From tradition to regeneration: sustainability Practices in Douro terroir wines

Abstract

This paper analyses how terroir-driven wine producers in Portugal’s Douro Valley address current and emerging sustainability challenges while preserving cultural authenticity and the unique identity of their wines. Moving beyond conventional sustainability frameworks centred on impact mitigation, the study applies the concept of regenerative leadership – a proactive approach that seeks to restore and enhance ecological systems, cultural heritage, and community relationships. Based on a multiple-case study of six wineries across the three Douro sub-regions namely Douro Superior (DS), Baixo Corgo (BC) e Cima Corgo (CC), the present research identifies key practices within five strategic dimensions: ecological, cultural/heritage, social/community, economic, and symbolic/terroir. These include soil regeneration, low-intervention winemaking, conservation of terroir and old vineyards, community engagement, and heritage valorisation. Findings reveal that regenerative leadership fosters a deliberate balance between tradition and innovation, positioning Douro wine producers as both custodians of heritage and agents of ecological and cultural renewal. By documenting diverse practices and strategies, this study contributes to the academic discourse on the sustainability transition of terroir-driven wines, offering insights into adaptive and regenerative approaches that strengthen the sustainability and resilience of historic wine regions.

References

Martins, J. A., Marta-Costa, A., Lucas, M. R., & Santos, M. (2024). Sustainability in mountain viticulture: Insights from a case study in the Portuguese Douro Region. Sustainability, 16(5), 2050. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052050

Marques, C., Dinis, L. T., Modesti, M., Bellincontro, A., Correia, E., & Vilela, A. (2024). Exploring the influence of terroir on Douro white and red wines characteristics: A study of human perception and electronic analysis. European Food Research and Technology, 250, 3011-3027. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-024-04607-8

Thiollet-Scholtus, M., Gaudin, A. C. M., & Vanden Heuvel, J. (2025). Barriers and opportunities to increase soil organic carbon in vineyards: A case study of extension personnel in France and in the United States. OENO One, 59(2). https://doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2025.59.2.9301

Jezierska-Thöle, A., Gonia, A., Podgórski, Z., & Gwiaździńska-Goraj, M. (2025). Wine tourism as a tool for sustainable development of the cultural landscape — A case study of Douro Wine Region in Portugal. Sustainability, 17(4), 1494. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041494

Correia, S., Guerra, C., Manso, J., Fontes, N., & Graça, A. (2023). Integrative approach for sustainable viticulture in Portugal’s Douro Valley: The NOVATERRA approach in mountain viticulture. BIO Web of Conferences, 68, 01033. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20236801033

Acknowledgments

Authors were also financially supported by CoLAB VINES&WINES (Funding Program RE-C05-i02 – Missão Interface Nº 01/C05-i02/2022).