SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Sustainability
2re0p18oretdition





INDEX 3

4 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

Index

7 Presentation by the President of Gruppo Mezzacorona
9 Foreword
10 Mezzacorona and the objectives of sustainable development

14 1. The roots of our future
15 114 years of achieved goals
17 Vision
19 Gruppo Mezzacorona
21 The materiality matrix
23 Viticulture at the highest technical level
Social sustainability
The corporate climate
The inestimable value of water and of biodiversity

26 2. Gruppo Mezzacorona
28 Governance
29 Production process value
31 Sustainability: a path from the land to the bottle
33 30 years of tangible commitment
34 Organic farming of vineyards in Sicily
38 Social Performance
39 Sustainable wine growing and wine making production
42 Moving towards a circular economy

44 3. The storytelling
45 Mezzacorona tells Trentino’s story
47 Visits and hospitality
49 Holistic communication
51 Recognition



6 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

PRESENTATION BY THE PRESIDENT 7

Presentation by the President
of Gruppo Mezzacorona

The second edition of the Gruppo world markets and with globalisation,
Mezzacorona Sustainability Report exalting the strong identity of Trentino’s
confirms the corporate will to proceed agricultural personality.
decisively down the path of an ever The soul of Gruppo Mezzacorona is
more complete account of the impact represented by an entrepreneurial and
of its activity in economic, social and commercial activity conducted with
environmental terms. competency, responsibility, reciprocity,
This document represents the will openness to the world, determination
to continue to report what has been and organisation, with the aim of creating
done for the territory and for the local long- and medium-term prosperity
community and at the same time and opportunities for its members and
to measure, based on universally employees and for the territory.
recognized scientific factors, the We have never neglected this
effectiveness and the efficiency of an profoundly ethical mission. Indeed, over
enterprise whose heart and DNA are the years, thanks to the commitment of
firmly set on cooperation. generations of members, it has become
Gruppo Mezzacorona, since the the engine of a constant entrepreneurial
foundation of the parent company success that has taken the company to
Cantina Sociale di Mezzocorona become a leader in Italy in the wine-
cooperative winery in 1904, has as the making field and protagonist of the
center of its mission the objective of development of the Trentino territory.
serving its members and of promoting Thenumbersexpressthisentrepreneurial
their commercial and social realisation success very clearly.
and the development and growth of the To date, Gruppo Mezzacorona has
region. over 1,600 members, 472 employees,
A strong ‘social pact’ that has resisted 2,600 hectares managed in Trentino
over time, capable of adapting to the Alto Adige and almost 1,000 hectares
new challenges brought on by society, in Sicily. The turnover in 2017 reached
culture, consumerism and technology almost 185 million Euro, an absolute
but equally agile in overcoming the company record, 80% of which coming
many vicissitudes and situations, some from exports to more than 60 countries
of which extremely demanding, that it in the world over a well-organized and
has faced in these nearly 115 years of efficient marketing network.
history. Great effort has been made to spark
A training ground of cooperation constant production innovation
shared and weaved within the and improvement of the company’s
life of the Rotaliana and Trentino performance, first and foremost by
communities, an experience that has promoting cultural education and
proved indispensable for competing in technical training of the members,

8 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

employees and human resources in members of Gruppo Mezzacorona,
general. already involved in recent decades in
But the real challenge of today and the application of the Memorandum of
tomorrow is sustainability, which brings Understanding that has allowed us to
together into a single dimension the build a path towards that excellence and
farmermembersaswellastheconsumers, quality that is so effective and successful
in an interdependent and mutually for our products and our environment.
interesting relationship, a challenge There is, however, a much wider concept
that sees Gruppo Mezzacorona more of sustainability that this report wants to
than ready to tackle its international express, much more far-reaching that
entrepreneurial competitors. the concepts of a traditional annual
Consumers are increasingly demanding corporate report, namely the capacity to
the guarantee of healthy products, and fully account for the richness of life and
there is a collective need of greater activity of an enterprise, even more so if
information and knowledge to defend it is a cooperative.
health issues, and it is also important I believe that this second edition
for farmer members to be assured of represents a further, significant step
working in safe conditions. in the constant growth of Gruppo
This realisation, stemming from a Mezzacorona and will certainly also
responsible and shared commitment, be very useful for the stakeholders
this will to not be only an entrepreneurial in helping them fully understand the
entity but also an economic and social reality of Gruppo Mezzacorona and its
entity creating positive external actions, multifaceted activities.
has transformed the commitment for I would like to thank the Trentino Green
sustainability of our production into a Network company for its invaluable
visible, verifiable reality also thanks to the assistance and highly qualified support
SQNPI (Italian National Quality System and I wish you all happy reading!
for Integrated Farming) Certification.
This goal has made it possible to fully The President
enhance the efforts of the farmer
Dott. Luca Rigotti

