The Portuguese company Symington Family Estates has been awarded the new government-led sustainability certification. As Symington tweeted on June 20th, "We are very proud to announce that we have become the first wine producer in Portugal to be granted the 'Sustainable Winegrowing Certification.'
The new certification, issued by the Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (IVV) and the promotional association ViniPortugal, aims to create a structured, independent, national, and business-oriented recognized certification. The certificate covers 86 areas and is divided into four fields: management and continuous improvement, environment, social, and economics. It encompasses the holistic supply of the wine industry, including distillers, bottlers, grape producers, and wineries.
High standards
Details of the process can be found on the website of ViniPortugal. The new certification confirms the producer's own efforts set in their "Mission 2025," which includes measurable goals to utilize renewable energy, reduce CO₂ emissions, regenerate forests, change packaging, and strengthen the local community. This is further supported by their silver membership in the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) and their B-Corp certification. PD