At González Byass we are firmly committed to sustainability. A commitment that includes the five generations of the family who have led the company to the present day and the next five who will continue with the mission. Forward-looking actions today.
Sustainability
5+5 Caring for the Planet
1. We care for the land we work
We have more than 2,000 hectares under vine in nine different wine-growing regions of Spain, Chile and Mexico, where we deploy sustainable agriculture techniques and use biological plant health treatment products. We are also bringing grape varieties that are indigenous to each area back into production, whilst protecting the flora and fauna that live there.
2. We care for the planet and the air we breathe
In 2021, 16% of the energy used in our wineries will come from renewable sources and that will rise every year as the wineries roll out their sustainability plans. The remaining energy is acquired from suppliers that are certified as using renewable sources. We have installed solar panels, biomass boilers and geothermal and aerothermal systems as well as implementing energy efficiency measures to reduce energy consumption as much as possible.
3. We care for water
One of our aims is to achieve savings in our use of water, and to this end we use deficit irrigation techniques. In the wineries, we have closed water circuits to prevent losses and, where possible, the roof of the winery is used to collect rainwater to use for maintenance purposes.
4. We work to do more
We want all our suppliers to be involved in this project. We send them our sustainability target list and carry out an annual assessment of how sustainable they are, then send them the results to inspire them to carry on developing in this area. Right now, 75% of our suppliers are sustainable but our aspiration is for this number to rise year on year as we work with them, especially in the field of innovation, where the many contributions they make help us improve the sustainability of our products overall.
5. We work to be better
We are constantly seeking to improve our processes, staff and surroundings. Back in 1955, Mauricio González-Gordon Díez founded Cidima (Quality, Research, Development and the Environment), the first in-company research centre in Spain.
Proyectos 5+5
Sustainability
González Byass’ “Vineyard Angel” project to recover two unique vineyards in the heart of Penedès
For the second year running, Vineyard Angel (Ángel de Viñas) will rescue two unique vineyards in the Espiells area, Alto Penedés region: the initiative is designed to recover and care for old vineyards on the verge of extinction.
“Vinyard Angel” is an initiative that González Byass and its Foundation have devised in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Madrid to retrieve, preserve, look after and maintain old vineyards that are on the brink of extinction. All with the aim of preventing loss of biodiversity, tradition, culture and history.
González Byass forges ahead with sustainable electric mobility
12 González Byass wineries and production facilities located in Spain are set to have free charging points installed for electric vehicles. The initiative is the González Byass Family of Wines and Spirits’ way of making a tiny contribution to the move towards sustainable electric mobility in Spain.
González Byass creates “GBknowit”, a training environment for its team
González Byass has created a latest generation global learning ecosystem designed to deliver training and professional development for its teams located in Spain, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the United States, Chile, China and Germany. Known as “GBknowit”, the platform can provide users with the training they need to consolidate or acquire the knowledge and tools to convert their ideas into actions.
González Byass launches ifeel to become pioneering Spanish winery in care for employees’ emotional wellbeing
González Byass has introduced a programme called ifeel, a holistic psychological support platform designed to look after, improve, and strengthen the emotional wellbeing of its people both in Spain and in its subsidiaries around the world.