SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability in table grapes that is audited every year, not just stated.
Water, climate, soil, people and less waste: five topics that shape the future of grapes in the Mediterranean. For each one we show what applies in the EU and in Greece, what we do and which standard audits it.
01 · WATER
Water is measured, not taken for granted.
In 2023 water scarcity affected 28% of the EU territory during at least one season, and Greece was among the countries that felt it most in spring and summer, according to the European Environment Agency. Agriculture accounts for 31% of the water abstracted in the EU. The European Water Resilience Strategy (2025) calls for water efficiency to improve by at least 10% by 2030.
Irrigation in the vineyards of our group is audited under the GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING standard:
- A water risk assessment for every farm.
- Legal, documented water sources.
- An irrigation plan, with consumption measured and recorded.
- Protection of surface water and management of wastewater.
Audited under: SPRING · every year, by an independent body
02 · CLIMATE AND ENERGY
The Mediterranean is warming faster. The vineyard feels it first.
The Mediterranean region is warming 20% faster than the global average, according to the MedECC network of scientists. Under the European Climate Law the EU has committed to cutting net emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and to climate neutrality by 2050. The Greek Climate Law (Law 4936/2022) sets the same targets.
For a product that depends on the weather, this means adapting. In practice:
- Energy efficiency is audited every year at the growers, under GLOBALG.A.P.
- SPRING also assesses the energy that irrigation needs.
- Harvest is set each year by ripeness, not by the calendar.
- We do not claim "climate neutrality": we do not publish claims that have not been audited.
Audited under: GLOBALG.A.P. · SPRING · every year, by an independent body
03 · SOIL AND PLANT PROTECTION
Plant protection by prescription, on record and tested.
The EU Farm to Fork Strategy set the aim of reducing the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030, and nutrient losses by at least 50%. The EU directive on the sustainable use of pesticides (2009/128/EC) makes integrated pest management the basis for professional users.
In the vineyards of our group:
- Integrated pest management, prescribed by an agronomist and with authorised products.
- Records of spraying and fertilising in every vineyard.
- Residue analyses before harvest, per grower and per batch, by an accredited laboratory.
- Biodiversity and the habitats around the crop are part of the audit.
Audited under: GLOBALG.A.P. · every year, by an independent body
Quality and residue analyses04 · PEOPLE
There are people behind every bunch.
Sustainability also has a social side. Goal 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is about decent work for all. Mintzilis packs grapes from its own vineyards and from its own group of growers.
Social practices in production are assessed under GRASP:
- Worker representation and a complaint process.
- Written terms of employment, wages and recorded working hours.
- Working age and the protection of minors.
- Workers' health, safety and welfare in the vineyard, under GLOBALG.A.P.
Audited under: GRASP · GLOBALG.A.P. · every year, by an independent body
For growers: what we ask05 · LESS WASTE
Less waste starts with cooling.
In 2025 the EU set binding food waste targets for 2030: a 10% cut in processing and manufacturing and 30% per capita at retail and consumption. Since August 2026 the new packaging regulation also applies, with the aim that all packaging is recyclable by 2030.
Table grapes do not ripen after picking and lose water from the first hour. That is why:
- Pallets are pre-cooled and held in the cold rooms until loading.
- The cold chain continues on refrigerated trucks.
- Every batch is traced from the field to the pallet.
- Packing follows each customer's specifications.
Audited under: IFS Food · GLOBALG.A.P. · every year, by an independent body
The cold chain step by stepWHAT EACH STANDARD AUDITS
Four standards, each audited once a year.
| Topic | Standard | What is audited | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water and irrigation | SPRING | Risk assessment, legal sources, irrigation plan, measured consumption, protection of water. | Every year, together with GLOBALG.A.P. |
| Growing and the environment | GLOBALG.A.P. | Integrated pest management, plant protection products, fertilisers, biodiversity, energy, waste. | Every year; the certificate is valid for one year. |
| People | GRASP | Representation, complaints, terms of employment, wages, working hours, protection of minors. | Every year, together with GLOBALG.A.P. |
| Food safety and traceability | IFS Food | Safety, authenticity and quality in sorting and packing. | Every year. |
All four certifications were renewed in 2026. We send the current certificates to any buyer who asks for them.
UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Where our work meets the 2030 Agenda.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted in 2015 by all UN member states. Six of them directly concern a grape packing house.
Goal 2 · Sustainable agriculture
Good agricultural practice in every vineyard, under GLOBALG.A.P.
Goal 6 · Clean water
Responsible use of irrigation water and groundwater, under SPRING.
Goal 8 · Decent work
Working conditions assessed every year, under GRASP.
Goal 12 · Responsible production
Traceability and a cold chain from the field to the pallet.
Goal 13 · Climate action
Energy efficiency under audit, and a harvest that follows each year's weather.
Goal 15 · Life on land
Integrated pest management and care for biodiversity around the vineyard.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What people ask about sustainability.
Are you "climate neutral" or "green"?
We do not use such labels. Since September 2026 the EU bans generic environmental claims that cannot be substantiated (Directive (EU) 2024/825). Here we only write what is audited by an independent body.
Who audits what you write?
Independent certification bodies, every year. All four certifications were renewed in 2026.
What is SPRING?
A GLOBALG.A.P. add-on for the sustainable management of irrigation water and groundwater. It is audited every year, together with GLOBALG.A.P.
Do you publish a carbon footprint?
Not at present. If your company needs specific data from its suppliers, tell us what you need.
Does this apply to your growers too?
Yes. Our group of growers works to the GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP and SPRING standards. See what we ask of growers
Can I see the certificates?
Yes. We send the current GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP, SPRING and IFS Food certificates to any buyer who asks for them.
SOURCES
Where the facts come from.
European Union
- European Environment Agency: Water scarcity conditions in Europe
- European Environment Agency: Water abstraction by source and economic sector
- European Commission: European Water Resilience Strategy (2025)
- European Climate Law, Regulation (EU) 2021/1119
- European Commission: Farm to Fork Strategy
- Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides
- Food waste reduction targets, Directive (EU) 2025/1892
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste
- Directive (EU) 2024/825 on environmental claims
Greece and the Mediterranean
Ask for our certificates.
Tell us which certificates you need and we will send them.
Request the certificatesSEE ALSO