The VINEYARD indicator expresses an evaluation on sustainability performance through the analysis of six sub-indicators: defence, fertilization, compaction, organic matter, erosion, and landscape. In particular, it analyses:

• he environmental risk deriving from the use of agro-pharmaceuticals in the light of the chemical properties and eco-toxicological limits, evaluating their potential impact depending on the type of soil of the company and the hydrogeological and meteorological characteristics of the area;
• he use of organic and mineral fertilizers, evaluating the potentially harmful effects such as the excess of nutrients in the soil and the contamination of water outlets. It also evaluates the effects on biodiversity as a function of the percentage of organic matter, the physical characteristics of the soil, the C/N ratio, the N, P2O5 and K2O content and the methodologies of spreading the fertilizers;
• problems relating to soil compaction resulting from cultivation operations, with particular reference to the use of agricultural machinery and the beating action of rain;
• the evolution of organic substance in the soil as a result of the management practices;
• soil losses caused by erosion in relation to agronomic management practices and the use of agricultural machinery;
• the influence of agronomic management practices adopted on biodiversity.

The use of this indicator allows to rationalize the agronomic management of the vineyard by pursuing quality and land management objectives while respecting the environment.

The main methodological references used are Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides and the guidelines of the OIV defined by the CST 1-2008 guide.