The Pagos de Araiz winery in Navarra, belonging to Masaveu Family Wineries, has recently obtained the Wineries for Climate Protection (WFCP) stamp which certifies it as an environmentally sustainable winery, only conceded to fifty wineries in Spain.
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 winery Pagos de Araizregistered in the Official Carbon Footprint Register in the Ministry of Transition to a Green Economy, has been using technology and innovation to increase sustainability through the development of several research projects aimed at respecting and improving the ecosystem involved in winemaking.
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.
Some of the measures adopted to improve sustainability on the estate include reforestation to avoid soil erosion and reduction in use of pesticides and herbicides in order to aid the proliferation of insect pollinators and predators. As regards water control and usage, the winery prioritizes optimization of irrigation water by carrying out monitoring using humidity probes.
Pagos de Araiz Wineryis also working on a R&D project in collaboration with the University of Navarra, to study the effects of climate change on the vineyard, and applying new techniques on the land and in the winery which enable them to reduce alcohol content, correct acidity and delay ripening, i.e. to deal with the possible negative effects that climate change may have on the vineyard 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.
Pagos de Araiz Winery
With the acquisition of the Finca the Pagos de Araiz in Olite, by the Masaveu family in 2000, a fresh and daring project germinated in the traditional DO Navarra. This commitment began with the construction of an absolutely avant-garde 14,000 m 2 château-style winery located on the outskirts of the medieval town of Olite.
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). The 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.
