Since 2015 we have offered specific courses during which VIVA indicators use and implementation are illustrated.

The course are in Italian and are targeted to:

• Wine consultants and technicians;
• Wine companies;
• Auditors.

In following you can read a short report which João L. Barroso, Sustainability Manager for Wines of Alentejo (Portugal), wrote in order to tell his experience and provide his opinion about our course which he attended in Palermo (November, 2016).

"I had the privilege to attend the VIVA training held in Tasca D´Almerita – Tenuta Sallier de la Tour in late November 2016.

The training was a very special experience, not only due to the high level of technical and professional capacity if the organizing team (from both the M. of Environment and the Catholic University of Milan), but also because of the hospitality and friendliness of the staff at Tasca.

VIVA is a world class sustainability scheme for the Italian vitiviniculture industry. Its scope is both wide and detailed, comprising both the entire production cycle from grape growing to bottle shipment as well as providing details on each step of the process, such as chemical input on the soils or water use in the cellar. VIVA provides tools for the assessment of impacts and footprint calculation for any wine producer interested in cost reduction and increased efficiency. VIVA provides a clear competitive advantage for Italian wines in international markets without compromising quality. The explanation indicators throughout the course was very accessible and easy, and the trainers were available to answer any questions or doubts from the audience.

The venue was very welcoming and everything went very well including a field visit on the last day to Tasca D´Almerita vineyard and cellar, for some “in loco” examples of best practices in sustainable vitiviniculture.

I strongly recommend the course if you want to learn more about your own processes and opportunities for improving it in a more sustainable way."

João L. Barroso

Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Manager, Portugal 

You can get more info on future courses by writinig an email to gloria.luzzani@unicatt.it.