Making wine sustainably in La Rioja
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Words by Laura Field
A
dmiring the flavours and textures of a glass of full-bodied Rioja wine is a cherished pastime for many of us. But rarely do we stop to think about where and how the grapes that went into that wine were cultivated, nor how the process of bottling it might have contributed to sustainable rural development, boosting a regional economy.
It’s thought that vines were first introduced to La Rioja by the Phoenicians around 600 BC. So viticulture has been practised in this fertile region of northern Spain for perhaps two and a half millennia. Today, wineries in La Rioja are prioritising sustainable winemaking that reduces waste, enhances biodiversity and creates economic opportunities for local communities.
Bodegas Beronia
Focusing on sustainability from the ground up, this winery near Ollauri in the heart of La Rioja Alta was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Partially underground, it uses geothermal energy, has a plant-covered roof, ensures efficient waste management and uses rainwater in its production process.
Indeed, it was the first winery in Europe to gain LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design) V4 certification for its building. The winery is open for tours and tastings from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.
La Rioja Alta S.A.
This group of sites in northern Spain, named after its flagship winery in Haro, is dedicated to sustainable practices. It’s allocated 16 hectares of vineyards to organic viticulture, and installed shelters for ‘allied microfauna’ such as insects and arachnids that contribute to the longevity of the vines while boosting biodiversity.
Energy produced by the company’s solar farm in Álava has reduced CO2 emissions by over 41 tonnes annually. Visit the historic La Rioja Alta, S.A. winery in Haro, La Rioja, to sample the delectable results. Tours in English run at 10.15am Monday to Friday.
Campo Viejo
Set on an elevated plateau above the Ebro Valley, just outside Logroño, the Campo Viejo winery is a state-of-the-art facility built in 2001 to ensure sustainable production. Its multi-level structure allows for gravity-powered movement of wine, thus limiting energy consumption, and social areas are heated using geothermal energy.
Bottles for Campo Viejo Ecológico Rioja, a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha varietals, are made with 75% recycled glass and labelled with FSC certified recycled paper. Campo Viejo was also the first Spanish winery to be certified carbon neutral. Choose from a range of visitor experiences, from an aroma workshop to a cellar tour.
Bodegas Faustino
This winery near the small town of Oyón-Oion belongs to the Familia Martínez Zabala company, owned by sisters Carmen and Lourdes Martínez Zabala. It was one of the first in the region to be awarded Sustainable Wineries for Climate Protection certification, recognising its holistic approach to sustainable viticulture. This involves the elimination of chemical pesticides in favour of biological controls for vineyard diseases, and adapting the grape varieties selected to grow in a habitat that’s precisely suited to their specific characteristics.
Find out more at the new Legacy of Bodegas Faustino visitor centre – designed by Foster+Partners, and consuming only 20% of the energy it generates – and join a tour to learn about the fusion of viticulture, sustainability and nature in La Rioja.
Glossary
Sustainability
The quality of being able to continue over a period of time, or the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance (Camrbdige Dictionary).
Biodiversity
Responsible Tourism
Rewilding
Zero-kilometre Food
Green
Making wine sustainably in La Rioja
Scroll down to learn more
Words by Laura Field
A
dmiring the flavours and textures of a glass of full-bodied Rioja wine is a cherished pastime for many of us. But rarely do we stop to think about where and how the grapes that went into that wine were cultivated, nor how the process of bottling it might have contributed to sustainable rural development, boosting a regional economy.
It’s thought that vines were first introduced to La Rioja by the Phoenicians around 600 BC. So viticulture has been practised in this fertile region of northern Spain for perhaps two and a half millennia. Today, wineries in La Rioja are prioritising sustainable winemaking that reduces waste, enhances biodiversity and creates economic opportunities for local communities.
Bodegas Beronia
Focusing on sustainability from the ground up, this winery near Ollauri in the heart of La Rioja Alta was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Partially underground, it uses geothermal energy, has a plant-covered roof, ensures efficient waste management and uses rainwater in its production process.
Indeed, it was the first winery in Europe to gain LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design) V4 certification for its building. The winery is open for tours and tastings from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.
La Rioja Alta S.A.
This group of sites in northern Spain, named after its flagship winery in Haro, is dedicated to sustainable practices. It’s allocated 16 hectares of vineyards to organic viticulture, and installed shelters for ‘allied microfauna’ such as insects and arachnids that contribute to the longevity of the vines while boosting biodiversity.
Energy produced by the company’s solar farm in Álava has reduced CO2 emissions by over 41 tonnes annually. Visit the historic La Rioja Alta, S.A. winery in Haro, La Rioja, to sample the delectable results. Tours in English run at 10.15am Monday to Friday.
