Sustainability
Sustainability is an essential value for the Hurtado Family, where caring for the environment, workers and local community is key.
The vineyards at Calcu were designed in small blocks with short rows that minimize soil erosion, and the sloping rows were intended to reduce the risk of accidents for farm workers.
When the vineyards were planted, extra care was taken to respect the natural rock formations, clay deposits and native trees. In agreement with Chile's National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), 4,500 native plants were also planted in the ravines near the vineyards to increase biodiversity and protect endangered native species such as chaguals, huinganes, algarrobos, among others. This helps to control erosion and recover the habitat of endangered native fauna such as giant hummingbirds, quiques (lesser grisons), chillas (South American gray fox) and tucúqueres (lesser horned owls). This, together with the use of sheep to control weeds and to increase fertility in the weakest sectors of the soils, make it so that only minimal applications of authorized agricultural products are required for the production of grapevines.
