PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The wine sector represents around 0.3% of the global annual carbon footprint of human activities, with each bottle of wine producing around 2 kg of CO2-eq. depending on technological, geographical and viticulture conditions. Viticulture (especially fertilisation) and packaging (especially glass bottles) are the largest contributors to carbon footprint. The wine sector also impacts significantly on water quality and quantity. In addition, biocides and fertilisers negatively impact soil and water ecosystems. The EU is the world’s leading producer and exporter of wine. It represents 20% of total agricultural employment in the EU, though it is overwhelmingly composed of small producers. In the last 30 years, the Priorat region (Spain) has developed an internationally-renowned model for producing high-quality wines. This model is grounded in the economic development and sustainable management of a unique agriculture landscape. The Priorat wine sector is formed by 170 wineries that are facing major challenges, such as the impact of climate change on the quantity and quality of the wine produced, and increased market competition from third countries. Grape growers and winemakers in the region need more than ever to improve efficiency, while at the same time preserving the quality of soil, water sources and biodiversity.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE PRIORAT+MONTSANT project aimed to develop and demonstrate a model of sustainable wine production that is replicable in other EU wine-producing regions, along with a set of methodologies for efficient resource use. The project aimed to determine the environmental footprint of wine production and focus on its key aspects, such as the use of fertilisers and pesticides, water scarcity, energy consumption and packaging. The project’s innovative model will integrate sustainability actions in all of these areas. This addresses the need for a harmonised EU methodology for the green performance of wineries.
RESULTS
The LIFE PRIORAT+MONTSANT project developed and demonstrated a model of sustainable wine production, with the participation of a total of 74 wineries and 31 winegrowers from the Designation of Origin (DO) Montsant and the Qualified Designation of Origin (DOQ) Priorat. The project actions and results contributed significantly to a wider strategy to promote the overall environmental and economic sustainability of the Priorat region in Spain.
The project succeeded in testing and validating a series of best practices for grape-growing. During 3 field campaigns (2017, 2018 and 2019), weekly irrigation recommendations were provided and applied over 240 ha of vineyards. As a result, a reduction in water consumption of between 22% and 29% was achieved in the areas where the recommendations were strictly followed.
Different products were assessed for pest and disease control. Powdery and downy mildew were controlled using natural products, and only low doses of copper and sulphur. A mating disruption technique using pheromones was applied to control vine moth (Lobesia botrana) on 568 ha of DO Montsant vineyards and 966 ha of DOQ Priorat. This was highly successful and largely replaced the use of pesticides: a reduction of approximately 1 500 insecticide doses was achieved during the project (equivalent to about 112 kg of pesticide per year).
The project team achieved a 100% reduction in the use of synthetic chemical fertilisers in the targeted estates on an area of 406 ha of vineyards through the use of organic fertilisation. A total of 76 micro-vinifications (of 50 litres) were carried out, that confirmed the adequate wine quality when applying the project practices and recommendations. These actions therefore demonstrated to growers that alternative options exist for pest and disease control, and fertilisation, under local conditions.
In terms of winemaking, 19 wineries provided comprehensive data for the period 2014-2016, which enabled the project team to undertake a robust characterisation of the environmental performance of wineries and to define a set of best practices. A selection of 24 energy saving measures and 18 water saving measures were proposed to the wineries. These wineries saved on average 8 220 kWh/year during the project (a reduced consumption of 42.5%, on average). A report of best winemaking practices was produced and is freely available.
A Life Cycle Assessment methodology was applied to quantify the environmental impacts and the average environmental footprint was calculated using the European Product Environmental Footprint methodology applied to 27 vineyards and 19 wineries.
The project team created an Environmental Footprint Calculator and made it available to all wineries for free via the project website. Wineries could therefore calculate their own footprint, and define where the most relevant improvements can be made.
The
application of the best practices proposed by the project could potentially
lead to a reduction of the environmental impacts studied by around 35% in the
DO Priorat and by 37-44% in the DO Montsant. The potential cost savings
associated to the application of these practices were also calculated. If the
best practices defined for wineries were applied in all the Priorat wineries,
when comparing with 2014-2016 values, the potential estimated savings could
reach €30 000/year in Montsant wineries and €7 000/year in Priorat wineries.
Furthermore, potential exists for the promotion of sustainable wine tourism
(enotourism).
Actually, an important outcome of the project is the Action Plan for Sustainable Tourism for the Priorat region. In addition to being a reference document for local and regional entities for progressing towards environmental and social sustainability, it will guide the wineries and the wine tourism sector in general to get the certification under the European Charter of Sustainable Tourism (issued by Europarc).
Most of the winegrowers and wineries involved will continue applying the successful practices after the project. In addition, the project enabled an important gain in knowledge and know-how regarding material, energy and water consumption, and the main pests and diseases of the region and the efficient organic techniques to reduce their impact.
The demonstration value was a key successful aspect of the project. It also worth highlighting the fact that two Designations of Origin (DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant) worked together for the first time, paving the way for future projects aimed at extending the uptake of the project practices to the entire Priorat region and possibly to other regions.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