FOREWORD 9

Foreword

With the 2018 edition of the Sustainability Furthermore, within the sustainability
Report, Gruppo Mezzacorona brings context, in these two years the Group has
forward the biennial reporting process worked on other fronts: on the one hand
inaugurated in 2016. In addition to the the progressive reconversion to organic
presence of our Sicilian companies farming of the vineyards in Sicily and of
Villa Albius Sarl and Solsicano Sarl, part of its apple production in Trentino;
the report is enriched with some on the other, the safeguarding and
important strategically relevant new enhancement of enological excellences
items. At the end of 2016 a new tour in Trentino via the “Mosaico” project.
itinerary in the Wine Citadel called “Le These two years have also been
radici del nostro futuro” (“The roots of important for the consolidation of
our future”) was inaugurated, which, the company, as can be seen by the
based on the research carried out by “internal listening” survey conducted
the historian Leone Melchiori, aims to by sociologist Nadio Delai with the
spread knowledge on and promote the objective of sounding out the employees
enological tradition and the productive, regarding their assimilation on a cultural
economic, social and environmental level of the new corporate phase and
peculiarities of the Rotaliana cooperative their involvement in the orientation for
and of the local territory. the future.
In 2017, Gruppo Mezzacorona obtained Another very significant feature is the
for the second consecutive year the impact of the climate changes that
SQNPI Ministerial certification which has determined the early ripening of
guarantees the sustainable wine the produce and consequently the
production chain resulting from a virtuous company’s decision to close the farming
path from the land to the bottle. It is a year one month in advance, on 31st July
unique example in Italy of coordination every year, as in the farming year 2015-
for the Sustainable Integrated Quality 2016.
production of thousands of farmers,
all the more important because it
refers to a composite farm reality
present in the entire Trentino region.
Another important goal was the GRASP
Certification obtained by the Valentina
fruit consortium, a certificate additional
to the GLOBAL CAP standard, focusing
on the assessment of the social aspects
related to the activity of farm workers.

10 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

Mezzacorona and the
objectives of sustainable
development

On 25 September 2015 the General implementation of multi-stakeholder
Assembly of the United Nations collaboration projects. Gruppo
defined a Global Action Programme for Mezzacorona singled out the objectives
Sustainable Development focusing on related to its activity and illustrates in
17 objectives. All companies are asked the following list what it has already
to contribute via responsible business achieved within its plan for continuous
models, investments, innovation, improvement.
technological development and the

MEZZACORONA AND THE OBJECTIVES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 11

Gruppo Mezzacorona supports the diffusion of sustainable farming practices by its
members and suppliers and invests in research activities to reduce environmental
impact and its effects on the health of its member farmers. It is committed to reducing
the use of agrochemicals through the practice of integrated pest management - 30-
year old by now and ever more widespread - and is proceeding with the progressive
conversion to organic farming by 2020 of its vineyards in Sicily, as well as promoting
the reinforcement of organic farming in the fruit growing sector.
Mezzacorona also protects consumer health and undertakes to communicate
nutritional information clearly and transparently, beyond law obligations, by means of
the Ministerial Certification SQNPI which guarantees product traceability from grape
to bottle.

The Group is constantly working to improve the quality of waste waters to preserve
hydro-geological systems.

To this end, it has invested in the installation of very efficient purifiers and pays great
attention to their operation and maintenance; it selects and purchases detergents
for the hygiene of the work areas following precise environment-friendly criteria, in
particular their biodegradability; it informs and encourages its employees to reduce
water consumption in the productive process.

Mezzacorona’s primary objective is to use renewable energy sources.

The Group has invested in photovoltaic and solar thermal systems in all its production
sites. It uses the best technologies available to increase energy efficiency and monitors
the production carefully to reduce consumption. Moreover, its power supplier uses an
energy production mix coming from 100% renewable sources.

Mezzacorona’s sustainable and productive development is based on the creation of
local employment, on the enhancement of the wine production tradition and on the
choice of suppliers in the territory.

Mezzacorona’s main objectives include the entrepreneurial and cultural growth of
its members, ongoing training of employees to improve production quality and the
marketing of wine and apples all over the world.

Moreover, Gruppo Mezzacorona pursues continuous improvement and control of
risks in social practices.

Part of Gruppo Mezzacorona’s vision consists in the realisation of resilient infrastructures
and the promotion of fair, responsible and sustainable industrialisation. Tangible
proof of this vision is the production site called ‘Cittadella del Vino’ (Wine Citadel), an
architectural complex fruit of a careful industrial reconversion carried out according to
the principles of bio-architecture.

12 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

Gruppo Mezzacorona works for the efficient management of natural resources and
energy in the development of its products. It commits to reducing packaging and the
quantities of raw products used (glass for bottles, for example).
It actuates and researches technologies to improve the production and consumption
processes, favouring the use of renewable energies and reducing waste.

The Group aligns the strategy of social responsibility with Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) and singles out those related to its business in order to give them priority;
it also includes them in this Sustainability Report. To this end, it defines alliances and
collaborations with the public sector, the local community, the universities and other
enterprises, aligning its corporate objectives with this new global agenda.

1. THE ROOTS OF OUR FUTURE 13

14 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

1. The roots
of our future

1. THE ROOTS OF OUR FUTURE 15

114 years of achieved goals

1904 1911 1922 1970

CANTINA SOCIALE DI LEGA DEI CONTADINI CANTINA THE CANTINA SOCIALE
MEZZOCORONA DI MEZZOCORONA PRODUTTORI DI COOPERATIVA DI
MEZZOCORONA MEZZOCORONA
Eleven founding members The second cooperative is founded
establish the first winemaking that defends the small-size The third cooperative - the The two main wine-growing and
cooperative of Mezzocorona. producers: the Farmers’ Association. winemak ers’ cooperative - is wine-making cooperatives of
founded with purposes similar to Mezzocorona, Cantina Sociale and
those of the previous two. Lega dei Contadini, unite to create
a new entity.

