Sustainability Report, Download - Via Wines

SUSTAINABILITY 

REPORT 

2010 

1

1er 

CHAPTER 

General Background 

In this chapter we present information on how VIA Wines is organized to conducts its daily relations, its mission, vision and values respects 

human rights, its relationship with society. surrounding neighborhoods to its operations and its relationship with the product. 

2

Message 

from the CEO 

It is my pleasure to present the first VIA 

Wines Sustainability Report, prepared 

using the Third Generation Global Reporting 

Initiative (GRI) methodology, which 

outlines our organization’s commitment 

to sustainable principles and practices. 

Sustainability is just one of the fundamental 

pillars of VIA Wines’ strategy 

for becoming one of Chile’s ten major 

wineries exporting fine wines by the end 

of 2018. 

With the aim of broadly disseminating 

our company’s philosophy of working 

sustainably, we created a Sustainability 

Committee that represents every area of 

the winery, including viticulture, enology, 

operations, quality control, maintenance, 

and risk prevention, with Yerko Moreno, 

Director of the University of Talca’s Technological 

Center for Grapes and Wine 

as our advisor. This committee met every 

three weeks to set policies, review procedures, 

and prepare the winery for the 

certification process under the Chilean 

Wine Industry’s National Sustainability 

Code, promoted by the Technological 

Consortiums of Wine. 

It bears mention that in this very area, 

we have signed the necessary agreements 

for measuring our carbon 

footprint. Poch Ambiental will advise us 

in determining our footprint and Deloitte 

will act as auditor. The work will conclude 

during the first semester of 2011. 

Operational excellence is part of our 

philosophy for achieving our strategic 

objective. In 2010, and after 18 months 

of work, we completed the first stage 

in which we reviewed our processes 

with the final objective of providing our 

customers with excellent service. This 

work involved the entire organization and 

produced a series of noteworthy results 

that are detailed in this report. 

The year 2010 was marked by the earthquake 

that affected the country and put 

us all to the test, especially considering 

that our operations are located in San 

Rafael, just 25 km (15.5 mi) from Talca, 

which was highly affected. Fortunately 

we can report that we did not suffer any 

fatalities, although 26 employees were 

affected with partial or total loss of their 

homes. We helped all of them immediately 

with boxes of food containing such 

items as bottled water, flour, pasta, rice, 

tomato sauce, oil, sugar, tea, and milk. 

They also received sleeping bags, mattresses, 

tents, flashlights, and diapers. 

Later they were supplied with construction 

materials. 

The earthquake on February 27, a 

harvest season with climatic characteristics 

that resulted in 25% fewer kilos 

harvested, and the appreciation of the 

Chilean peso with respect to the dollar 

all marked 2010. For VIA Wines, however, 

the year ended with highly positive 

sales results, an increase in our export 

prices, the opening of new distribution, 

and solid progress in our sustainability 

program. 

In this first VIA Wines Sustainability 

Report, we not only inform our various 

interest groups on matters of social responsibility 

with respect to the economicfinancial, 

social, and environmental 

areas, but also assume the challenge 

of improving continuously the results of 

our indicators, with the aim of becoming 

an industry benchmark in the field of 

sustainability. 

Sincerely, 

Ricardo Urresti / Chief Executive Officer 

3

COMPANY´S 

ORGANIZatIONAL Chart 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 

OFFICER 

R. Urresti 

SALES 

DIRECTOR 

F. Lagos 

LEGAL 

DIRECTOR 

F. Maturana 

MARKETING 

DIRECTOR 

E.Wexman 

OPERATIONS 

DIRECTOR 

V. Baeza 

CHIEF FINANCIAL 

OFFICER 

R.Villena 

Regional Sales 

Director 

North America 

C. Miquel 


Director 

Europe 

S. Wilson 


Director 

Latin America 

S. Alvial 

Public Relations 

Manager 

M. Espindola 

Product 

Development 

Manager 

J. Escobar 

Oveja Negra 

Winemaker 

E. Carter 

Chilcas 

Winemaker 

C. Viani 

Chilensis 

Winemaker 

C. Villouta 

Viticulturist 

N. Zagmutt 

Corporate 

Services Manager 

G. Garcia 

General 

Accountant 

M. Reyes 

Treasurer 

A. Román 

Information 

Systems 

E. Andrade 

Plant Manager 

F. Beltrami 

Quality Assurance 

Manager 

P. Abarca 

4

Andrea Ramírez, 

Artica Impresores 

We share a long range sustainable vision of 

business 

As a company we share fundamental values with VIA 

Wines and these are authenticity, sustainability and 

harmony, which have led us to build a long range 

commercial relationship, full of new challenges and 

opportunities. 

An important factor that explains our mutual success 

is the constant and open communication with 

all the areas of the winery, generating team work 

and a relation as partners, which allows us to constantly 

measure our work, establishing an ongoing 

process of improvement in each of our processes. 

