Portugal’s Successful WASP Programme

My Latest in The Drinks Business:

“How Successful is Portugal’s WASP Programme?”

by L.M. Archer

On 14-15 October, London will host the inaugural ‘Sustainability in Drinks’ conference, with Portugal’s WASP initiative one of the topics up for discussion, writes L.M. Archer.

The award-winning Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme (WASP) will be one of the focuses for a panel discussion due to take place at this month’s Sustainability in Drinks conference.

Launched in 2015, WASP aims to improve the environmental, social, and economic performances in wine for the Portuguese region of Alentejo.

Today, 670 winegrowers participate in the voluntary initiative managed by the Alentejo Regional Wine Growing Commission (CVRA – Comissão Vitivinícola Regional Alentejana). All told, WASP encompasses 13,972 ha. (34,525 ac.), or approximately 59% of Alentejo’s total vineyard area.

“At Esporão, the WASP programme has indeed been a significant part of our sustainability journey,” says Rui Flores, agricultural manager at Esporão. Founded in
1985, estate sprawls among the montado ecosystem (cork oak forests) within Reguengos de Monsaraz.

“However, it is important to note that many of the practices promoted by WASP were already deeply embedded in our philosophy, long before the programme’s inception,” Flores adds.

“The programme has helped formalise and confirm the efforts we have been making in the winery and vineyard, providing a framework that not only recogniseswhat we’ve achieved, but also encourages us to continue improving.”