2000 1998 1997

THE VINIFICATION NOSIO SPA CANTINA ROTARI
CELLARS
Through the manifest will to This is the first completed lot of
IntheCittadelladelVino(WineCitadel) encourage the participation of the the Wine Citadel, an enchanting
a vinification cellar is built which, community in the development of structure for the production of
togetherwiththeArcocellar,becomes the company, the members’ the Rotari spumante, open to
the hub for collection, transformation General Meeting of Cantine wine tourism and to events.
andrefiningofthewine. Mezzacorona deliberate the
creation of NosioSpA as marketing
and financial division of the Group,
with the lien of keeping the
majority of the stock capital firmly
in the hands of the Cooperative.

2001 2004 2006

THE SICILY PROJECT CENTENARY OF THE MERGER WITH
FOUNDATION: CONSORZIO VAL
Considering the strong demand INAUGURATION OF D’ADIGE
of international markets for PALAROTARI
wines coming from hot-dry The social and economic stability of
climates, Gruppo Mezzacorona The spumante winery and the the region is an important objective
launches the Sicily project, also vinification cellar are joined by the for Mezzacorona; hence the merger
with a view to fully exploiting the bottling, storage and dispatching with the Consorzio Valdadige
company’s wine product sales rooms, thus optimising the consortium.
and marketing structure by various wine processing phases
expanding production. Thus, and opening the doors to the
Solsicano sarl in 2001 and Villa business hub of the winery and of
Albius sarl in 2003 thus become its subsidiaries; but above all,
the companies in which Gruppo ‘PalaRotari’ is inaugurated: a
Mezzacorona expresses its large multifunctional auditorium
efficiency and innovation in designed to host important
Sicily. events and conferences.

16 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

1971 1977 1987

TEROLDEGO ROTARI SPUMANTE USA MARKET
ROTALIANO DOC
In the area of the former In the USA, the Prestige Wine
After a decade of debate over the law winemaking cooperative the first Imports corporation is purchased
in defence of classic wines, Teroldego corporate spumante winery is with the aim of expanding into the
Rotaliano finally receives concrete founded with the launching of the strongly growing American market.
recognition, with the awarding of the production of the “Rotari” Metodo
Controlled Designation of Origin to a Classico spumante that valorises 1988
wine that would become the symbol some interesting cultivars, first and
of Cantina Sociale di Mezzocorona. foremost the Chardonnay.
That same year the first bottle of
Teroldego Rotaliano Doc - the 1993
absolute first in Trentino – is launched
on the market.

1994-1995

PARTNERSHIPS WITH PURCHASE OF THE THE BIRTH OF
THE WINEMAKING ‘EX SAMATEC’ AREA: CANTINE
COOPERATIVES OF THE ‘CITTADELLA DEL MEZZACORONA
SALORNO AND ALA VINO’ PROJECT
The 137 members of Cooperativa
An alliance is made with two The communion of agricultural Produttori merge with the 630
significant wineries, Cantina di produce quality, local community members of Cantina Sociale. This is
Salorno (1994) and Cantina Sociale and terroir is a fundamental aspect the last merger between local
di Ala (1995) that also become, as in which Cantine Mezzacorona cooperatives. The aim is to operate
such, members of Cantine have always believed, cultivating within the wine industry with
Mezzacorona, while maintaining and advocating the awareness of its greater homogeneity, and thereby
their full administrative autonomy. existence. This vision turns into a develop an organisation based on
large town-planning reorganization quality, returning the benefits back
project on the ‘ex-Samatec’ area, onto the local community and
once a highly problematic industrial meeting the demands of a strongly
district that is completely competitive global market. Thus
redesigned to become the the birth of ‘Cantine Mezzacorona’
‘Cittadella del Vino’ (Wine Citadel). in its current location.

2009 2010 2016 2017

THE NEW FRUIT COMPLETION OF THE NEW HISTORICAL CERTIFICATION OF
WAREHOUSE “MELA WINE CITADEL MUSEUM TOUR: “THE SUSTAINABLE QUALITY
VALENTINA” ROOTS OF OUR OF WINE: SQNPI
The launching of an innovative FUTURE”
Focus on context and on the and efficient bottling structure For the second consecutive year
efficient placing of production sites is that outputs 15 thousand bottles A new tour is inaugurated in the the members of Gruppo
reinforced with the installation in the per hour, and the addition of an Wine Citadel that, by tracing the Mezzacorona receive the SQNPI –
heart of the town of Mezzocorona adjoining wine processing cellar historical steps of the tradition Italian Integrated Farming Quality
of an apple processing and storage mark the completion of the and culture of wine in the Piana System certificate - a ministerial
warehouse that is state of the art in works in the Wine Citadel area. Rotaliana and especially in certification guaranteeing the
terms of production processes. Mezzocorona, takes visitors to sustainable production chain of
see the original oak barrel cellar. wines from the land to the bottle -
joined by other quality
certifications, such as the GRASP
certification obtained by Consorzio
Frutticolo Valentina, certifying the
control of risks in social farming
practices, and the inception of the
Smeta Certification attesting the
application of ethical criteria along
the supply chain.

