THE VINEYARDS

Since 2015 production in the vineyards at the Cascina La Zerba in Volpedo has been totally converted to certified organic production (ICEA control body).

«A choice dictated by love for the territory and by the desire to preserve its biodiversity: for us organic production is simply, first and foremost, a question of respect for the environment»

[Marco Volpi]

This consideration in the vineyard translates into the application of integrated pest management in order to protect the vine from harmful pests, without having to resort to the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers: the use of a particular mushroom, for example, affords protection against many other fungi harmful to the vine. Insect impollination is also favoured by creating designated uncultivated areas outside the vineyard.

Biodiversity is encouraged also by the presence of other crops such as fruit trees, including peach, apricot, apple and mulberry trees and a wood adjoining the vineyards, which is kept clean and tidy through green management.

The use of indigenous multiclonal varieties is prioritized for the purpose of promoting diversity. The grass which grows spontaneously in between the vine stocks and must be constantly pulled up, is removed mechanically without using herbicides. The inter-row, however, is left grassy and mowing is staggered over time. In 2021 the use of green manure was introduced: this consists in the sowing in autumn of various crop species between the rows of the vines and then buried in the earth the following spring in order to give nourishment to the soil and improve its structure without using either chemicals or invasive procedures.

CONSCIOUS CHOICES REGARDING PACKAGING AND CONSUMPTION MONITORING

Cantine Volpi favors environmentally low-impact packaging which can be easily reused and recycled

• bottle closures: since 2021 all Volpi brand still wines have a 100% recyclable cork made from vegetable polymers obtained from sugar cane;
• bottles: almost half of the bottles used are lightweight (360 grams) thus reducing the weight and thereby CO2 in transportation (in/out).
• paper and cardboard: 100% of cardboard packaging used by Cantine Volpi are certified by the FSC Principles and Criteria (Forest Stewardship Council) which outline the fundamental elements and regulations in forest management with respect to the environment, bringing societal benefits and which are, moreover, efficacious in economic terms. 2022 will also see an increase in FSC certified label suppliers.

In order to constantly reduce both energy and chemical products waste, Cantine Volpi has adopted a system to monitor consumption and electric energy, water and detergents. The investments for the purpose of reducing our water footprint and energy consumption are laid out in the Sustainability Report.

 

CANTINE VOLPI PER L'AMBIENTE

Cantine Volpi per l'Ambiente is an annual appointment when all the company workers and their families devote their work and time to the environment, cleaning up rubbish in a local green area. The first edition of the event took place in the Park of the River Scrivia, very close to the centre of Tortona. In 2022 the second edition was held in the green heart of Tortona at the Parco del Castello.

 ZERBA ANTICA PROJECT

Thanks to Memo Vithana, a young, multi-talented Italian second generation Sri Lankan artist, wine and art came together, for charitable purposes . For each one of a limited number of bottles of wine sold — only 600 hand-numbered bottles — of Derthona Timorasso, a great, white, aged wine, typical of Tortona, Cantine Volpi contributed 10€ in favour of the Piccolo Cottolengo foundation, a care home which looks after physically and mentally disabled children. In 2021, the 2017 vintage wine was launched and Matteo25 (a charity which looks after the dormitory for the homeless in Tortona) was selected as beneficiary from the profits ensuing from the second edition.

“AMBIENTE SCRIVIA” PROJECT TOP SPONSOR

DERTHONA BASKET JERSEY SPONSOR & HOSPITALITY PARTNER

For many years now Cantine Volpi has sponsored the clothing kit for Derthona Basket, the pride and joy of Tortona. Besides giving financial support  for the team (which is in the first division), Cantine Volpi also provides hospitality space for presentations and meetings and offers wines for events and celebrations.

TORNEO ARMANA GOLD SPONSOR

For the first time in 2021, Cantine Volpi sponsored the Armana Tournament, a street basketball tournament in memory of Prof. Mario Armana to raise money, with the support of fans, in aid of the Enrico Cucchi Association, a voluntary organisation for palliative care. Since its beginning, in 2005, more than 50,000 Euro has been raised thanks to Torneo Armana.