A pioneering project that combines winemaking tradition and sustainable innovation in the Empordà region
Vins i Caves Perelada is an internationally recognized winery that has always been motivated by a vocation for making great wines and a commitment to innovation. The blend of these values culminated in 2021 in the construction of a winery integrated into the farm that stands out for its architectural purity and respect for the landscape.
The new winery has quickly moved to the forefront of European winemaking by being the first to obtain LEED GOLD environmental and energy certification, thanks to the high standards of sustainability and efficiency in its construction, operation and maintenance. ERF-WATTEGA participated as responsible for the winery’s environmental and energy optimization and environmental certification.
The key strategies for achieving GOLD status were landscape integration, minimal water consumption, low energy consumption and the use of low-impact materials.
Respect for the landscape and emotional experience
The integration of the landscape is achieved formally and chromatically with the partial undergrounding of the winery and the adaptation to the relief, creating outdoor spaces with permeable soils and native plant species or those adapted to the Mediterranean climate with minimum water consumption., 90% below the usual gardening. The respect for the landscape and the emotional experience for the visitor have been the pillars that have marked the foundations of the project.
LEED GOLD Certification
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification voluntary energy and environmental grantedby theU.S. Green Building Council. Provides a framework for identifying and implementing sustainable solutions during all phases of a building’s life: design, construction, operation and maintenance. In the case of the winery Perelada, they have gone one step further by obtaining the certification LEED GOLD thanks to several key parameters:
- Water management. Rainwater is managed with a 700m³ storage tank and a drainage network facilitates the infiltration of water into the subsoil within the plot itself. Thus, the natural water cycle is favored while reducing the saturation of sewage and wastewater treatment plants. The captured and reclaimed water is used for irrigation and toilets. In addition to the low potable water consumption facilities, a 75% reduction in consumption in non-productive uses is expected compared to a standard building.
- Architectural design. Designed to reduce energy consumption, the winery and farm have a high level of thermal insulation that achieves 37% of savings compared to other buildings. Compactness, partial undergrounding and minimal exposure to the outside environment result in low energy consumption. The farm’s argon double-glazed windows reduce heating demand in winter, and the horizontal wooden louvers control solar radiation in summer.
- Geothermal interaction. The winery’s foundations include 538 piles, of which 331 are used as heat exchangers, reducing energy consumption for heating, cooling and hot water, as well as their associated pollutant emissions.
- Lighting and energy. Use of energy-efficient LED technology and natural light, as well as a 100% renewable energy supply.
- Materials selection. Preference for recycled and locally manufactured materials, with FSC certified wood. The materials and paints ensure high air quality by having very low volatile organic compound (VOC) contaminants.
Integration into the landscape and zero environmental impact
The winery is adapted to the terrain, respecting the landscape and allowing the winemaking process with a gravity flow. The building also incorporates elements that improve the quality of the environment., like parking spaces for low-emission vehicles, charging points for electric vehicles and bicycle parking spaces. In addition, the design of the exteriors maximizes open space
Biodiversity commitment
The new green facilities increase the ecosystem for the more than 30 pairs of storks that have been nesting in the gardens of the Castell de Perelada since 1995.
This project not only represents a breakthrough in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency, but also a harmonious fusion between winemaking tradition and innovation, reaffirming Perelada’s commitment to the environment and the quality of its wines.