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Pirineos Winery to Collaborate with CSIC to Investigate Climate Refuges in the Pyrenees

May 17, 2023

Somontano Winery and the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE), a center belonging to the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), have formalized an agreement in which the winery will donate part of the profits obtained from the sales of its collection of single-varietal wines to study the biodiversity of the Aragonese mountain range. Pirineos Winery, from the Somontano Designation of Origin, will contribute to the preservation of the mountain range that bears its name through a donation to the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE), which belongs to the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), to identify and investigate climate refuges. Both entities have formalized an alliance that aspires to be long-lasting and will result in an economic contribution from the sales of two of their single-varietal wines. Climate refuges are places where plant species have a higher likelihood of surviving during climate change situations like the current one. The topography of the Pyrenean mountains creates certain conditions where temperature increases are slightly attenuated, generating climate refuges.

The main objective of this project, led by CSIC researcher Begoña García at the IPE, is to understand which topographic or biological variables favor the creation of these refuges, which can be as large as entire valley slopes or as small as a square m

eter. They are found in deep ravines, within forests, or in open areas. The project also aims to inventory the plants living in these refuges and identify, through models, other locations that are also susceptible to bec

oming refuges. To achieve this, it is necessary to combine new technologies with fieldwork by experts. These technologies include temperature and humidity sensors that remain active for months or years in the field to collect data annually. Handheld or drone thermal cameras are used to visualize landscapes with colors representing temperatures, and satellite images are also utilized to identify cooler areas or those that have changed less over the past deca

des despite the effects of climate change.

Silvia Arruego, the managing director of Bodegas Pirineos, expressed great satisfaction “to be able to give back to the mountains we share our name with, a part of our work in the form of an economic contribution for their preservation and climate change mitigation.” Meanwhile, IPE researcher Begoña García thanked the donation “to advance this line of research and   reach more areas of the Pyrenees.” María Jesús Lázaro, CSIC delegate in Aragón, highlighted “the importance of public-private collaboration to carry out projects and benefit from science.”

Donation from the sales of Pirineos Chardonnay and Pirineos Gewürztraminer

With this collaboration with CSIC, Pirineos Winery strengthens its commitment to biodiversity, sustainability, transparency, and respect for the environment. The focus is on two of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified in its sustainability report, specifically SDG 13: “Climate Action” and SDG 15: “Life on Land.” As part of the Barbadillo Group and the Somontano Regional Cooperative, the winery produces wines under different brands that reflect the identity of the territory, such as Alquézar, Señorío de Lazán, 3404, Marboré, Montesierra, and Pirineos. In particular, the Pirineos collection consists of two single-varietal wines, Pirineos Chardonnay and Pirineos Gewürztraminer. Pirineos was the first winery in Somontano to obtain the Aragon Social Responsibility Certification.

 

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