Sustainability in the winery sector: A European study

Abstract

This paper investigates sustainability in European wineries. The growing body of literature on the subject of sustainability underlines the increasing attention on the environmental and social impacts of intensive and irresponsible wine production. The consumer demand for biological and sustainable wine, as well as the increasing number of sustainable programs and certifications, have driven the need for greater transparency for managing sustainable wine production. This study has utilised a qualitative field method which involved more than 40 in-depth interviews over a 5-year data collection period with wine businesses across Europe. In addition, internal documents and protocols on sustainability certification have been embedded in the hermeneutic unit. This article presents the main sustainability practices in European wineries, considering environmental, social, and governance dimensions. Results show a very large range of practices that have been developed in different business areas, such as a vineyard, canteen, and supply chain. Topics, including biodiversity, local partnership, water consumption, working conditions of seasonal workers, supplier selection, and fertiliser use, are just a few of the themes that have been identified.