Good, Sustainable, and EQUALITAS Certified

Interview with Federica Candellori and Pierluigi Moreschini
Between the preparations for the grape harvest and the conclusion of the reaping, we managed to catch up with Federica Candellori (a member of our Winery and Agricultural Technician) and Pierluigi Moreschini (a member of the Winery and a Board of Directors member), who, along with the rest of the team, oversaw all the necessary steps to obtain the EQUALITAS Certification. Our winery is one of the few in the Marche region to have achieved this sustainability certification specifically dedicated to the wine industry.  

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Question: Pierluigi, let's start from the beginning. How did the Winery decide to embark on the path that led to the EQUALITAS Certification?

Pierluigi Moreschini: A company is sustainable when it safeguards the future of new generations. So, a company that looks to the future as Colli Ripani does couldn't be otherwise. We have long been attentive to sustainability issues and aware of the increasing consumer sensitivity to this topic. That's why we decided to adopt the EQUALITAS Certification. The goal is to enhance our products to achieve a better market position, with the primary objective of improving the remuneration for the grapes contributed by our members. The certification's purpose is also to improve practices related to environmental and social sustainability.  

Q.: Federica, but what is this certification exactly?
Federica Candellori: The EQUALITAS Certification is a standard that focuses on sustainability in the wine sector and aims to establish a uniform and shared vision among industry businesses. The standard, a set of rules, defines requirements underthree pillars: social, environmental, and economic. cThese pillars ensure the ability to create wealth for oneself and the community, the ability to respect human and labor rights, and the ability to maintain resource reproducibility, respectively. Business sustainability efforts are further highlighted by the publication of the Sustainability Report.  

Q.: Pierluigi, can you tell us about any significant changes the winery had to make?
P.M.: As mentioned earlier, our Winery has been attentive to sustainability practices for years, so there were few changes to be made to obtain the Certification. We realized that, in reality, we were already sustainable, and to obtain the certification, we needed to make some adjustments and complete the required bureaucratic procedures. Photovoltaic systems, machinery with 4.0 technologies, insulation, ozone machines, Enogis management software, technical assistance projects, the choice of recyclable and environmentally friendly materials, collaboration with the Anffas Non-Profit Cooperative, and the promotion of activities related to the local area are just a few examples of the choices made in this direction.

Q.: Federica, we're back to you. Earlier, you mentioned the Sustainability Report. What is it, and what is its purpose?
F.C.: It's a document prepared annually by the company with the aim of reporting on sustainability-related activities. It includes achieved goals and planned improvements to be implemented in the coming years. We are very proud of our Sustainability Report, as it describes pthe social practices we adhere to and the improvements made to keep our winery young and vibrant. I want to emphasize that obtaining this important Certification is thanks to all the Cooperative members who have believed in and supported it for fifty-four years. Thanks to all the employees who have collaborated and worked hard to make this happen.

Q.: Pierluigi, what will happen in the coming years?
P.M.: The Cantina dei Colli Ripani will continue to make choices in the direction of sustainability. The future will involve extending certification to the entire production process. It is a societal and historical necessity. European, and to some extent, global policies are examples of this. Notably, to access certain national and international markets, having the EQUALITAS Certification is a fundamental requirement. The choice to move in this direction is also driven by the cooperative's social purpose, which is to ensure a dignified present and future for current and future generations. As a member of the Board of Directors, I add my thanks to Federica's. I thank everyone who actively participated in the realization of this project, especially our technicians. I also thank our members, employees, and those associated with our winery, as this achievement was possible thanks to everyone's efforts, and with everyone's commitment, we will be able to maintain it over time. I want to emphasize that we are one of the first wineries in the Marche region to have reached this important milestone, which represents significant recognition for our Cooperative and another source of pride for all of us members. I feel that we are part of something great, beautiful, and useful.

Thank you both for the time you have dedicated to us, and good work.

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