Tenuta Parco dei Monaci (Monks Park Estate) is a "Green Farm", adopting an environmentally sustainable approach in all business areas: from the vineyard to the winery. Natural resources are used at a rate that can be naturally renewed. Tenuta Parco dei Monaci is adopting European standards of organic farming, certified by an internationally accredited organization.

ENERGY

Tenuta Parco dei Monaci, like any other winery, requires large amounts of electricity and thermal energy. The Estate has abandoned the use of fossil fuels and employs renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. These systems together cover over 90% of the company energy requirements. The solar panels are fully integrated into the roof with no visual impact.
 

Tenuta Parco dei Monaci: south elevation, the small parapet conceals the solar systems (detail)

NUTRITION

Tenuta Parco dei Monaci applies a protocol of organic fertilizer. To renew soil fertility in a sustainable way, the Estate returns to the vineyard pruning and grapes waste: branches, marc, lees. During autumn the soil is not plowed and the grass grows spontaneously. That will be shredded at the end of winter and buried along with guano or manure.
 

Tenuta Parco dei Monaci: vineyards in autumn, with manure and spontaneous grass

WATER BALANCE

Although vine is a drought-resistant plant, it needs at least 300mm of rain from budding to harvest. Therefore, in an era of climate changes, irrigation is sometimes necessary during the driest summers. In Italy more than 60% of fresh water is intended for use in agriculture, and a considerable amount is wasted by inefficient irrigation systems. Tenuta Parco dei Monaci has installed a modern drip irrigation system that employs nearly half of the water balance of traditional systems.
 

Tenuta Parco dei Monaci drip irrigation system: water only where and when needed

CROP PROTECTION

Tenuta Parco dei Monaci implements an organic crop protection program, with the only use of natural defenses. To prevent soil and groundwater pollution, the Estate employs the technique of low volume distribution. Using 400 liters of water per hectare against 1.000, you achieve finer drops against the target, without drip or drift.
 

Organic crop protection coupled with low volume distribution technique: finer drops against target, without drip or drift