As suppliers, we know that VIA Wines is a socially 

responsible company and this is why we have to satisfy 

their demands for the use of sustainable materials 

in our labels and our processes. 

5

GENERAL 

BACKGROUND 

Profile and Scope of the Report 

Viña San Rafael S.A. has been making 

fine wines under the VIA Wines brand 

name for the national and international 

markets since 1999. For the effects 

of this report, the names VIA Wines 

and Viña San Rafael S.A. will be used 

interchangeably. 

Our Brands 

VIA Wines markets the following major 

brands worldwide: 

• Chilcas 

• Oveja Negra 

• Chilensis 

These vineyards have been planted 

to the varieties appropriate to their 

climate conditions and soil quality. 

Red Varieties Planted: 

• Cabernet Sauvignon 

• Carmenere 

• Merlot 

• Syrah 

• Cabernet Franc 

• Tintorero 

• Tempranillo 

• Petit Verdot 

• Malbec 

• Pinot Noir 

Brazil 9,100 

China 11,752 

Venezuela 12,350 

Hong Kong 16,257 

Ireland 26,000 

Mexico 43,058 

OUR PRIMARY DESTINATION MARKETS ARE 

Others 60,836 

Germany 265,339 

Land, Facilities, and Infrastructure 

To comply with its founding objective, 

VIA Wines owns 1,039 hectares of land 

in Chile’s major vitivinicultural valleys: 

Casablanca, Colchagua, Curicó, and 

Maule. 

The winery’s main cellar and bottling 

plant is located 25 kilometers from the 

city of Talca in San Rafael in the Maule 

Valley. It vinified 9,931,326 million kg in 

2010, which was less than 2009, when 

12,647,237 million kg were processed. 

White Varieties Planted: 

• Sauvignon Blanc 

• Sauvignon Vert 

• Chardonnay 

• Pinot Blanc 

• Riesling 

• Sauvignon Gris 

• Gewürztraminer 

• Viognier 

3.84% of our vineyards are organically 

managed and certified as such by 

Ceres GmbH. 

United States 63,770 

United Kingdom 137,157 

Chile 73,855 

Netherlands 96,094 

6

Historic Summary 

In the early 1980s, Simon Farr, the 

founder of the renowned the United 

Kingdom wine importer Bibendum, 

visited Chile with the mission of creating 

an innovative and different winery. 

In the early 1990s Simon Farr met 

the Coderch family, which had a long 

history in wine, liqueurs, and spirits, 

and in 1998, after exhaustively researching 

and experimenting with Chilean 

terroir, they formed VIA Wines. The 

name VIA was chosen from the Latin 

word for “the way” as it articulates the 

vision of a bold new winery based on 

Chile’s vitivinicultural tradition while 

remaining open to the future. 

Initially, 400 hectares were planted in 

the San Rafael zone, a sub-region of 

the Maule Valley, under the principle of 

excellence in making the highest quality 

wine to be offered around the world. 

The partners saw in this area the ideal 

climate and proper terroir for making 

their shared dream a reality. “San Rafael” 

is VIA’s emblematic vineyard and 

home to its cellar and modern bottling 

plant. The San Rafael vineyard, blessed 

with great natural beauty at the foot of 

the Descabezado Volcano, is surrounded 

by a landscape that includes small 

lagoons with swans and grasslands. 

Later a group of wine-loving investors 

from Brazil, United States, and Chile 

joined the project. 

Nature and Legal Structure of VIA 

Wines 

VIA Wines is a closed corporation formed 

to make fine wines for the Chilean 

and international markets. Its RUT 

(Chilean tax ID) is 96.822.190-6 and 

its headquarters is located at Avenida 

Vitacura 4380 – Piso 4 - Oficina 41, 

Vitacura, Santiago de Chile. 

The primary shareholders are a group 

of wine-loving investors from Chile, 

Brazil, United States, and the United 

Kingdom. 

Certifications Indicator 4.12 

In 2010 VIA Wines renewed its BRC 

(British Retail Consortium) and IFS 

(International Food Standard) certifications. 

Both are required in Europe for 

marketing products in the supermarket-retail 

channel. 

The NOP organic certification (Certificate 

of Organic Operation under the US 

National Standard) granted by Ceres 

GmbH was also renewed on 38.3 hectares 

of our San Rafael vineyard and 

corresponds to plantations of: 

• Cabernet Franc 

• Cabernet Sauvignon 

• Chardonnay 

• Malbec 

• Merlot 

• Pinot Noir 

• Sauvignon Blanc 

• Syrah 

Major Awards 

During 2010, VIA Wines 

participated in the most 

important wine challenges 

and tastings that took place 

in Chile and internationally. 

