Sustainability
We face urgent environmental challenges that shape the future of a healthy life for all of us on Earth. As a family company, our vision is long-term.
Quoting Diogo Teixeira Coelho, ‘a decade needs to pass on agricultural investments to evaluate the results.’
The urgency of the environmental crisis requires us to approach current challenges with the same creativity and pioneering spirit demonstrated by previous generations. We recognize that our ability to produce wine for many years depends on a stable climate, healthy ecosystems, and people who adhere to the principles of integrity, ethics, and responsibility.
Quinta da Raza relies on the responsibility and resilience of our team, suppliers, partners, and local communities to develop our company in a way that promotes positive social change, a more inclusive society, and a healthier environment.
At Quinta da Raza, tradition goes hand in hand with innovation and sustainability. We focus on the native grape varieties of our region, also selecting native grapes kept almost exclusively in ampelographic collections to bring them back to life.
Quinta da Raza is the first estate in the Vinho Verde Region to be certified with the National Sustainability Standard for the Wine Sector from ViniPortugal. The journey to get here was challenging but always stimulating and, in any case, unfinished, aware that this is a process of continuous improvement and constant learning.
OUR COMMITMENTS
Quinta da Raza’s sustainability program is based on three main commitments:
Environmental Commitment
Promoting a healthier environment, protecting local biodiversity and ecosystems, and investing intelligently to reduce our environmental footprint.
Social Commitment
Supporting the local community, promoting a more inclusive society, and creating a professional and social environment that allows our employees to lead happier and responsible lives.
Economic Commitment
Growing our company's business with respect for the limits of sustainable wine production, where profits and growth fuel positive change and impact the lives of our employees, the community, and the environment.
OUR OBJECTIVES
We have a focused and comprehensive sustainability strategy with objectives that will contribute to the economic, social, and environmental affirmation of the Basto region.
We are working on a series of ambitious sustainability goals for the next three years. Goals that aim to address the climate and environmental crisis, as well as strengthen ties with our local community.
Produce 50% of the energy we consume through our photovoltaic panels.
Reduce water consumption in the winery by 10% per liter of bottled wine.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% per liter of bottled wine.
Climate Change Adaptation
Install an ampelographic field with an area of 4000 m2, featuring minor grape varieties
Local Communities
Promote a more inclusive society; intensify activities within the Saud’Arte project and establish new partnerships with local non-profit associations.
SOCIAL
Promoting a healthy business environment where happiness is based on responsibility, ethics and respect for others and the environment.
WHAT WE ALREADY DO
Vineyards
- All vineyards at Quinta da Raza are certified with Integrated Production;
Biodiversity
- We preserve our forest mosaics consisting of centuries-old oaks and umbrella pines;
- We promote the stabilization of vineyard slopes with spontaneous vegetation, planting of sub-shrubs, shrubs, and trees, avoiding erosion and fostering biodiversity through plants with nectariferous capacity, providing food and shelter for avifauna; Avoiding erosion and fostering biodiversity through plants with nectariferous capacity, providing food and shelter for avifauna;
- We preserve soil conservation in vineyard plots by opting for non-mobilization and the development of natural or seeded cover crops
Energy
- Since 2021, we have installed several sets of photovoltaic panels in the winery and vineyard;
- In the winery and warehouse, we replaced standard bulbs with an LED lighting system.
Water
- All our water sources have a user license, and we record the consumed flow rates;
- Our irrigated vineyards are equipped with a drip irrigation system supported by probes and a weather station;
- In the winery, water outlets are equipped with water guns, and messages promoting water efficiency are constant.
Circular Economy and Waste Management
- We developed a premium wine shipping box with a "second life," meaning its interior includes Roman Board Games that can be enjoyed among friends and family.
- Waste from the winery and vineyard (plastic, paper, and metal) is properly sorted at our facilities and sent to recycling centers.
- We operate a wastewater treatment plant, ensuring that the water leaving the winery is clean and ready to return to the natural cycle;
- Fermentation by-products are valorized. Stems are used for composting, and pomace is sent to distillation centers.
Social Scope and Local Communities
- Quinta da Raza offers non-salary benefits that enhance the health and well-being of our employees.
- Support for the community and local institutions through our volunteer program and donations;
- Implementation of the SAUD'ARTE Project - an innovative social project aimed at providing the local community with a better quality of life, health, and well-being through Art Therapy;
- Partnerships with suppliers, distributors, and importers who share our sustainability values.
Economic Scope and Responsible Management
- Certification of Quinta da Raza with the National Sustainability Standard for the Wine Sector;
- Company certification with the Quality Management System according to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015;
- Quinta da Raza has an Ethics Code presented to all employees;
- We participate in local development decisions, being members of PROBASTO and Casa do Agricultor;
- We maintain a long-term investment plan in vineyards and processing facilities.