1. THE ROOTS OF OUR FUTURE 17

Vision 2

1 Be the No. 1 choice as
concerns brand and
Only one way of doing products, fruit of the
business: sharing while Trentino terroir
taking care of the land
Cultivate the palates, the minds and the
Reward the work of the members and increa- hearts of people, bringing into their lives the
se positive external relations; well-being and the joy of tasting a good wine
be the ambassadors of Trentino’s identity, every day;
values and wine-growing culture; reach excellent product performance, putting
be a great cooperative group for which the needs of customers and consumers first;
working means promoting well-balanced and innovate and propose a product with a strong
sustainable lifestyles; quality imprint and an excellent environmen-
promote responsible actions, commitment tal sustainability profile, ensuring safety from
and a result-oriented leadership. the field to the table;
valorise the brand in order to transmit values
and a sense of belonging to people;
promote with perseverance the expansion on
foreign markets by setting a winning and
dynamic example.

18 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

3

Be winners and
recognisable on
the market

Improve competitiveness by increasing the
levels of effectiveness, simplification and dyna-
mism;
be recognized by customers as being
suppliers of a reliable product, a guarantee of
quality and healthiness.

4

Pursue continuous
improvement

Work with seriousness and professionalism in
full respect of the people, the product and
the environment;
encourage open, transparent and attentive
collaboration with the communities Mezza-
corona works in.

1. THE ROOTS OF OUR FUTURE 19

Gruppo Mezzacorona

MEZZACORONA SCA PRODUCER MEMBERS 1,600

YEARS OF HISTORY 114

MEZZACORONA GROUP TURNOVER € 185 mln
+10 Million
compared to 2014/2015

WORLD COUNTRIES IN WHICH 60
THE GROUP IS PRESENT

MEZZACORONA GROUP EMPLOYEES 472
424 in Itally

EMPLOYEES UNDER 111
35 YEARS OF AGE € 27,5mln
FOR THE SUPPLIERS OF NOSIO SPA
AND MEZZACORONA SCA IN +3.5 Million
TRENTINO-SOUTH TYROL compared to 2014/15

20 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

Trentino Alto Adige Sicily

2,617 76,6% 23,4% 619
72,6% 27,4%
HECTARES OF VINEYARDS 68,4% 31,6% HECTARES OF VINEYARDS

35,913,200 9,830,600

KG OF GRAPES KG OF GRAPES

(+1,300 thousand kilograms compared to 2014-2015) (+ 1,000 thousand kilograms compared to 2014-2015)

290 134

EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES

30,777,300 9

KG OF APPLES ARTIFICIAL WATER RESERVOIRS

(+2100 thousand kilograms compared to 2014-2015)

554

HECTARES OF APPLES

48

MILLION BOTTLES

(+ 3 million compared to 2014-2015)

Environment 60,000

1,850 LITRES OF HOT WATER A DAY FROM
SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS
MWh PER YEAR FROM
RENEWABLE ENERGY 65%

-789 COMPANY VEHICLES OF
THE LOW EMISSION TYPE
CO2

TONS OF CO2 THANKS TO

-2,282,200RENEWABLE INSTALLATIONS

KILOGRAMS GLASS BY USING
“LIGHT” BOTTLES

1. THE ROOTS OF OUR FUTURE 21

The materiality matrix

10

SAFEGUARDING BIODIVERSITY REMUNERATION OF MEMBERS
ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE
FARMING PRACTICES

9 EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND ONGOING EDUCATION ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

SUPPORT TO LOCAL COMMUNITY

Relevance for the stakeholders PRESENCE IN AND SEARCH FOR NEW MARKETS

8 REDUCTION OF WATER CONSUMPTION EMPLOYMENT

TRACEABILITY OF CULTIVATIONS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ON
AND PRODUCTION THE TERRITORY

RESEARCH OF NEW WINE PRODUCTIONS WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT AND
7 DIALOGUE WITHIN THE COMPANY

REDUCTION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION HEALTH AND SAFETY
IN THE WORKPLACE

MANAGEMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

NETWORK WITH WINE-MAKING PRODUCTION OF
PRODUCTION REALITIES IN TRENTINO RENEWABLE ENERGY

REDUCTION OF CO2 AND OTHER
POLLUTANTS
6
NEW PLANTS, PRODUCTION RECONCILIATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICIES
STRUCTURES, TOUR AREAS
DEVELOPMENT
REDUCTION OF RAW PRODUCTS OF NEW MAINTENANCE OF MACHINERY,
BRANDS TOOLS AND INSTALLATIONS

CONSUMERS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY

WASTE AND SPILL RISK REDUCTION
5 6 7 8 9 10

Relevance for Gruppo Mezzacorona

Economic features Environmental features Social features

22 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

VITICULTURE AT THE 1. THE ROOTS OF OUR FUTURE 23
HIGHEST TECHNICAL
LEVEL SOCIAL
SUSTAINABILITY
The most interesting feature singled out
by the Group and the stakeholders is the Confirmation that the original cooperation
awareness of the values linked with the structure remains equally central in the
mountains, indicated as the foundation corporate structure is manifest in the choice
element of the territory and of the peculiar of these meaningful aspects: “remuneration
wine-growing typology represented by to members”, “economic performance”,
Gruppo Mezzacorona. All these values “employment”. The stakeholders entrust
together, preserved in an Alpine environment the Group with the positive choice of the
representing a wide-spread natural heritage, governance model, as expressed in the words
are also expressed in the commitment to of Alessandro Regoli, director of WineNews,
foster enological research and the application interviewed by the media: “(the Group) has
of sustainable agriculture, starting from the established new market criteria capable of
social base of wine-growers through the combining the values of the past with the
qualified assistance regularly provided by the values of the future in a context of social
field technicians of Gruppo Mezzacorona. harmony and mutual help”.

