HVE certification (meaning “high environmental value”) is awarded to farmers/winegrowers who choose to take a “reasoned” approach to their work, from wine cultivation to bottling. This certification promotes good, environmentally friendly practices across three levels:
- Level 1 : This level certifies that growers have a basic knowledge of “sustainable” cultivation.
- Level 2 : This level is achieved if the grower adheres to 16 environmental standards.
- Level 3 : This level is based on the measurement of indicators such as respect for biodiversity, a strategy regarding insect pests, and sound management of fertiliser and irrigation.
Levels 2 and 3 are certified by a certifying body approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.