The Alentejo Wines Sustainability Program was awarded the "More Alqueva, More Value" awards in the "+ UTILIZATION" category. The winners were announced at an event held in the auditorium of EDIA (Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company).
 
The "More Alqueva, More Value" awards are aimed at promoting, recognizing and giving visibility to companies and institutions that have initiatives that contribute to efficient use of various resources, one of which is water. These awards take into account, at the same time, the work of raising awareness of sustainable practices by these winning companies or institutions vis-à-vis other entities that are located around the Alqueva Lake.
 
The Alentejo Regional Winegrowing  Commission saw its WASP distinguished in these awards in the "+ UTILIZATION" category.

This is a category that seeks to distinguish non-business entities that promote sustainable practices in the social and environmental spheres, with emphasis on the sustainable use of water. The evaluation criteria of the initiatives passed through an evaluation of the results obtained, dissemination of the project and replicability of the same.
 
The WASP is a pioneer program in Portugal, led by the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission, with the aim of improving the practices used in vineyards and wineries, reducing costs and waste, protecting the environment and improving the well society. Started in 2014, it has 357 members representing 36% of the area of ​​vines and 63% of the wine production of the Alentejo wine region.
 
For Francisco Mateus, President of CVRA, "it is with great pride and satisfaction that we have been witnessing the results achieved through the implementation of the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program. At the same time, we know that these acknowledgments have happened because of all the dedication and effort that the João Barroso, responsible for the WASP, has had to with this project. It remains for us to continue the work that we have so far developed so far to motivate and encourage more producers to join this project. "

The WASP, through the suggestion of good practices has already contributed to reduce energy consumption by 30% in several producers and reduced water consumption in winemaking activities by around 20%. It contributed to increased recycling rates and promotes circular economy with 38% of members converting their organic waste into compost for application as fertilizer in the fields. 43% of the members have irrigation management plans, which allows them to use much more efficient water, and 62% of the members monitor water consumption. At the level of employees, 33% of the members have already created a group dedicated to sustainability in their companies.