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Sustainability

We view sustainability
as a direction, not a destination.

For a winery, this work today needs to be defined in a broader and more ambitious way.

Economically sustainable, ecologically attentive, socially equitable: since day one, our production has adhered to the three “e’s” that define modern viticulture.

In addition to implementing enological practices that are sensitive to the ecosystem and aimed at enhancing environmental quality in the long term, some of our projects are entirely oriented towards sustainability. One such example is the La Baronia estate in Capo Milazzo. But this is not enough. Our role is made effective by the comprehensive social responsibility actions we undertake: protecting production in individual territories, preserving landscapes and traditions, initiating special projects, and promoting culture.

In every territory where we are present, we are committed to protecting the landscape, not merely by minimizing our impact but by making it positive. This is exemplified at Capparrina, where we have transformed an area at risk of being overtaken by cement into an olive grove by the sea, now a permanently protected oasis. Another example is Capo Milazzo, where on the lands owned by the Fondazione Lucifero, we care for vineyards and olive groves using agricultural systems that are in full harmony with the territory. Here, we have implemented a “disassemblable” winery and restored pathways, as we previously did at Ulmo within the “La Segreta” forest surrounding our estate.

The designs of our wineries fully adhere to the principles of eco-friendly architecture. In Noto, we constructed an Invisible Winery, hidden beneath a natural slope of the hills, with an innovative project that perfectly balances technical requirements and architectural solutions. On Etna, we built a Lava Winery within a 16th-century lava flow: the project integrates seamlessly into the landscape, incorporating elements in a modern way, starting with the use of lava stone in the construction of the building and the cellar, which resembles an ancient stone quarry. Lastly, in Capo Milazzo, we introduced a Disassemblable Winery: the small, lightweight structure made of iron and stone is designed to be temporary and can be completely removed without harming the environment.

Three hundred square meters of photovoltaic panels supply a portion of the energy needed to operate the Menfi wineries, and we use wood biomass for boilers wherever possible.

Every year, we recycle several tons of plastic and paper materials. Much of our informational materials and packaging are printed on certified recycled paper.

Organic Certification

Planeta represents the history of a Sicilian family and its agricultural activity for nearly five centuries and seventeen generations.

Our approach to sustainability considers the value of agriculture as an activity that not only respects but coexists with the surrounding environment. The company applies minimally interventionist agricultural practices and invests energy in initiatives ranging from research programs to cultural activities, enhancing regional resources of excellence and preserving the territory.

The collection of protocols and behaviors that summarize our vision are encompassed under the name Planeta Terra, whose program views agriculture both as a vehicle for sustainability and a source of well-being for people and nature. Since 2021, our entire cultivated area – vineyards, olive groves, almond groves, and cereal fields – has been under organic certification.

Planeta is also among the founders and promoters of the SOStain® program, established in 2011, in which it has been certified since 2014. The program, through the SOStain Foundation, develops the regional sustainability protocol for Sicilian viticulture, adopted by over 30 Sicilian wineries, with the goal of stimulating research and high-level training to develop a culture of sustainability at all levels.

Sostain

SOStain involves a continuous improvement journey towards increasing levels of sustainability. Progress is constant, and results are measured by achieving defined goals, but always with the logic of a “never-ending list,” based on a shared principle that further steps forward are always possible.

SOStain is the first major Italian environmental viticulture certification project, developed by the University of Piacenza in collaboration with the University of Milan. Planeta has made it a cornerstone for the future of viticulture in Sicily, combining traditional and organic viticulture with the application of scientific and technological innovations. The program stands out for its transparency in communication, multidisciplinary approach, coherent, consistent, and innovative scientific method.

Download the 2021 report
bottiglia made in sicilia

New 100% Sicily Bottle

Sustainable from every perspective: it is produced with recycled glass exclusively from separated waste collected on the island and transformed at the O-I Glass plant in Marsala, the only regional glassworks.

Recycling, short supply chain, and the choice to produce an especially lightweight bottle (just 410 grams) significantly reduce the carbon footprint during bottling and distribution.
We have supported this project by the SOStain Sicily Foundation from the very beginning, and our Terebinto and Alastro are the first wines traveling the world with this small symbol of the Sicily of the future!

Viti Diverse

Viti Diverse is an innovative project in the Sicilian viticulture sector aimed at protecting and enhancing the genetic diversity of grape varieties and ensuring the sustainability of Sicilian vineyards for future generations. The project involves various stages, including surveying vineyards over twenty years old in different parts of Sicily to identify over 400 “mother plants,” a phase that involved seven growers and Planeta. Subsequently, a detailed virological analysis of the cuttings was conducted using the ELISA test to assess their health status. A Collection Field was established in Cirami, in the municipality of Sciacca, at an altitude of 400 meters, to conserve biotypes from different areas compared with commercial clones to preserve and further enrich genetic diversity.

The field serves as a resource for mass selection and allows in vivo exposure of biotype varieties. Additionally, the project includes creating a Selection Field dedicated to the research and development of new clones in collaboration with universities and national scientific institutions, using advanced selection protocols to identify and select the most suitable clones.

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The Francolino returns to fly in Sicily

In collaboration with the Mediterranean Biodiversity Foundation, we are carrying out the project to reintroduce the Francolino in Sicily, extinct since 1870 but still present in other Mediterranean areas. Planeta has provided an area in Menfi to release 40 individuals selected with the Zootechnical Institute of the Sicilian Region.

The area was chosen to ensure the absence of human disturbances and predators like wild boars, with different environmental characteristics to assess the project’s success. The company also provides logistical support and temporary habitats to help the birds adapt, closely monitoring their behavior and adaptation. Continuous analysis will guide possible improvements in the reintroduction process.