Banfihas always been a pioneer of sustainability and promoter of concrete initiatives for the enhancement of the territory, and boasts among its certifications also the prestigious Equalitas Certificationthe prestigious international award for companies that have made social and environmental responsibility, transparency and ethics the cornerstones of their strategy.
What is Equalitas Certification?
The Equalitas Certification, issued by CSQA, was created in 2015 on the initiative of Federdoc and Unione Italiana Vini and represents an authentic symbol of business excellence in the wine sector and the firm will of everyone in the industry to set a high standard of sustainability covering every aspect of the production chain, from raw material traceability to bottling.
These standards apply to both companies, which can receive the Equalitas Sustainable Organisation Certificationand individual products, which can bear the Equalitas Sustainable Product Certification.
Over time, Banfi has achieved both of these goals, adding to its roster of certifications that of sustainable organisation in 2021 and that of Brunello family products in 2022.
The three pillars of Equalitas certification
The achievement of Equalitas sustainability standards for certified companies in the wine sector is based on three fundamental pillars (economic, social and environmental sustainability), as well as on a series of guidelines and good practices covering the entire production chain, from soil and vineyard management (for good agricultural practices), to bottling and sanitising equipment (cellar), the continuous and documented communication of corporate strategic plans and sustainability reports (good communication practices).
Banfi for training and economic sustainability
One of the fundamental pillars on which Equalitas Certification is based is that of socio-economic management of the companywhich refers not only to good economic practices, but also to the constant training of workers, integration with the local area and community.
It is with this in mind that Banfi also created the Sanguis Jovis - Alta Scuola del Sangiovese. The institution represents one of the most original and innovative paths in the sector, with the aim of innovating the culture of wine professionals and projecting it towards a globalised future, always respecting and enhancing a territory, that of Sangiovese, which boasts an ancient tradition.
Banfi for environmental sustainability
Banfi has always embraced a business management of profound understanding, coexistence and harmony with its surroundings, through therational use of resources and care for the environment at every stage of the production chain, from the grape harvest to the creation of new lightweight bottles that save on raw materials.
As far as Equalitas Certification is concerned, the pillar of environmental sustainability considers three different factors: carbon footprint, water footprint and biodiversity.
Carbon footprint
The carbon footprint, i.e. the environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions caused by a company and the production of a product, is the flagship of Banfi's sustainability strategy.
Since the 1990s, in fact, the company has promoted low environmental impact cultivation programmesminimising the use of chemicals and environmentally aggressive products. In parallel, we carried out a project of forest revitalisation surrounding the estate, planting local varieties, including cypresses, which are particularly suitable for increasing oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption.
Water footprint
Over the years, thanks to their in-depth knowledge of an area as rich and varied as the hills surrounding Poggio alle Mura, our experts have developed a irrigation system which led to a water savings of approximately 80%. Through a system of localised variable rate irrigation and taking into account the geological, climatic and soil variability of the cultivated soils, we have minimised water withdrawal from the Orcia and Ombrone rivers, the estate's natural sources of supply.
Biodiversity
The commitment to environmental sustainability promoted by Banfi and attested by the Equalitas Certification also concerns the biodiversity. The rich and varied natural fauna, especially wild boar, pheasants and deer, live in harmony in the natural and sown fields in the vicinity of our winery. We also look after thebreeding a small group of donkeys from Amiataa local breed threatened with extinction.
Equalitas certification of sustainable products: our wines
Banfi's achievements in the sphere of sustainability do not only concern corporate standards but also embrace a wide range of productswhich has become the flagship of our top quality and sustainable wine production. One of our most prized and historic wines, the Poggio all'oro 2016 was the first Brunello di Montalcino to obtain the Equalitas Sustainable Product Certification in October 2022, followed by the Poggio alle Mura 2018, from 2018 Marrucheto Vineyard and from the Poggio alle Mura Riserva 2017which can boast the prestigious Equalitas Certification - Sustainable Products.