In our website 

www.viawines.com, 

there is a search engine 

where you can find the 

awards received. 

7

Scope of the Report 

This is VIA Wines’ first Sustainability 

Report, through which it makes public 

its socially responsible management 

in the economic-financial, social, and 

environmental areas during the period 

from January 1 through December 31, 

2010 and in comparison with the same 

period during 2009, via the rigorous 

use of the principles of the methodology 

stipulated by the Third Generation 

(G3) Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). 

As part of its commitment to sustainable 

development, VIA Wines is gradually 

incorporating socially responsible 

policies and practices in every stage of 

its value chain, and therefore the VIA 

Wines Board of Directors has decided 

to publish an annual Sustainability 

Report in accordance with the content 

and quality of the (GRI) Global Reporting 

Initiative’s Guide for preparing the 

Sustainability Report, which is available 

at www.globalreporting.org 

Through this document, VIA Wines 

reveals to all interested parties the 

primary actions of Viña San Rafael 

S.A.’s operations in Chile. 

Identification of Framework 

Documents ProceSS of Defining 

Report Contents 

The documentation our company used 

to prepare this report is primarily 

concentrated on the Statutes of the 

Constitution of VIA Wines, the Supplier 

Selection and Evaluation Policy, the Internal 

Recruitment Policy, the Internal 

Regulations and Position Description, 

the Environmental Policy, the Policy 

for Energy Efficiency, the Policy for 

Water Efficiency, the Customer Policy, 

the Policy for Information and Product 

Labeling, and the Code of Ethics, currently 

in its final stages of approval. 

The report also includes information 

from primary and secondary sources 

such as public information available on 

our web site www.viawines.com, publications 

of the Chilean Safety Board 

and other organizations, as well as 

personal statements and photographs. 

In 2010, VIA Wines’ Marketing Manager 

and Head of Quality Assurance participated 

in a training course imparted 

in four 8-hour sessions in Santiago 

and taught by a consultant from the 

Social Responsibility and Sustainable 

Development Center of the Pontifical 

Catholic University of Valparaíso 

(PUCV), Francisco Rojas, through an 

agreement reached by Vinos de Chile 

A.G. and the Wine Technology Consortiums, 

co-funded by Innova Chile 

CORFO and oriented toward installing 

the necessary capacities for ensuring 

the preparation of Sustainability 

Reports correctly using the GRI’s G3 

methodology. 

Data measuring techniques and/ 

or bases for calculation 

The quantitative information presented 

in this report is the result of the work 

VIA Wines did in 2010 with respect to 

the economic-financial, environmental, 

and social dimensions and a product of 

the base calculation commonly accepted 

and validated by the company. 

Reporting Level 

Because this is the first report that 

fully uses the principles found in the 

GRI G3 methodology, Viña VIA Wines 

has resolved to self-declare in Level B, 

given that it reports 43 indicators. 

8

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE & 

ADMINIstratIVE SYSTEM 

Organization 

VIA Wines is managed by a board of 

directors that defines the company’s 

general developmental policies and 

strategies relative to both its business 

and the area of social responsibility. 

The functioning of its corporate governance 

is regulated by its Articles of 

Incorporation and by the provisions of 

the Corporations Law, which establishes 

the duties and responsibilities 

of the members of the board, which 

is composed of 16 members, with 8 

directors and 8 alternate directors. 

The administration of VIA Wines is the 

responsibility of the company’s Chief 

Executive Officer and the five managers 

who report directly him. 

Shareholders 

The company’s shareholders meet in 

Regular and Extraordinary sessions. 

The former takes place annually 

within the first four months of the year. 

Extraordinary Sessions may be called 

as necessary whenever the company 

deems it necessary. The decisions 

made are binding for both Board members 

and shareholders. 

Among the attributes of the Regular 

Shareholders’ Meeting—and for the 

purpose of examining the VIA Wines 

accounts, inventory, balance sheet, 

and financial statements—is the 

annual designation of the external 

auditors, in accordance with the record 

devised for that purpose by Chile’s 

Securities and Exchange Commision 

(Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros, 

SVS). 

In 2010 VIA Wines hired Deloitte Chile 

to audit its consolidated financial statements 

through December 31, 2010 

as well as those of 2009. 

VIA Wines has adopted the International 

Financial Reporting Standards 

(IFRS) accounting principles. 

On the occasion of the Annual General 

Shareholders’ Meeting, the company’s 

Board of Directors reports on the 

general balance of operations through 

December 31 of each year for their 

approval. 

Board of Directors 

The VIA Wines Board of Directors consists 

of 16 members, each elected for 

a three-year term. Upon completion of 

that term the Board is renewed in its 

entirety, although the members may 

be reelected indefinitely by the shareholders 

during their Regular Meeting. 

