Wine tourism from a sustainable point of view

Wine tourism is a way of generating impacts on the development of a destination through the diversification of activities related to wine culture and tourism. In this context, Querétaro has been no exception, and with the boom it has experienced in recent years, the Association of Winegrowers of the State (AVQ) has been created to promote the region's wine and work on actions that benefit the different social actors in the sector. 

An example of this is the San Juanito vineyard, which was born as a sustainable project in 2011. Although those in charge had to live through adverse situations to implement it, in that same year they planted the first three hectares of Malbec and one of Syrah (types of grapes), one year later, they decided to cultivate another two hectares of Tempranillo y Cabernet Sauvignon, These are the main varieties used for the production of the vineyard. 

Vineyard achieves carbon neutrality

The wine industry has a significant impact on the environment as vineyards emit carbon dioxide (CO2) through various processes, including grape processing, machinery use, energy consumption, among others; however, it is important to note that there are vineyards that adopt sustainable practices and seek to reduce their carbon footprint, which can help reduce these environmental impacts.

This is achieved mainly by reducing the direct emissions generated by the main process: fermentation, by releasing carbon offset credits in the carbon market. In other words, agrochemicals are not used and the use of oenological or organic products is reduced in order to avoid damaging the plant and the soil.

The San Juanito vineyard implements a system method that was used to build the winery that through an audit that evaluates, measures and checks everything that is used in the place such as gasoline, corks, labels, design, among others, determines that the amount of CO2 emitted per year is lower compared to other companies of this type.

Wine label: carbon neutral

This is how the vineyard has worked to take actions that generate a lower impact on the environment, so it sought certification that recognizes the work being done on carbon neutrality, for which MEXICO2 was consulted, a subsidiary of the Mexican Stock Exchange that aims to provide advice to the public and private sectors in order to understand, implement and raise awareness of carbon markets.

MEXICO2, in addition to the advice it provided to the vineyard, required information about the processes, agrochemicals, oenological products and energy consumption throughout the year in order to calculate the amount of CO2, an aspect that allowed it to receive recognition and obtain the "Carbon Neutral Wine Seal" at the Mexico Carbon Forum in 2023, a space where different sectors can meet, learn and discuss trends and initiatives for decarbonization.

The recognition of carbon neutral for the vineyard generates multiple benefits and significant impacts: it reflects the commitment to the environment, thus contributing to sustainable practices, it also improves the brand image and generates a remarkable reputation compared to other vineyards, this achievement can also facilitate access to new markets that seek to comply with friendly practices and strengthen relationships with the community and promote partnerships with environmental organizations, so that sustainability is worked from a lifestyle perspective that is integrated beyond the traditional, not only in rural areas. 

Additionally, it is a clear example of the innovation of new technologies for the common good in order to raise awareness that it is possible to be sustainable in the wine industry, and thus gives rise to the fact that from the trench of each one can contribute a grain of sand so that we can live in harmony and that our actions include what footprint we want to generate and leave for present and future generations. 

*Student of the Bachelor's Degree in Cultural and Natural Tourism Management at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Campus Tequisquiapan.