THE CORPORATE THE INESTIMABLE VALUE
CLIMATE OF WATER AND OF
BIODIVERSITY
The snapshot composed by sociologist Nadio
Delai, after interviewing the employees and Directing our attention specifically to natural
the management, presents a situation featuring resources, the size and organisation of the
constant collaboration and a strong involvement Group must bear in mind above all the scarcity
with the Group. The full understanding of the value of water resources and their utilisation. Aware
of the company organisation complementing the that the entire production process requires
attention to its member wine-growers, as well as the a considerable amount of water, the Group
sharing of the most evolutionary product/market keeps its consumption constantly under
strategies and the growth of its external reputation control, managing it optimally with the use of
nationally and internationally, constitute a firm basis water purifiers and provision of new systems.
on which subsequent steps for further development The stakeholders also require that attention
can take place. be paid to the protection of “biodiversity”,
To the above considerations we can add the results intended as the variability of the living
of a company questionnaire, in which most of organisms included in the aquatic and ground
the interviewees answered that “a positive work ecosystems and in the ecological complexes
environment and dialogue within the organisation, they belong to. The Group invests, works and
training and ongoing education of the employees” protects through daily productive choices,
was a priority, thus agreeing with the peculiarity in the cultivation of the fields, in the care of
of the company, founded on a very wide base of green areas and protected species and via
land-owning cooperative members but with a solid the imposing upgrade of the ‘ex-Samatec’
corporate structure that qualifies the cooperative’s industrial site, transformed into a beautiful,
national and international dimension, while harmonious structure with low environmental
maintaining “support to the local community” as a impact, located in the valuable productive
central feature. complex called ‘Cittadella del Vino’ (Wine
Citadel).

24 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 25

26 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

2. Gruppo
Mezzacorona

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 27

28 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

Governance

PRIVATE

42,44% 57,56%
NOSIO
S.P.A.

9,5%
CASTELLO
DIQUERCETO

S.P.A.

TUSCANY

100% 55,02% 44,98% 99% 1% 87,70% 12,30%
SOLSICANO VILLA
BAVARIA PRESTIGE ALBIUS
WEINIMPORT WINEIMPORTS S.A.R.L. S.A.R.L.

GMBH CORP. SICILY SICILY

GERMANY U.S.A.

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 29

Production process value

· Offices - 4 stories · Wine processing cellar · Capacity 60,000 hl
· Garage · Wine storage cellar · Fermentation
· Shop · Bottling 1 line 6,000 bott./hr · Stabilising treatment
· PalaRotari · Tirage 10,000 bott./hr
1 line 12,000 bott./hr · Refermentation in the bottle
OFFICES AND · Finished product warehouse 8,000 pallet slots · Remuage
PALAROTARI · Dry products warehouse · Disgorgement 5,000 bott./hr
· Packaging for shipment
3rd LOT · Historical cellar

GRAPE BOTTLING
RECEIVING AND LINES
WINE-MAKING
3rd LOT
CELLAR
ROTARI ·
2nd LOT SPUMANTE

CELLAR
1st LOT

FORMER NEW
HEADQUARTERS BOTTLING LINE

CELLAR 4th LOT

· Grape capacity 25,000,000 kg · Storage/ageing of wine100,000 hl

· Weighing · Barrel cellar 2,000 high-quality oak barrels

· Unloading · Bag in box

· Crushing and stripping · Dry products warehouse

· Pressing · Capacity 9,000 hl
· Fermentation capacity 250,000 hl · Wine storage cellar
· Underground cellar for ageing/storage · Bottling 15,000 bott./hr
· Finished product warehouse 2,000 pallet sl
of 2,000 high-quality oak barrels

· Dry products warehouse

30 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

· Grape capacit 7,000,000 kg
· Weighing
· Unloading
· Crushing and stripping
· Fermentation 33,000 hl
· Shop

· Weighing ARCO
· Unloading CELLAR

· Meals served per · Storage in cells
year 80,291
· Post-harvest treatment
CAFETERIA
· Refrigeration

· Preservation in controlled atmosphere 78 cells

25,000,000 kg

· Selection

· Packaging 30,000,000 kg

· Finished product warehouse

· Packaging warehouse

FRUIT AND VILLA
VEGETABLE ALBIUS
WAREHOUSE
SICILY

SOLSICANO · Grape capacity 400,000 kg
SICILY · Weighing
· Unloading
· Crushing and stripping
· Pressing
· Fermentation 24,000 hl
· Finished product warehouse 22,000 hl

TRANSPORTATION · Grape capacity 300,000 kg
TO TRENTINO FOR · Weighing
BOTTLING · Unloading
· Crushing and stripping

· Pressing

lots · Fermentation 12,000 hl
· Ageing/storage 1,500 oak barrels

· Finished product warehouse 100,000 hl

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 31

Sustainability:
a path from the land to the bottle

Vineyards

CLIMATE THE VINEYARD LOCATION

Alpine, Continental Trentino Pergola In the heart of the
and Mediterranean Dolomites
Captures the sunrays and
The different microclimates the breeze like a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site.
guarantee wines having solar panel.
different characteristics
and sensory qualities.