The Board, which meets regularly at 

least four times per year, designates 

one of its members to be President, 

whose vote determines the outcome 

in the case of a tie. Extraordinary sessions 

are called by the President of the 

Board of Directors or at the request of 

one or more of its members with prior 

authorization of the president, except 

when requested by the majority of 

active Board members. The minimum 

quorum for attendance at the sessions, 

whether regular or extraordinary, is 

an absolute majority of the Regular 

Directors. 

In accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, 

the members of the Board 

are not remunerated. 

The Board is responsible for the 

administration of the corporation and 

delegating authority to one or more 

of its members and executives with 

the objective of developing the line of 

business. The Board has the power 

to appoint the corporation’s General 

Manager, who acts under the name of 

the Chief Executive Officer. 

Chief Executive Officer 

The primary function of the Chief 

Executive Officer is to administrate the 

direction of the company and comply 

with the decisions made by the Board. 

Likewise, the function of Chief Executive 

Officer, along with the President, 

Director, Auditor or comptroller of VIA 

Wines, S.A. 

9

Corporate Management 

Five corporate managers report to the 

Chief Executive Officer: 

Administrative & Finance Manager 

For the purpose of generating and 

operating in accordance with the 

requisite international standards, 

systems, and regulations, the management 

of Administration and Finance, 

headed by Rodrigo Villena, provides 

financial and accounting information 

for company management, billing, 

optimizing the acquisition of financial 

resources, and controlling the risk and 

expenses of the company. It is the responsibility 

of this position the acquisition 

of supplies, as well as everything 

related to the administration of human 

resources. 

Sales Manager 

Francisco Lagos, in his position as 

Sales Manager, is responsible for the 

commercialization of the winery’s 

products and as such must seek out 

and select importers and distributors, 

which the winery calls “clients,” in the 

markets of interest and continuously 

attend to their needs. He must also 

report regularly on the state of sales, 

projections, and the need for new 

products. 

Marketing Manager 

With the mission of positioning the 

image of VIA Wines at the world level 

and supporting the efforts of the sales 

team, Eduardo Wexman, as Marketing 

Manager, is charged with positioning 

the VIA Wines brands in the international 

markets by supplying programs 

and services to the clients, maintaining 

good communication with them, and 

establishing lasting connections with 

the different groups of interest. 

This managerial position is also responsible 

for the VIA Wines Sustainability 

Program. 

Operations Manager 

Victor Baeza, as Operations Manager, 

is charged with caring for the quality 

of the wines made at VIA Wines. He 

oversees the areas of viticulture, enology, 

and winery operations, including 

bottling and the Integrated System of 

Quality Assurance. 

Legal Management 

Legal Management is the responsibility 

of Francisca Maturana, who is charged 

with ensuring that all of the operations, 

contracts, and commitments in 

which the winery participates comply 

with the laws of the Republic of Chile. 

Corporate Strategy 

Mission 

Create sustainable value for the shareholders 

and deliver excellent service 

and products to our customers. 

Vision 

To become one of the ten most important 

wineries in Chile, be recognized 

for the quality of its wines and the 

excellence of its operations, and make 

customer service a top priority through 

teamwork and encouraging innovation 

on behalf of our employees. 

Values 

• Quality and Reliability 

• Profitability 

• Honesty 

• Responsibility 

• Efficiency 

10

Code of Ethics 

In 2010 the company formalized its 

Code of Ethics, which sets the parameters 

of behavior to be observed by its 

employees with respect to its internal 

relationships as well as those with 

customers, suppliers, governmental 

agencies, and the industry in general. 

The Code will be delivered to the 

winery’s employees during the first 

half of 2011. 

Memberships in National and 

International Consulting aSSociations 

and/or Organizations 

With the aim of generating processes 

of reciprocal interaction and collaboration 

with representatives of the sector, 

VIA Wines belongs to Vinos de Chile 

A.G., the trade association responsible 

for representing the industry’s interests 

before the different governmental 

and private organisms in Chile. As a 

winery, we are also members of Wines 

of Chile, an area of the same trade 

union that is responsible for promoting 

Chilean wine internationally. 

Regional Memberships 

At the regional level, VIA Wines is a 

member of the Maule Valley Wine 

Route, which aims to promote wine 

tourism in the valley. 

Charters, principles, or other 

initiatives to which the organization 

subscribes or endorses 

VIA Wines adheres to the guidelines 

set forth in the Convention of 

Children’s Rights, a treaty approved by 

Chile in 1990. 

In matters of advertising, the company 

adheres to the Chilean Code of Advertising 

Ethics for members of Vinos 

de Chile A.G. We also adhere to the 

Code of Advertising Ethics developed 

by the Council on Self-Regulation 

and Advertising Ethics (CONAR), a 

private non-profit corporation whose 

primary objective is to self-regulate 

national advertising activity from an 

ethical perspective. This organism 

is composed of the National Advertising 

Association (ANDA), the Chilean 

Association of Advertising Agencies 

(ACHAP), the Chilean Association of 

Radio Broadcasters (ARCHI), the National 

Television Association (ANATEL), 

and the Interactive Advertising Bureau 

(IAB CHILE). 

