Seed the Future combines mitigation, climate adaptation, and ecosystem protection measures to address the challenges of climate change
Sogrape has reduced its total greenhouse gas emissions in Portugal by 25.2% compared to 2021, while strengthening measures for adaptation and ecosystem protection. On International Climate Action Day, observed on October 24, and in anticipation of the global COP 31 Climate Conference and COP 17 Biodiversity Conference, the company highlights an approach that combines mitigation and adaptation to protect the future of wine.
In a sector particularly exposed to climate change—with impacts on vineyards, water availability, soil health, and grape quality—anticipating risks and strengthening the adaptive capacity of wine-growing regions is a priority for Sogrape. This initiative is part of “Seed the Future,” the company’s sustainability program, which combines emissions reduction with resource efficiency and the resilience of vineyards and wine-growing regions.
In Portugal, emissions reductions have been driven by initiatives focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy production, and lower-emission mobility. These have been complemented by measures throughout the value chain, particularly Scope 3 emissions—which account for more than 94% of total emissions—such as reducing bottle weight and incorporating recycled materials.
“Wine is born from the earth, and therefore, caring for nature means caring for who we are and what we want to preserve for the future. At Sogrape, we are working to build more resilient wine-growing regions, reduce our impact, and prepare our vineyards and territories for an increasingly challenging climate. This is the responsibility we’ve taken on today, with an eye toward the legacy we want to leave for future generations,” says Mafalda Guedes, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at Sogrape and a fourth-generation member of the founding family.
Adaptation begins with an understanding of the specific conditions of each region. In Portugal, Sogrape operates 31 weather stations and annually collects vegetation data from more than four million grapevines, supporting viticultural decisions that are better tailored to local conditions. Between 2022 and 2025, specific water use decreased by 40.5%, falling from 21.9 to 13 liters per 0.75-liter bottle of wine. At the same time, adaptation also means protecting biodiversity and the natural functions of vineyard landscapes; approximately 36 hectares have been restored in Portugal, with another 92 hectares currently undergoing restoration.
With a presence in various wine-growing regions, Sogrape monitors changes in climatic conditions at the regional level and on each individual property, recognizing that the impacts and necessary responses vary from region to region. This monitoring allows the company to anticipate and adapt viticultural practices to the conditions of each location, helping to protect grape quality, vineyard resilience, and the distinct character of different regions.
Sogrape is also a Silver member of the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), participating in the organization’s collective, science-based efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the wine industry. With an approach that combines emissions reduction, vineyard adaptation, and the protection of nature and biodiversity, Sogrape continues to invest in the resilience of wine-growing regions, helping ensure that future generations can continue to produce great wines.