PR Piece: Ferreirinha and Sandeman

[Roy Hersh]

CASA FERREIRINHA AND SANDEMAN ACCLAIMED AT BRIT’S SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS


The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®) acknowledged for the second time the
excellence practices of both Sogrape brands in ensuring their business environmental,
financial and social sustainability.


Press Release, January 2019 – Casa Ferreirinha and Sandeman, two of the most renowned Sogrape brands have been, once again, internationally distinguished in the “2019 International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing,” in the USA. Both brands had already been acclaimed back in the 2016 edition of this award by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®).

The “International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing” was created to highlight and reward the winegrowers and wine producers that are most committed in developing their business through the implementation of excellence practices in environmental, financial, and social sustainability. BRIT® is a non-profit international research and education organization. Their mission is to collect, study and protect plant specimens and to raise awareness for the global importance of flora and biodiversity conservation.

Casa Ferreirinha was awarded the Platinum Medal, thus becoming the global winner of the 2019 edition, and Sandeman was given Gold.
For Sogrape, these awards by the BRIT® attest to the efforts undertaken by the company to sustain its vitiviniculture activities through the implementation of innovative practices that are capable of minimizing negative impacts in the atmosphere, water, soil and in the areas where their vineyards and facilities are located, while also taking into special account other paramount aspects of business, such as social responsibility.


The jury took into consideration several different types of aspects when awarding the medals to Casa Ferreirinha and Sandeman, such as:

• Consideration for soil conservation and biodiversity;
• Integrated Production practices in agriculture;
• Actions taken to reduce energy consumption, thermal energy recovery, minimizing industrial compressed air leaks and photovoltaic energy implementation plan;
• Reduction of weight in glass bottles and using recycled materials in packaging;
• Growing reuse of agricultural and industrial residues;
• Sustainable practices in customer relationship management and customer service;
• Training programmes for employees;
• Conditions provided to the employees in terms of canteen, medical services, gym,
nutritional support, health insurance and pension fund;
• The existing balance in terms of gender equality;
• Work developed in informing and supporting farmers and other suppliers in
agricultural management and energy management;
• Active involvement of the R&D department, both internally and externally;
• The fact that Sogrape Vinhos was the founding member of PORVID – Associação
Portuguesa para a Diversidade da Videira (Portuguese Association for the Diversity of
Grapevine);
These awards are also the result of the unquestionable quality of two wines from Sogrape–
Quinta da Leda 2015 and Sandeman Vintage Porto 2016 – which were tasted and assessed by
an experienced panel of judges.