Story: Guido Berlucchi | Lombardy
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Measurable success in environmental protection
Guido Berlucchi can point to impressive progress in reducing his ecological footprint. Since the introduction of sustainable vineyard methods in 2007, water consumption has been reduced by around 30% and the use of mineral fertilizers by 40%. At the same time, thanks to energy efficiency measures and the gradual switch to renewable sources, greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by a further 6% in 2021 compared to the previous year. These consistent savings underline how deeply sustainability is anchored in everyday operations.

More than 10,000 m² of solar panels have now been installed on the extensive roofs of the historic and modern wineries, supplying over 1,200 MWh of clean energy every year - a good 20% of the total energy requirement. As of 2021, Berlucchi is already sourcing 95% of its electricity requirements from renewable sources, making the winery one of the pioneers in Franciacorta. This commitment is complemented by a comprehensive circular economy system: materials and waste are reused or recycled as much as possible to minimize landfill quantities.

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Ecosystem care and climate protection projects
Berlucchi has been working with the Treedom platform since 2019, planting over 2,500 trees in six different countries. Under the “Guido Berlucchi '61 for Treedom” project, the CO₂ footprint is offset in the long term: The newly planted trees will bind around 317 tons of CO₂ in the coming years. The campaigns are financed entirely through the sale of a specially created wine line and documented transparently.

In 2021, the winery added beekeeping to its biodiversity efforts: 50 beehives on the Borgonato site promote pollination and support the healthy balance of the local flora. The pure honey from local flowers obtained in this way not only complements the product range, but is also a symbol of the interlocking ecosystem that Berlucchi protects.

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Awards and social commitment
In 2020, Berlucchi was honored with the “Sustainability Award” at the Wine Enthusiast magazine's Wine Star Awards for its exemplary sustainability program. In collaboration with Ernst & Young, the company has since produced an annual sustainability report in which environmental, social and economic key figures are transparently reported and analyzed.

In addition, Guido Berlucchi promotes local environmental education projects and supports non-profit initiatives to preserve the regional cultural landscape. The close exchange with associations and research institutions is intended to spread best practices in the wine sector and motivate other companies to pursue similarly high standards.

With this holistic strategy, Berlucchi has not only positioned itself as a producer of outstanding Franciacorta, but also as a pioneer of responsible viticulture that consistently combines tradition, quality and environmental awareness. - Gerardo [TS05/25]