The Navarre winery Pagos de Araizbelonging to the prestigious Masaveu Bodegas wine group, has recently obtained the Wineries For Climate Protection (WFCP) seal, which certifies that it is an environmentally sustainable winery, being one of the fifty wineries in Spain with this certification.
This certificate clearly and solidly reflects the winery’s commitment to the environment, it marks a difference and awards a competitive advantage which through continuous improvement enables wineries to increase production processes.
The WFCP certificate evaluates the wineries commitment to sustainability and how they fight against climate change, based on four main pillars of activity: the reduction of their carbon footprint, energy efficiency, water management and residue reduction.
The movement “Wineries for Climate Protection” came about in 2011 due to the new climate reality and its effect on the vineyard, however it was in 2015 when it turned into a project backed by the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV). Wineries for Climate Protection is the first and only specific certification in the wine sector in terms of environmental sustainability and its aim is to become an international reference in the winemaking and environmental sectors, in the search for solutions and best practices for wineries.
The Pagos de Araiz winery, registered in the Official Registry of Carbon Footprint at the Ministry of Ecological Transition, has been making a strong commitment to sustainability through the use of technology and innovation, with the development of several research projects aimed at respecting and improving the ecosystem surrounding the winemaking process.
Pagos de Araiz currently grows 32 hectares of vineyards following Organic Agriculture criteria and 210 using Integrated Production methods, with the aim of being totally organic in the medium term.
One of the measures adopted in order to improve sustainability on the estate is reforestation to avoid soil erosion, reduce the carbon trail and promote the proliferation of pollinating and predator insects, reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides. Regarding control and use of water, the winery prioritizes the optimization of irrigation water by monitoring using humidity probes.
Bodega Pagos de Araiz, in collaboration with the University of Navarra, is carrying out a study on climate change in the vineyard through an R&D project, and also the application of new techniques both in the vineyards and in the winery which enable them to reduce the alcohol content, correct acidity or delay ripening, in short, to combat the possible negative effects of climate change in the vinyard and the wines.
Furthermore this winery is coordinating the Oivina project, funded by the European Union and the Government of Navarra, which focuses on the development of a predicative model to combat powdery mildew, one of the most serious diseases in the vineyard, not only specifically adapted to the agroclimatic conditions unique to Navarra, but also for the first time ever taking into account factors such as crop management carried out in the vineyard.
Bodega Pagos de Araiz
With the acquisition of the Pagos de Aráiz estate in Olite/Erriberri by the Masaveu Family in 2000, began a fresh and daring project in the traditional D.O. Navarra. This venture began with the construction of an ultra-modern 14,000-m2 château-style winery situated just outside the medieval town of Olite/Erriberri.
Over the following three years, on the 300-hectare estate, 240 hectares of family-owned vineyards were planted with several grape varietals (tempranillo, graciano, grenache, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and syrah). Their innovative management method and the wide variety of wine tourism activities on offer connect the historical, natural and winemaking importance of the area to art and gastronomy. The ideal scenario for a brilliant and promising future, linked to the values of Navarra, a classical yet emerging winemaking territory.
