Evora, Portugal, Sept. 28, 2026 (Lusa) - More than 35% of all wine produced in Portugal's Alentejo region is now certified as sustainable by the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA), an initiative which now includes 30 producers from the region, it was announced on Monday.
In a statement, the CVRA revealed that the Alentejo Wine Sustainability Programme (PSVA), through which seals of sustainable production are awarded, «has reached the historic milestone of 30 producers».
«This result consolidates the commitment of the Alentejo wine sector, ensuring that over 35% of all wine produced in the region is made in accordance with rigorous environmental, social and economic standards,» it emphasised.
According to this wine commission, the PSVA has now reached «this round figure» with the award of the seal to the wine producer Ervideira, which has a winery in the district of Reguengos de Monsaraz and whose roots in the Alentejo date back to 1880.
«The producer has been granted recognition valid until 2031, following an audit which confirmed compliance with the programme's standards for viticulture and winemaking, with a restriction on ‘production of origin',» he noted.
According to the CVRA, the network of producers certified by the PSVA now covers grape production from over 5,750 hectares of vineyards, an area representing more than 25% of the Alentejo's total.
«The programme ensures that more than a third of regional production – out of a total of approximately 87 million litres of wine – is already produced under sustainable certification,» it emphasised.
Quoted in the press release, the PSVA leader, João Barroso, highlighted that «reaching the milestone of 30 certified producers is evidence of the Alentejo's strong and growing commitment to sustainable development».
«These results demonstrate that sustainability represents a structural change in vineyards and wineries, with a direct impact on wine quality, the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, the choice of materials and packaging, optimised water and energy management, and the socio-economic strengthening of our region,» he stressed.
Meanwhile, the president of the CVRA, Luís Sequeira, also quoted in the press release, considered that «the critical mass achieved in the Alentejo with regard to sustainable production is unique in Portugal and a global benchmark».
«The continuous growth in the number of certified producers reflects the sector's commitment to adopting rigorous practices to promote the resilience of the region,» he added.
Regarded as a pioneer in Portugal's wine sector, the PSVA was established by the CVRA in 2013 and officially launched in 2015.
The certification process, with the first certifications dating back to 2020, is overseen by the CVRA's partner organisations through rigorous annual audits, which assess the implementation of 171 criteria in vineyards and in wineries.
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