The conservation of one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world is part of the commitment that Viña Concha y Toro and Gran Reserva assumed after obtaining the FSC® certification. This 2024 the company celebrates five years since it was first certified.

Five years have passed since Viña Concha y Toro implemented the Forest Stewardship Council® certification (FSC®/FSC-C154029) to conserve approximately 4,000 hectares of sclerophyllous forest. This pioneering decision, of course, included Gran Reserva and its Fundo Ucúquer, corresponding to 11% of these forests.

Since then, in 2019, the company and Gran Reserva assumed a commitment and formal actions for the conservation of this forest and the regeneration of the Mediterranean sclerophyllous forest, of which 487 hectares are located within the Fundo Ucúquer. It is in this place where the grapes that give rise to Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc are grown, and where “the ratio between hectares of vineyard and protected native forest is 1:1.”

To date, Vina Concha y Toro is the only vineyard in the world with a forest conservation certificate, whose action plan has also led them to plant more than 20,000 trees in their vineyards, nursery more than 40,000 native trees, certify 4,272 hectares and also work on promising goals for 2025.

This certification once again becomes relevant on the eve of the International Day of Forests, which is celebrated every 21 of March. A date that was created by the United Nations in 2012, to pay tribute to all types of forests, as well as raise awareness about their importance and encourage countries to take action.

With its 4,272 hectares certified to date, the work of Viña Concha y Toro and Gran Reserva is of great importance for both the Chilean forest and the FSC®. “This initiative by Viña Concha y Toro means that at FSC® we are working for the first time in Chile to protect the sclerophyllous forest, one of the most threatened vegetation systems in the world due to climate change, urbanization and change of use of the soil, where no more than 1% is conserved globally. This alliance and the opportunity provided by Viña Concha y Toro’s commitment to the protection of the sclerophyllous forest in Chile, has been and continues to be of great relevance for FSC®, contributing to demonstrating what is the most recognized forest certification system in the world, and what can achieve in the field of conservation,” says Regina Massai, Executive Director of FSC® Chile.

To understand the magnitude of forests, Regina Massai says: “The forest is a carbon sink, protects the soil, retains water, offers a habitat for animals and plants, along with scenic beauty and recreation for people.” And she adds: “With this certification, Viña Concha y Toro also mobilized capabilities in the system that are available so that others can undertake similar challenges. Together we give a strong signal that the commitment to the conservation and protection of forests requires action. These actions and experience of Viña Concha y Toro are now scalable and transferable.”

In honour of International Forest Day, we invite you to uncork a bottle of Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, and celebrate the important fact that, for every productive hectare, the vineyard protects and conserves half a hectare of native forest.