market bearing the seal of sustainable production, a certification unprecedented in Portugal. With the signature of the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission (CVRA), this distinction recognizes producers in the region who comply with the 171 requirements established by the Wines of Alentejo  Sustainability Program (WASP).

The sustainable production seal can, for now, be found on wine bottles from Herdade dos Grous and Herdade de Coelheiros, which now make available to the Portuguese and other strategic markets bottles with the labels updated with the new certification.

This distinction will allow consumers to identify producers in Alentejo who comply with good practices in saving resources, promoting biodiversity, using renewable energy, protecting the soil or promoting initiatives that involve the entire community in adopting sustainable behaviors. The certification is a transversal guarantee that the Alentejo rethinks the procedures implemented in the fields and wineries, seeking to promote and implement new practices that are environmentally, socially and economically more sustainable.

“This is a historic step for the Portuguese wine sector, which illustrates a marked change in the way of thinking about sustainable production in Portugal. From now on, consumers will be able to easily identify the Alentejo producers who, over the past few years, have followed a path that allowed for changes in practices, continuing to
providing excellent wines and always respecting the ecosystem”, guarantees Francisco Mateus, president of CVRA.

It should be remembered that the certification is granted by four different certifying bodies, namely Bureau Veritas, Certis, Kiwa Sativa and SGS and that this year it is estimated that more producers will acquire this recognition.

WASP, a pioneering initiative under which sustainable production certification was created, already has 448 associated members, representing more than 42% of the Alentejo vineyard area, and are responsible for the production of more than 76 million liters of wine with the Denomination of Origin (DO) and Geographical Indication (GI).