We highlight the wineries and wines that already have the new international certification for regenerative viticulture
Wineries and wines certified according to the RVA have a prominent space on our website. Currently, seven wineries and five wines from four countries already have this certification. With this new space, from the Regenerative Viticulture Association we want to value the wineries and wines that have completed the certification process and encourage wineries that are not yet certified to follow this example.
The certified wineries to date are Domaine Mirabeau (Côtes de Provence, France), Domaine Lafage (Roussillon, France), Lima & Smith (Vinho Verde, Portugal), Miguel Torres Chile (Maule Region, Chile), Familia Torres (Penedès), Clos Mogador (Priorat) and Jean Leon (Penedès), as well as other small Catalan winegrowers. The certified wines are La Réserve Rosé 2023 (Domaine Mirabeau), Clos Ancestral Blanco 2023 and Forcada 2023 (Familia Torres), Nereda Blanc Bio 2023 (Domaine Lafage) and Jean Leon Vinya Gigi Chardonnay 2023 (Jean Leon).
Wineries interested in certifying their wines and vineyards must submit their application through the website of the Regenerative Viticulture Association: RVA Certification • Regenerative Viticulture Association.
What is the Regenerative Viticulture Alliance certification?
The Regenerative Viticulture Certification, known as the Regenerative Viticulture Alliance (RVA), is an initiative of the Regenerative Viticulture Association, which has an international scope and demonstrates its global commitment to promoting sustainable cultivation practices.
Within the field of regenerative viticulture, the Association of Regenerative Viticulture (AVR) establishes two distinctive certification levels: TRANSITION and CERTIFIED. The objective of this classification is twofold: on the one hand, to recognize and value the efforts of winegrowers to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation practices; and on the other hand, to provide consumers with transparent information on the production methods of the wines they choose.
The TRANSITION seal is awarded to those that have begun to implement regenerative practices, marking an initial commitment and a stage of transition towards agricultural techniques that promote soil health and biodiversity. One of the most relevant practices at this level is vegetation cover: it is required to reach a minimum of 50% of the total production area during the first year, and in 6 years a minimum of 75% of the total production area.
In contrast, the CERTIFIED seal is reserved for wineries and viticultures that have fully incorporated these regenerative practices, evidencing significant improvements in soil health and conservation of the natural environment. For this level, complete vegetation cover is required: at least 75% of the total production area. This difference in vegetation cover is a clear example of the distinction between the two seals. The rest of the practices and differences can be consulted in the certification standard posted on our website.
To achieve the TRANSITION and CERTIFIED seal, it is essential for wineries to have an organic certificate or, at least, complies with the established organic practices. If the winery does not have the organic seal, a double audit will be carried out that will cover both ecological and regenerative aspects. This audit process is carried out in collaboration with Ecocert, a prestigious auditing company recognized for its expertise in sustainability.
The decision to establish these two levels of certification reflects the understanding that the path to regeneration is not easy and requires a firm and progressive commitment. In addition, this certification structure represents an advance over organic farming, requiring a higher level of sustainable and transparent practices.