Stakeholders involved in the 

organization 

With the aim of preparing this first 

sustainability report, rigorously guided 

by the GRI G3 methodology, VIA Wines 

has identified and prioritized the 

following stakeholders (in alphabetical 

order): Community; Competition; 

Customers; Consumers; Labor unions 

and business organizations; External 

employees working on company 

premises; Internal staff; National 

authorities (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry 

of Health, Ministry of Labour and 

Social Welfare, Ministry of Environment); 

Regional and local authorities; 

Shareholders; and Suppliers. 

11

DIMENSIÓN SOCIAL 

Mensaje de Gerente General Indicador Me es grato 

presentar el primer Reporte de Sostenibilidad de 

VIA Wines, bajo la metodología de Tercera Generación 

de Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), el cual 

resume With el the compromiso objective de nuestra of offering organización a 

con los principios y prácticas sostenibles. Indicador 

La general sostenibilidad framework es uno de los on pilares the fundamentales 

de la estrategia de VIA Wines con miras a 

way 

convertirse the winery en una expects de las diez its principales employees viñas 

exportadoras de vinos finos al año 2018. Indicador 

to 

Con 

conduct 

el propósito 

their 

de difundir 

activities, 

ampliamente 

in 

nuestra 

filosofía de trabajo sostenible al interior de la 

organización, creamos un Comité Sostenibilidad 

2010 it prepared the Code of 

representativo de todas las áreas de la viña, incluyendo 

viticultura, enología, operaciones, control de 

calidad, Ethics, mantención which y prevención is currently de riesgos in con 

la asesoría de Yerko Moreno, Director del Centro 

Tecnológico de la Vid y el Vino de la Universidad de 

the final stages of approval for 

dissemination during the first 

half of 2011. 

Talca. Este comité se reunió cada veinte días para 

fijar políticas, revisar procedimientos y preparar 

a la viña para el proceso de certificación bajo el 

Código Nacional de Sustentabilidad de la Industria 

Vitivinícola Chilena que impulsan los Consorcios 

Tecnológicos del Vino. 

Cabe destacar que en este mismo ámbito, hemos 

firmado los acuerdos necesarios para la medición 

de nuestra huella de carbono. En este desafío nos 

asesorará Poch Ambiental en la determinación de 

la huella y Deloitte actuará como auditor. El trabajo 

concluirá durante el primer semestre de 2011. 

La excelencia operacional es parte de nuestra 

filosofía para así lograr nuestro objetivo estratégico. 

Durante el año 2010 y luego de dieciocho meses 

de trabajo, finalizó la primera etapa en la cual 

revisamos nuestros procesos, con el objetivo final 

de entregar a nuestros clientes un servicio de excelencia. 

Este trabajo involucró a toda la organización 

y produjo una serie de resultados destacables que 

se detallan en este reporte. 

Sin duda alguna, el año 2010 estuvo marcado por 

el terremoto que afectó al país el cual nos puso 

a prueba a todos, considerando que nuestras 

operaciones se ubican en San Rafael, a sólo 25 

kilómetros de Talca, zona que se vio fuertemente 

afectada. Asimismo, podemos informar que 

afortunadamente no registramos víctimas fatales 

y que 26 colaboradores se vieron afectados con la 

pérdida parcial o total de sus hogares. A todos ellos 

les apoyamos en forma inmediata con cajas con 

alimentos, que entre otras cosas contenían agua 

envasada, harina, pastas, arroz, salsa de tomates, 

aceite, azúcar, te y leche. Además, se entregaron 

sacos de dormir, colchones, carpas, linternas y 

pañales. Posteriormente, se entregó material de 

construcción. 

El terremoto de 27 de febrero, una vendimia que 

por las características climáticas de la temporada 

tuvo una baja de un 25% en los kilos cosechados y 

la valorización del peso chileno respecto al dólar 

fueron hitos que marcaron el año 2010. No obstante 

esta realidad, para VIA Wines, el año terminó 

con resultados altamente positivos tanto en ventas, 

incremento de nuestros precios de exportación, 

como también en la apertura de nueva distribución 

y sólidos avances en nuestro programa de 

sostenibilidad. 