Campo Viejo
Set on an elevated plateau above the Ebro Valley, just outside Logroño, the Campo Viejo winery is a state-of-the-art facility built in 2001 to ensure sustainable production. Its multi-level structure allows for gravity-powered movement of wine, thus limiting energy consumption, and social areas are heated using geothermal energy.
Bottles for Campo Viejo Ecológico Rioja, a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha varietals, are made with 75% recycled glass and labelled with FSC certified recycled paper. Campo Viejo was also the first Spanish winery to be certified carbon neutral. Choose from a range of visitor experiences, from an aroma workshop to a cellar tour.
Bodegas Faustino
This winery near the small town of Oyón-Oion belongs to the Familia Martínez Zabala company, owned by sisters Carmen and Lourdes Martínez Zabala. It was one of the first in the region to be awarded Sustainable Wineries for Climate Protection certification, recognising its holistic approach to sustainable viticulture. This involves the elimination of chemical pesticides in favour of biological controls for vineyard diseases, and adapting the grape varieties selected to grow in a habitat that’s precisely suited to their specific characteristics.
Find out more at the new Legacy of Bodegas Faustino visitor centre – designed by Foster+Partners, and consuming only 20% of the energy it generates – and join a tour to learn about the fusion of viticulture, sustainability and nature in La Rioja.
Glossary
Sustainability
The quality of being able to continue over a period of time, or the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance (Camrbdige Dictionary).
Biodiversity
Responsible Tourism
Rewilding
Zero-kilometre Food
Green
Making wine sustainably in La Rioja
Scroll down to learn more
Words by Laura Field
A
dmiring the flavours and textures of a glass of full-bodied Rioja wine is a cherished pastime for many of us. But rarely do we stop to think about where and how the grapes that went into that wine were cultivated, nor how the process of bottling it might have contributed to sustainable rural development, boosting a regional economy.
It’s thought that vines were first introduced to La Rioja by the Phoenicians around 600 BC. So viticulture has been practised in this fertile region of northern Spain for perhaps two and a half millennia. Today, wineries in La Rioja are prioritising sustainable winemaking that reduces waste, enhances biodiversity and creates economic opportunities for local communities.
Bodegas Beronia
Focusing on sustainability from the ground up, this winery near Ollauri in the heart of La Rioja Alta was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Partially underground, it uses geothermal energy, has a plant-covered roof, ensures efficient waste management and uses rainwater in its production process.
Indeed, it was the first winery in Europe to gain LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design) V4 certification for its building. The winery is open for tours and tastings from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.
La Rioja Alta S.A.
This group of sites in northern Spain, named after its flagship winery in Haro, is dedicated to sustainable practices. It’s allocated 16 hectares of vineyards to organic viticulture, and installed shelters for ‘allied microfauna’ such as insects and arachnids that contribute to the longevity of the vines while boosting biodiversity.
Energy produced by the company’s solar farm in Álava has reduced CO2 emissions by over 41 tonnes annually. Visit the historic La Rioja Alta, S.A. winery in Haro, La Rioja, to sample the delectable results. Tours in English run at 10.15am Monday to Friday.
Campo Viejo
Set on an elevated plateau above the Ebro Valley, just outside Logroño, the Campo Viejo winery is a state-of-the-art facility built in 2001 to ensure sustainable production. Its multi-level structure allows for gravity-powered movement of wine, thus limiting energy consumption, and social areas are heated using geothermal energy.
Bottles for Campo Viejo Ecológico Rioja, a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha varietals, are made with 75% recycled glass and labelled with FSC certified recycled paper. Campo Viejo was also the first Spanish winery to be certified carbon neutral. Choose from a range of visitor experiences, from an aroma workshop to a cellar tour.
Bodegas Faustino
This winery near the small town of Oyón-Oion belongs to the Familia Martínez Zabala company, owned by sisters Carmen and Lourdes Martínez Zabala. It was one of the first in the region to be awarded Sustainable Wineries for Climate Protection certification, recognising its holistic approach to sustainable viticulture. This involves the elimination of chemical pesticides in favour of biological controls for vineyard diseases, and adapting the grape varieties selected to grow in a habitat that’s precisely suited to their specific characteristics.
Find out more at the new Legacy of Bodegas Faustino visitor centre – designed by Foster+Partners, and consuming only 20% of the energy it generates – and join a tour to learn about the fusion of viticulture, sustainability and nature in La Rioja.
Glossary
Sustainability
The quality of being able to continue over a period of time, or the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance (Camrbdige Dictionary).