VINEYARD GRAPE HARVEST SUSTAINABLE WINE-GROWING

100% property of 100% by hand manual pruning;
our members emergency irrigation;
Manual collection and highly specialised wine-growing;
selection of grape bunches. recycling of pruning by-products.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATING DISRUPTION INTEGRATED PRODUCTION
PROTECTION
Pheromones Gruppo Mezzacorona has been
600 hours/ha promoting alternative methods
Defense techniques to the use of pesticides
for sustainable cultivation, alternative to common for over 30 years.
as compared to the normal pesticides.
60 hours/ha of completely
mechanized vineyards

32 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

NATIONAL QUALITY SYSTEM OF
INTEGRATED PRODUCTION

Cellar

Natural daylight throughout Use of air conditioning systems Solar film on large glass
most of the cellar. for controlled conditioning. surfaces of the offices
and cellar.

AVANT-GARDE WINE- RECONVERSION OF 12 WASTE DISPOSAL
GROWING AND WINE- HECTARES OF
MAKING TECHNIQUES INDUSTRIAL LAND Almost all waste is recycled,
used for composting and energy
respecting and guaranteeing From industrial lot to "Cittadella recovery. Less than 2% is
the purest expression of the del vino" (“Wine Citadel”). non-recyclable waste.
territory in every single bunch.

UNDERGROUND CELLAR AGRONOMISTS RAW MATERIALS

75% of the cellar is 6 agronomists available 40% local suppliers in Trentino
underground 24 hours a day South Tyrol
68% local suppliers in Sicily
Cool temperatures and correct To guarantee quality and A drop in glass used equal to
humidity all year round uniformity from the Vineyard to 2,282 tons in 7 years
the bottle

LED LIGHTING SOLAR THERMAL WATER RE-CYCLING
ENERGY
LED lighting and light Use of biological purifiers
on/off control system. 278 panels with possibility of water recovery
683 m2 of surface area (more than 20k population
60,000 l a day at 45°C equivalent).

PHOTOVOLTAIC REDUCTION OF CO2
ENERGY EMISSION

1,478 kW of power 6.6% energy from
6 systems renewable sources
1,850 MWh expected 65% vehicle pool ≥ Euro 4
annual production

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 33

30 years of tangible commitment

1989 1983/87

Publication of a training/information volume about Re-introduction of copper in place of the synthetic
insects and their “natural” control, handed out to anti-downy mildew products, with the double benefit
all members. of saving useful mites and of eliminating the use of
anti-mite insecticides.
1991
1990
Introduction of the mating disruption practice against
the European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) on The Comitato Vitivinicolo Trentino (today known as
Consorzio dei Vini del Trentino), supported by the
13.7 hectares in the Sottodossi area, in the inhabited Autonomous Province of Trento, institutes the
area of Mezzocorona. The project involves 55 wine Self-discipline Protocol for wine-growing, which after
wine-growing members of Mezzacorona, the local subscription by the wine-growers becomes an
instrument containing rules and directions for
ESAT technician and the “Istituto Agrario di S. Michele “integrated” viticulture.
all’Adige”. The industrial pulverisation throughout
2000
Trentino, without the involvement of the cooperative
structures, would preclude application of this method. Publication distributed to the members about
knowledge and control of pathogenic fungi.
2001
2002
Extension of the mating disruption method against the
grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) to all Mezzacorona Mating disruption: introduction of the double sprayer
members. valid for two species of lepidoptera: the grapevine
moth (Lobesia botrana) and the vine moth (Eupoecilia
2009 ambiguella). In 2003 the mating disruption method is
applied to 9,700 hectares in Trentino.
Self-discipline Protocol: adoption of criteria for the
selection of the phyto-pharmaceuticals to be used in 2013
viticulture in Trentino, mainly aimed at safeguarding
Mating disruption: introduction of a triple diffuser for
the health of the wine-growers carrying out intense three species of lepidoptera, the grapevine moth
manual labour. (Lobesia botrana), the vine moth (Eupoecilia) and the
tortricid moth (Argyrotaenia ljungiana).
2016
2017
Through ‘Consorzio dei Vini del Trentino’, achievement
for the first year of the “Sustainable Quality” brand for Mating disruption is extended to about 500 hectares in
the production of grapes in compliance with the Italian the areas of Ala (Vallagarina) and Arco-Dro (Upper Lake
National Quality System for Integrated Farming (SQNPI). Garda area) for the vine mealybug (Planococus ficus)
which spreads to Trentino due to temperature rises and
climatic changes. This is possible thanks to the
successful experimentation carried out in the Sicilian
companies of the Group. In the same year, through
Consorzio dei Vini del Trentino, our wines are awarded
the “Sustainable Quality” brand in compliance with the
Italian National Quality System for Integrated Farming
(SQNPI).