En este primer Reporte de Sostenibilidad de VIA 

Wines, junto con informar a nuestros distintos 

grupos de interés en materias de responsabilidad 

social, en el ámbito económico-financiero, social y 

ambiental, asumimos el desafío de mejorar en forma 

continua los resultados de nuestros indicadores, 

con el propósito de ser un referente del sector 

en la esfera de sostenibilidad. Indicador 

Atentamente, 

Ricardo Urresti 

Gerente General 

12

2do 

CHAPTER 

Economic–Financial Dimension 

The economic and financial management of VIA Wines is under the charge of Administration and Finance, whose primary task is 

to ensure the normal functioning of the company’s financial and accounting aspects, optimizing financial resources, costs, information 

technology, and risk management. The company’s system of financial control and accounting is audited by the external 

firm Deloitte. 

13

Marcelo Lillo 

Dry Goods Warehouse 

Manager 

Committed to the wellbeing of its employees 

To speak about VIA Wines is to refer to a 

dynamic company in all of its value chain which 

transcends to the work performed by each one 

of its employees. 

In the past three years, the company has given 

me the opportunity to train myself allowing 

me to assume new challenges and giving me 

the opportunity to perform in my position as 

Dry Goods Warehouse Manager, a personal 

advancement and professional growth in a 

sector that each day has more projections. 

14

Economic Performance 

The economic and financial management of VIA Wines is under the charge 

of Administration and Finance, whose primary task is to ensure the normal 

functioning of the company’s financial and accounting aspects, optimizing 

financial resources, costs, information technology, and risk management. The 

company’s system of financial control and accounting is audited by the external 

firm Deloitte. 

Accounting and financial data is controlled via generally accepted accounting 

principles. 

Sales 

In 2010 our company registered sales of $ 18,150 MM, which is higher than the $ 

14,693 MM recorded in 2009. 

Our sales volumes also increased, with the exception of bulk wine, which decreased 

due to the winery’s strategy to privilege the sale of bottled wine. 

2009 2010 

Bottled (9-liter cases) 737,864 815,567 

Bulk (Liters) 10.092,901 8,664,136 

The increase in sales of bottled wine is due to the opening of new markets, the 

introduction of new products, and an increase in the number of wines offered by 

current clients. 

It is also important to note that during the period reported here, and considering 

only bottled wine, our principal markets were Europe, the Americas, Asia, and 

Chile. 

9-Lt Cases Volumes % 

Markets 2009 2010 2009 2010 

Europe 604,715 623,180 82% 76% 

Americas 57,419 92,647 8% 11% 

Asia 13,474 22,965 2% 3% 

Chile 62,257 76,775 8% 9% 

Total 739,873 815,567 100% 100% 

15

VIA Wines markets three brands internationally: Chilcas, Oveja Negra, and Chilensis 

(except in Chile). 

Liquidity and Fixed aSSets 

In 2010, VIA Wine reached a liquidity of 0.98, which is lower than that of 2009, 

which was 1.37. 

Fixed assets for our company during the same period reached MM$ 31,612, 

which is relatively lower than that of 2009, which was MM$ 32,339. 

Tax Exemptions for Training 

Under the terms of Chilean Law N° 19,518, which regulates the Tax Exemption 

for Training, as well as under the training projects generated by Vinos de 

Chile A.G., VIA Wines has promoted the training of its employees as a means of 

encouraging them to specialize and therefore provide excellent service to both 

internal and external customers. 

The Tax Exemption for Training—SENCE—allows Chilean companies who pay 

taxes in the first category of the Income Tax Law to deduct the cost of training its 

employees from the amount of taxes to be paid. Additionally, companies affected 

by the imputed income regime as well as those who have and declare losses may 

also claim this benefit. 

In 2009 and 2010 VIA Wines made use of these benefits for a total of $ 7,322,356 

CLP, which corresponds to 1,608 hours of training in 2009, and $ 8,308,320 which 

is the equivalent of another 2,265 hours of training in 2010. 

Market Presence 

Wages 

The minimum salary paid at VIA Wines during 2009 and 2010 was identical to 

the legal minimum wage paid in Chile during the period, which increased to $ 

165,000 and $ 172,000, respectively. 

Relationship with Suppliers 

38% of VIA Wines purchases in 2010 were acquisitions from suppliers based in 

the area in which our operations are located, which represents an increase over 

the 34% reached in 2009. 

Staff Hiring 

In order to form teams of excellence and provide our customers with the finest 

products and a level of service that sets us apart from others, VIA Wines seeks 

to incorporate the best talent of the workforce. To achieve that goal, the winery 

publishes in national and regional newspapers and uses employment agencies. 

In 2010 said services were provided by Líbano y Asociados and SommerGroup. 

Indirect Economic Impact 

In 2010 VIA Wines paid $ 32,446,382 in property taxes, a relatively high amount in 

comparison with 2009 during which the company paid $ 30,278,683. 

Valley ComMunity 2009 2010 

Casablanca Casablanca 3,528,708 3,781,334 

Colchagua Lolol 3,027,840 3,244,608 

Curicó Curicó 5,138,903 5,506,805 

Maule San Rafael 18,583,232 19,913,635 

Total 30,278,683 32,446,382 

16

3er 

CHAPTER 

Society Dimension 

In this chapter we present aspects on how VIA Wines conducts its long term relationship with its employees. 

