The company and its Center for Research and Innovation have worked together since 2017 to precisely determine water demand in each vineyard segment, resulting in savings of up to 25% in the amount of water used.

Together with its Center for Research and Innovation (CRI), Viña Concha y Toro is advancing to find solutions and adapt to the effects of climate change in its vineyards. 

Three years ago, the company initiated a new water efficiency project, which involves implementing an irrigation management system based on the development of crop coefficient (Kc) curves in several of its vineyards. In addition to analyzing weather information, this enables the company to calculate specific water demand for each vineyard segment. 

“Today, we are doing something impressive which was previously reserved solely for academia. We are determining water demand for our vineyards through Kc curves calculated specifically for the conditions of Viña Concha y Toro’s vineyards”, said CRI Project Engineer Sebastián Vargas. 

This water efficiency plan, which is currently in its third stage, has enabled us to increase the number of hectares with irrigation based on crop coefficient curves from 35 to 250 as of the present date. The project has resulted in savings of 25% in the amount of water used—between 500 and 1,000 m3 per hectare—which is equivalent to the average annual water consumption of 11 to 23 people (120 liters/day) per hectare included in this initiative. If we continue scaling up this technology in our vineyards, we could potentially achieve water savings equivalent to the consumption of 110,000 people.

“The contribution is evident, as saving water enables us to generate financial savings, as well as consolidating our capacity to understand the role of irrigation on wine grape production, and its effects on quality and productivity”, added Sebastián.