34 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

Organic farming of
vineyards in Sicily

Ever since the first vineyards were planted are also allowed in organic farming, and
in the Sicilian estates of Solsicano Sarl by introducing good practices already
and Villa Albius Sarl, attention to the experimented in Trentino, such as the
environment and the quality of cultivation “mating disruption” method (which is
pushed Gruppo Mezzacorona to reduce applied both against Lobesia botrana
chemical treatments to a minimum, by and Planococcus ficus in 100% of the
using alternative techniques such as the wine-growing areas of these two farms.
correct use of copper and sulfur, which

ORGANIC WINE

The first European Regulation on the
production of organic food dates back to
1991 (Regulation 2092/91/EC), but the
sale of the first bottles of organic wine has
only started in 2012, when the techniques
of wine transformation were standardised
by Regulation 203/2012/ECE. Previously,
Regulation 834/2007/EC widened the
field of application of the certification,
extending it from organic grapes to
organic wine. Organic wine is a wine
guaranteeing the sustainable farming of
the soil and the vineyard, the use only
of products and fertilizers admitted for
farming and the respect of enological
products and processes established for
the transformation phases, such as the
maximum quantity of sulfites.

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 35

36 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 37

38 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

SOCIAL PERFORMANCE

• over 92.6% of the employees has been
hired on an open-ended contract and
85% of them come from Trentino South
Tyrol

• youth employment: 26% of the work
force is aged between 18 and 34

• female employment is at about 28.7% -
and is growing

• 40% of the suppliers of products and
services come from Trentino South Tyrol

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 39

SUSTAINABLE WINE
GROWING AND WINE
MAKING PRODUCTION

• the first cellar in Trentino and in Italy to
introduce integrated production systems
instead than phyto-pharmaceuticals to
defend the vines

• the placing underground of 75% of
the cellar makes it possible to achieve
significant energy savings and optimum
exploitation of natural light

• since 1995, over 11.2 million euros
were spent for environment-dedicated
investments.

40 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

2. GRUPPO MEZZACORONA 41

42 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

MOVING TOWARDS
A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

• photovoltaic energy amounts to 1850
MWh a year, corresponding to the
consumption of 685 families with

• 2sa3v4insgoslaorfp7a8n9eltsopnrsoodfuCceO62 0e,m00is0siloitnress
of water a day

• a drop of 2,282 tons of glass and 8
tons of glues

• 56% reduction in waste produced
since 2015

3. THE STORYTELLING 43

44 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

3. The
storytelling

“Mezzacorona has Trentino inside”: its wines
arise from an uncontaminated soil and an ideal
microclimate. The values of the territory – pureness,
sincerity, genuineness – are transferred to the brand
thanks to communication.

3. THE STORYTELLING 45

Mezzacorona
tellsTrentino’s story

Over the years, Mezzacorona has incre- provided the elements for the creation of
ased its will to tell the story of Trentino a new tour itinerary in the Wine Citadel:
to visitors and to narrate the brand from the story of the wine-making tradition in
the historical and cultural viewpoint. The Trentino, of which Mezzacorona is a re-
story, collected in the book “Cultura e presentative company since 1904. This
tradizione della vite a Mezzocorona” was made possible also thanks to the
(“The wine-growing culture and tradi- members who donated their grandpa-
tion in Mezzocorona”) by the historian rents’ farm tools.
Leone Melchiori, published in 2016, has

46 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

Thus, in the corporate video “Dove soffia “Mezzacorona ha il Trentino dentro”
forte il vino” (Where wines go strong) the (Mezzacorona has Trentino inside) is the
narration rests firmly on the work of all of leitmotiv of the visitor’s experience, who
the members, participating in a contem- along this museum itinerary deepens his
porary film set where they are represen- knowledge of the wines arising from an
ted while harvesting in the vineyards. uncontaminated land and an ideal mi-
The story of Mezzacorona is the story of croclimate. Moreover, the values of the
Trentino, in an inextricable web of va- territory - pureness, sincerity, genuine-
lues, faces, mountains, a story that co- ness – are narrated by the brand throu-
mes to life in the remarkable audio-visual gh a strong multichannel communica-
production: seventy multilingual videos tion strategy.
filmed over the past four years that di- Conviviality and the concept of “drink
sclose the values of the Group even for well every day” permeate Mezzacoro-
those who cannot visit the Wine Citadel na’s communication also via the social
in person. channels, inviting the ever more nu-
merous followers to pair wines with the
flavours of the highest gastronomic tra-
dition, together with an invitation to di-
scover Trentino.

The story of Trentino and of the brand
is told via a multimedia format and also
via various forms of hospitality. By me-
ans of events and guided visits, in 2017
more than 55 thousand people visited
the headquarters of the Group. Today
the Cittadella del Vino (Wine Citadel) is
one of the main tourist attractions of the
Trentino region and has obtained the
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for
the third consecutive year thanks to the
reviews of its visitors. This great success
can be attributed to the original features
of the complex designed by architect
Alberto Cecchetto of Venice at the be-
ginning of the nineties: a structure con-
ceived according to the most coherent
principles of eco-sustainability that pre-
serves its contemporary flair even twenty
years later. But the architecture is most
of all the container of a highly emotional
and cultural experience, carefully set out
for each visitor through a built-in structu-
re that personalises the visit and makes
it interesting and surprising: this is true
for all visitors, from enologists to wine
lovers, from tourists to students.