17

Claudio Villouta 

Chilensis Winemaker 

Leadership, team work and professionalism are our 

virtues. 

It’s almost three years now since I decided to join the 

VIA Wines family. During these years I have integrally 

developed professionally working with a team of 

excellent professionals. I have to say that the experience 

gained has been enriching since I have had the chance 

to participate in a series of changes the business 

strategy and processes which adds up to the constant 

preoccupation of the company of its employees in 

terms of training and hygiene and security policies. 

Our company is committed to the growth of the nearby 

communities where our operations take place as a 

result of hiring local labor. During the earthquake that 

hit our country on the 27th of February of 2010, VIA 

Wines assisted its employees that were affected and the 

San Rafael County. 

All these factors lead me to consider that the main 

virtues that have led VIA Wines to position itself as one 

of the most important Chilean wineries is its leadership, 

team work and professionalism of its people. 

18

Labor Practices and Work Ethic 

Following the GRI G3 methodology, this section addresses labor practices, employment 

conditions, VIA Wines employee benefits, occupational health conditions, 

training, and development. 

Our Employees Indicator 

In December 2010, VIA Wines had 358 employees on staff, which is comparable to 

the 397 employees it employed directly during the same month in 2009. 

The majority of the employees (243) work in our San Rafael cellar in Chile’s 7th 

Region, 15 are in our Casablanca vineyard, 32 in our Colchagua vineyard, 22 in the 

Curicó vineyard, and 41 in our headquarters in Santiago. 

Of all of the employees, 191 (53.35%) have full-time contracts, 15 (4.19%) have a 

fixed-term contract, and 152 (42.46%) have seasonal contracts. 

Type of Contract Number of EMPLOYEES PERCENTAGE 

Indefinite 191 53.35 

Fixed-term 15 4.19 

Seasonal 152 42.46 

Of the 358 employees—whose average age is 39—150 lend administrative services, 

and the remaining 208 are operators. 

It is important to mention that 135 women work at VIA Wine. This represents 

37.71% of the staff; 27 (7.54%) of them have positions of responsibility for the 

growth and development of the country. 

TOTAL % 

Men 223 62.29 

Women 135 37.71 

Total Employees 358 100 

19

An additional 54 people who work in our company are employed by external companies 

that contract their services. 

Company Service PROVIDED TOTAL EMPLOYEES 

Casinos Food 5 

Eulen Security 9 

Acrópolis Labor/Production 36 

Transporte San Cristóbal transportation 4 

ProfeSSional Career 

At VIA Wines we seek excellent employees who are willing to work in teams, 

who promote good interpersonal relationships, and who contribute to the 

organization. 

We prioritize the selection of internal personnel first, and when that is not possible 

we seek out the best talent in the market. 

Unions 

VIA Wines has three unions that negotiate collectively. In 2010 the winery negotiated 

with the Chilcas, S.A. Union, composed of 38 members. The negotiation process 

concluded satisfactorily for all with an agreement that will remain effective 

for 4 years. Indicator LA 4 

Furthermore, 10 employees belong to the Viña San Rafael Workers’ Union and 30 

to the Viña San Rafael Agricultural Workers’ Union. Indicator LA 4 

Family & Work 

The harvest season (March–June) and during the final quarter of the year, when 

our international customers place their year-end orders, are periods in which the 

workload increases and therefore the company has implemented certain benefits 

to help balance work and family life. 

20

1. Employee Bus 

This bus runs between the city of Talca 

and the VIA Wines cellar in San Rafael. 

In 2010 this service was used by an 

average of 200 people per day. 

2. Day Care 

The company provides a $ 100,000 CLP 

(net) childcare bonus for all female 

employees who have completed their 

maternity leave until the child reaches 

his or her second birthday. 

3. Births: 

In accordance with Chilean law, fathers 

are entitled to five days of paternity 

leave to be with their families. They 

also receive a $ 30,000 CLP bonus. 

4. Deaths: 

Legal: 

Upon the death of a child or spouse, 

the affected employee has the right to 

seven consecutive days of paid leave in 

addition to annual vacations, regardless 

of length of service. 

In the event of the loss of an unborn 

child, mother, or father, the employee 

is entitled to a leave of three working 

days. 

These leaves begin on the day of the 

respective death. 

However, in the case of a fetal death, 

the leave begins on the date that the 

death is accredited with the respective 

fetal death certificate. 

Contractual Benefits: 

In the event of the death of a spouse, 

mother, father, or child, employees are 

entitled to three days of paid leave plus 

a death benefit of $ 120,000. 

