Sustainability as a business strategy in sicilian viniculture

This paper presents the results of a research study carried out into winemaking in Sicily, one of the most important regions nationwide in terms of surface area of planted grapevines, production output, and generated income. In particular, it focuses attention on the impact that adopting methodologies and tools for monitoring the sustainability of the production processes employed in the countryside and in the winery have had, following specific protocols supported by the main national institutions (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of the Environment, and the Regional Authority of Sicily). The methodology adopted - qualitative analysis based on the judgments and opinions, properly weighed, of the managers of wine companies revealed in face to face interviews – has made it possible to answer the question of the research: determining the potential applications, constraints, and opportunities of the principles of sustainability in viniculture. The relevance of the work carried out is, moreover, confirmed by the current turmoil in Europe, regarding the Product Environmental Footprint of Wine of the European Commission, which has the objective of creating a standard of reference for the application of the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) studies for the viticulture sector. KEYWORDS