OUR STORY IN THE MAKING ACCOUNTABLE BY NATURE
STEWARDS OF THE LAND
TREASURE TROVE OF TALENTS
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
ORGANIC VITICULTURE
ORGANIC VITICULTURE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES
THE BERLUCCHI SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE PROTOCOL (IN ITALIAN PROTOCOLLO BERLUCCHI DI VITICOLTURA SOSTENIBILE - PBVS) The PBVS was developed by Guido Berlucchi and Sata Studio Agronomico, and recommends defence, agronomic management and fertilisation practices. The PBVS was developed in 2020 to give structure to the virtuous practices that Guido Berlucchi requires of its grape suppliers (see also the section on suppliers, page 75). Among other things, the protocol prohibits the use of chemical herbicides and syn- thetic fertilisation, and recommends the use of virtuous practices such as green manure. The vineyards owned by Guido Berlucchi have all been certified organic since 2016, as have 60% of our partner winegrowers. Synthetic chemical products are not used in organic viticulture, and we only em- ploy natural copper and sulphur mixtures to protect the vineyard from disease and parasites. The aim of organic viticulture is to respect the ecosystem while producing quality wines that reflect their terroir.
Sustainability and quality are the core values that guide our activities right from the very first step in the viticultural value chain: cultivating the grape- vine. Our production philosophy is geared towards quality and sustainable viticulture in terms of envi- ronmental protection. We carefully weigh up every agronomic decision with these aspects in mind: operations in all our own vineyards have been certified as organic since 2016 ; we do not apply pre-packaged models or measures but examine every aspect rationally, adjusting, shaping and thus optimising it to suit the climatic and agronomic context. We closely follow the times of nature in our own actions, knowing that anything we initiate to- day will yield results in several years’ time. The grapes come from our own vineyards and the vineyards of our partner winegrowers. An agron- omist runs our agricultural activities, directly reporting to the CEO and applying organic viticul- ture . Our agronomist is responsible for managing agricultural employees and casual workers and li- aises with our partner winegrowers - 60% of which
are certified as organic - which sell us grapes. The agronomist also supports some agricultural deci- sions, where necessary. The vineyards consist of 73 hectares of our own property, all of which have been certified organic since 2016; in addition to these are 42 hectares of vineyards owned by the subsidiary winery Agrico- la della Franciacorta, which applies the integrated production regulations. The rest of the grapes are sourced from vineyards operated by partner wine- growers, 60% of which are certified as organic . Relations with partner winegrowers are regulated by long-term agreements by which the winegrow- ers also undertake to adopt sustainable cultivation principles. Vineyard management complies first and foremost with the Franciacorta DOCG Production Code, the Vitiviniculture Code, and environmental regula- tions. In addition, we follow our own distinctive sustainability practices which embody our ongoing commitment to protect the health of our consum- ers, workers and the environment.
MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL TO MAKE THE BEST AGRONOMIC DECISIONS
Good vineyard management is based on a scientific approach linking natural resources. We hold it essential to carefully evaluate different situations by measuring certain parameters so that we can introduce effective measures to improve the quality of the land and the end product and to reduce consumption and impacts on the environment.
VARIABILITY ANALYSIS
The variability analysis is based on the principle that the complex winegrowing ecosystem – linking climate, soil and vine – represents a unique situation that must be carefully evaluated to identify and apply the most appropriate cultivation practices over time. We believe that the study of vari- ability is the first step in implementing a dynamic approach, capable of changing to best adapt to the differing needs of each vintage and manage vegetative growth with the right balance. We do a number of things to study variability; these are defined and coordinated on the basis of the PBVS. We act both directly with field surveys (such as weather and soil analyses, etc.) or indirectly (such as employing evaluation models), which enable us to define which agronomic practices to adopt.
THE FRANCIACORTA DOCG PRODUCTION CODE, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST RIGOROUS
MILLE1VIGNA PROJECT
In 2007, we launched the Mille1Vigna project – a continuation of the zoning study sponsored by the Consortium for the Protection of Franciacorta – to identify the characteristics of individual vineyards characteristics and create an “ID card” for each one. This in-depth knowledge of each individual vine- yard allows us to know exactly which grapes are used for each type of Franciacorta Berlucchi, and at the same time it is also conducive to more sustainable management of each vineyard, as it relates to soil and microclimate variability. By dividing the vineyards into homogeneous units based on soil and landscape characteristics, we have been able to identify the areas with the greatest potential for meeting Franciacorta’s quality standards. Thanks to this project, we were able to implement precision agricultural techniques, namely the agronomic management of each individual lot.
MINIMUM AGEING PERIOD
MAXIMUM YIELD IN BOTTLES/HA
APPELLATION GRAPE VARIETIES
18 months Satèn/Rosé: 24 months Vintage: 30 months Reserve: 60 months
Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco (max 50%), Ermabat (max 10%) Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chardonnay Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
Franciacorta DOCG
8,600
15 months Vintage: 36 months
Champagne AOC
10,400
VIGOUR MAPPING
Vegetative vigour conveys information about soil fertility and the vegetative growth of the vine. This is why we have adopted a valuable measurement tool afforded by new technology: 'vigour maps', which have been periodically produced since 2009. These tools are created by using satellite imagery from special multispectral cameras that capture the photosynthetic activity of the plants and, consequently, their state of health in real time. The maps provide knowledge about soils and their individual charac- teristics, making it possible to cultivate them in accordance with their requirements.
15 months Vintage: 24 months Reserve: 36 months
Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Meunier
Trento DOC
14,000
85% Glera, 15% Verdiso, Bianchetta trevigiana, Perera, Glera lunga, Char- donnay, Pinot bianco, Pinot grigio and Pinot Nero
NETWORK OF WEATHER SENSORS IN THE VINEYARDS
1 month Rosé: 2 months
Prosecco DOC
18,000
In order to ascertain the environment’s agro-climatic conditions in real time and define targeted action, we rely on a network of weather sensors located in the vineyards.
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