Alcohol Policy and Social Responsibility

At Quinta do Quetzal, sustainability lies at the heart of our vision. We honour the winemaking tradition of Vidigueira while promoting the cultural, gastronomic and responsible appreciation of wine. We recognise the impact of alcohol abuse on society and are firmly committed to transparency, workplace safety, social equity and the mitigation of these risks.

  • Business Ethics and Marketing

    Our commercial communications strictly comply with Article 69 of the Portuguese Advertising Code. We ensure that no marketing materials target minors, encourage excessive consumption, or associate alcohol with social or physical success. Our digital channels employ age-verification measures (age gates) to restrict access to alcohol-related content.

  • Sustainable Gastronomy and Wine Tourism

    At our Restaurant and Art Centre, wine is presented as a complement to regional gastronomy. We follow a sustainable sourcing policy, with 90% of our ingredients supplied by local and regional producers, and seasonal menus that respect the agricultural cycle. We embrace a whole-animal cooking philosophy to support local farmers and minimise waste, while all organic waste is composted and used to fertilise our gardens.

  • Gender Equity and Governance

    As part of our social commitment, we actively promote gender balance across all levels of employment, with a particular focus on leadership positions and traditionally male-dominated fields such as viticulture and winemaking.
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Sustainability Policy – Social and Gender Commitment

Statement on Animal-Derived Products and Services

We are dedicated exclusively to viticulture and the production of premium-quality wines. We do not engage in any form of intensive livestock farming or animal exploitation, integrating fauna into our agricultural ecosystem solely through regenerative practices.

  • Regenerative Vineyard Grazing

    During the vine dormancy period, we use sheep grazing across our vineyard plots. This traditional practice significantly reduces the need for chemical herbicides while providing natural fertilisation.

  • Ecological Soil Nutrition

    We incorporate vine pruning residues and animal-derived organic matter directly into the soil to enhance its quality, structure and microbial life.

  • Winemaking Practices

    We minimise the use of traditional animal-derived fining agents. In the production of Quinta do Quetzal wines, we prioritise natural settling and filtration processes, using mineral-based fining agents (such as bentonite) or plant-based alternatives whenever necessary.
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Sustainability Policy – Environmental Practices and Well-Being

Biodiversity Impact and Conservation Statement

Located in Vidigueira, Alentejo, Quinta do Quetzal embraces the responsibility of protecting and enhancing native fauna and flora, addressing the risks of erosion and environmental degradation through long-term regenerative agricultural practices.

  • No-Tillage Practices

    Since 2006, we have implemented no-tillage practices across our vineyards to prevent soil erosion, promote biodiversity and increase soil organic matter. Our medium-term objective is to extend this approach to 100% of our vineyard area.

  • Efficient Underground Architecture

    Our winery, built in 2006, is 70% underground. This design enables gravity-flow operations, significantly reducing the need for pumping and lowering energy consumption through natural temperature regulation and climate control.

  • Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Architecture

    Following the same philosophy, the Art Centre and restaurant building (constructed in 2016) was also built 70% below ground level. Its roof is fully covered with living vegetation to optimise natural cooling, while the surrounding gardens feature drought-resistant xerophytic plants.

  • Integrated Protection

    We minimise the use of chemical treatments in our vineyards, while actively monitoring pollinator populations and other key species within our ecosystem.

  • Conservation Goals

    In the medium term, we are committed to planting additional hectares of native vegetation to support biodiversity and further reducing the use of chemical treatments in our vineyards. Progress will be monitored through indicators such as pollinator abundance and the presence of other key species within the ecosystem.
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Sustainability Policy – Biodiversity Protection Plan

Water-Intensive Industries and Water Efficiency Statement

Water is a scarce and critical resource in the Alentejo region. As wine production is an activity with significant water consumption, Quinta do Quetzal is firmly committed to water efficiency, continuous monitoring and sustainable resource management.

  • Precision and Low-Flow Irrigation

    Our vineyards are monitored and managed through low-flow irrigation systems that minimise water use, applying it only where necessary and in carefully controlled quantities to support vine survival and health.

  • Subsoil Water Retention

    We implement subsoil loosening and decompaction techniques that significantly improve rainwater retention in our hillside vineyards, helping to replenish natural groundwater reserves and enhancing the natural resilience of the vines.

  • Transition to Renewable Energy

    In 2023, we installed a photovoltaic system with an 80 kW generation capacity. This investment has enabled a 50% reduction in our reliance on grid electricity.

  • Eco-Friendly Packaging

    Since 2010, we have reduced our overall carbon footprint through the consistent use of lightweight glass bottles and kraft paper materials for secondary packaging.

  • Targets and Monitoring

    We monitor the indicator “Litres of water used per hectare per year” and have established short-term targets for the continuous reduction of water consumption and the elimination of plastic materials.
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Sustainability Policy – Water Performance Report