3. THE STORYTELLING 47

Visits
and hospitality

The vast structure, covering almost all ages and numbers, and are carefully
15 hectares, houses all of the grape tailored thanks to the experience of the
farming activities, the storehouses, the organizers and guides. Guided tours are
administration offices and an area for very important for Mezzacorona, whose
great events: PalaRotari. love of narration finds its ideal stage in
meeting with these visitors.
The Wine Citadel is a structure
conceived to blend in harmoniously The Cantina Storica (Historical Winery)
with the surrounding area: its evocative hosts different kinds of events: weddings,
“wavy” roof evokes the rippling anniversaries, baptisms, birthday
vineyards cultivated with the Trentino parties, meetings and conferences,
pergola method, typical to this area. company lunches and dinners. In fact,
The Citadel is made up by the Cantina 80% of the events organized by Gruppo
Rotari, the grape receiving and wine- Mezzacorona are held in this picturesque
making area, PalaRotari, a 4 thousand location, whereas the rest of the events
square metre exhibition area and all the are held at PalaRotari. In 2017, 150 events
related production and logistics areas. took place there, drawing a total of over
30 thousand visitors. PalaRotari, one of
In 2016-2017, 593 guided tours were the largest structures in Trentino, is a
organised, increasing constantly modern auditorium which can hold up
compared to previous years (+23% in to 1,200 people. It hosts mainly company
2014-2015) for a total of 10 thousand meetings and some important events
participants. Over these years, in of the territory, such as music shows,
which the total number of visitors has exhibitions, company congresses,
also increased, there has been more conferences and theatre performances.
opportunity for wine-tasting and pairing The Caveaux (cellars), both of Rotari
of wine with foods for different price spumante and Mezzacorona wines, are
ranges. The new 2017 wine-tasting particularly evocative and appreciated;
events were chosen by 30% of the they are special places where the most
visitors, which indicates the growth in fascinating features of the Group’s
quality profile of the visitors themselves. products are exalted.
The guided tours (in Italian, English,
German and French) are available only by
advance booking for groups of visitors of

48 — SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 EDITION
MEZZACORONA GROUP

The Wine Citadel is used for exhibitions initiatives Trenino dei Castelli and
and fairs that are very popular in the Trentino Guest Card. There is also
territory, in the sign of total integration close collaboration with the Strade dei
between Mezzacorona and Trentino: Vini e dei Sapori; in the Trentino Guest
an example is the Mezzocorona Expo, Card offer the Wine Citadel has been
an exhibition of commercial and artisan added to the one hundred tourist
activities which attracts thousands of attractions which can be visited free of
visitors every year. charge by guests of hotels belonging
With this vision, over the last two to the circuit or by buying the card at
years the Group has strengthened its the tourist offices.
relations with the local institutions, in
particular with the tourist promotion
organisations, adhering to the

3. THE STORYTELLING 49

Holistic
communication

The communication strategy of Gruppo “Mezzacorona ha il Trentino dentro”
Mezzacorona is oriented towards
the use of several instruments for (Mezzacorona has Trentino inside)
various purposes and to welcoming
new communication realities in a is the claim of the campaign for the
world where everything continuously
changes and evolves. The search for Mezzacorona wines: products whose
excellence promised by the holistic
approach to communication, based genuineness comes from the land, the
on hard work, curiosity and constancy,
complements the research work of the mountain climate, the work of men who
team of agronomists and enologists that
distinguishes the entire brand. over centuries of wine-growing and
An emblematic example of this approach
is the recent story of Nerofino, born of wine making tradition have learned to
the re-discovery of the ancient name of
the emblem wine of the Piana Rotaliana, obtain the maximum results from the
Teroldego, in the work curated by Leone
Melchiori. Nerofino proudly shows the environmental conditions.
roots of the vineyard on its label, which
won the gold medal in its category “Metodo classico. Emozione
(packagings of still red wines with
Designation of Origin and Geographic contemporanea” (Classic Method.
Indication of the year 2013 and prior to
2013) at the 20th International Packaging Contemporary Emotion) is the claim
Competition of Vinitaly.
Both through the refined advertising of the campaign for Mezzacorona’s
campaigns organised by a renowned
communication agency and the many “bubbles”, the famous Rotari Spumante,
social channels, the genuineness of the
brand emerges, as a sign of the platonic among the leading brands in Italy as to
concepts of goodness, beauty and truth
and supporting the complementarity sales volume and fame. Its authenticity
between “beautiful” and “good”,
perfectly explained in the corporate can be attributed to the geniality of man,
video.
Therefore, as concerns the advertising to the pairing with sophisticated flavours,
campaigns, two completely separate
paths are followed for the two main to the daily conviviality that its presence
brands: Mezzacorona and Rotari.
adds to every context. The campaign

won the prize for the best consumer press

campaign 2017 in the competition “Vini &

Consumi Awards – I premi dell’eccellenza

assegnati dal retail” (Wine & Consumers

Awards – The excellence prizes assigned

by the retail business”) by the Tespi-

Media Group.

In Italy, the Mezzacorona and Rotari

advertising campaigns are present in

leading newspapers (Corriere della Sera,

Repubblica, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24

Ore), whereas the Rotary campaigns can

boast great international visibility on the

Milan metropolitan circuit. Since 2012,

advertising campaigns in the local and

national press are accompanied by a

strong presence on the main thematic

channels in the United States. News

about the Group’s brands has appeared