5. Employee Birthdays 

Employee birthdays are celebrated 

once a month in the company headquarters 

in Santiago. On occasions, 

the winemaker or member of the 

commercial or marketing departments 

may lead a tasting of a new wine so 

that the employees have the opportunity 

to try it. 

Economic Benefits 

VIA Wines has implemented a series of 

economic benefits as a means of compensating 

employee performance. 

1. PEG Bonus (bonus for participation 

in managerial success): 

Awards for employees who are directly 

involved in wine production the wine 

cellar. The bonus is based on two components: 

PEG 1 = $ 58,660 x (Quarterly 

Productivity) - $ 551,403, plus PEG 2 

= -348,550 x (Loss of Wine) + 188,216. 

PEG Bonus = PEG 1 + PEG 2 

2. Independence Day Bonus: 

Each employee receives $ 37,500 for 

the September 18 holiday. In 2009, 371 

people received this benefit, and in 

September 2010, 319. 

21

3. Christmas Bonus: 

In 2009, 153 people received the $ 

37,500 Christmas benefit, and in 2010, 

192 people. 

Other Benefits 

1. Cafeteria 

Our employees in San Rafael are entitled 

to free food service in a specially 

equipped cafeteria. This third-party 

service provides balanced meals and 

complies with all required hygiene 

standards. 

Employees at our properties in Curicó, 

Casablanca, and Colchagua are paid 

an additional lunch bonus. 

2. Lunch Bonus 

Our employees who work in the main 

office in Santiago receive a daily lunch 

bonus of $ 3,000 CLP. 

Clothing 

Administrative staff—secretaries and 

aids—in the main office receive corporate 

uniforms twice a year in accordance 

with their daily activities. 

Workers in the production center receive 

clothing such as T-shirts, regular 

or fleece jackets, fleece hats or caps to 

perform their daily duties. 

La Araucana Compensation Fund 

(ccaf) 

The winery is affiliated with this 

institution and VIA Wines employees 

are entitled to all of the benefits the 

institution offers, such as its recreational 

centers. 

Mutual Benefit Fund 

VIA Wines is affiliated with the Chilean 

Safety Association (ACHS), which 

administrates Law Nº 16,744 on 

workplace accidents and professional 

illnesses, which lends services and 

advice on the prevention of workplace 

accidents and offers special plans with 

institutions in the areas of health and 

education. 

Health and Safety in the Workplace 

In matters of occupational safety and 

health, VIA Wines is associated with 

the Chilean Safety Association (ACHS) 

and therefore is protected under Law 

Nº 16,744, which aims to safeguard 

workers through training and prevention 

programs and also provides medical 

services. It also awards compensation, 

subsidies, or pension benefits to 

employees who have been the victim of 

an accident or illness at work. 

VIA Wines has a Risk Prevention 

Department that inspects and continuously 

generates improvements with 

respect to hazardous conditions that 

could produce an accident. In 2010 this 

department joined with the ACHS to 

provide continuous training in matters 

of risk prevention; the scope of the 

Law Nº 16,744 with respect to benefits, 

types of workplace accidents and 

hazards, emergency procedures, the 

use of extinguishers, and basic first 

aid. The department is also responsible 

for conducting periodic visits of 

the winery’s various facilities to assess 

the risk conditions in common areas; 

install safety signage and posters that 

indicate escape routes, emergency 

exits, safety zones, anti-fire and 

electrical hazard systems; and provide 

orientation for new staff members, 

among other tasks. 

There are two joint committees At VIA 

Wines: 

Members of the Chilcas CPHS 

Jessica Zuñiga / President (Company 

representative) 

Juan Carlos Aguilera / Secretary 

(Company representative) 

Lidia Rojas / Employees’ representative 

Juan Urrutia / Employees’ representative 

Members of the Viña San Rafael CPHS 

Claudio Morales / President (Company 


Francisco Gomez / Secretary (Employees’ 


Cecilia Poblete / Company representative 

Maria Gutiérrez / Employees’ representative 

Maria Gutiérrez / Employees’ representative 

Accident Insurance Rate 

VIA Wines’ accident insurance rate is: 

• Chilcas S.A.: 1.97% 

• Viña San Rafael S.A.: 1.29% 

• Altos de Nilahue: 2.65% 

These Joint Committees on Health and Safety meet regularly 

once a month, but may hold an extraordinary session 

upon the mutual request of one employee representative 

and one company representative. 

22

Workplace Accidents & Days Lost 

chilcaS 2009 

Month Days Nº # Accid Severity Days Lost 

Lost Accid Wkrs Rate Index Rate 

January 40 4 375 1.1 10.0 10.7 

February 3 2 382 0.5 1.5 0.8 

March 10 1 432 0.2 10.0 2.3 

Abril 0 0 402 0.0 0.0 0.0 

May 67 4 400 1.0 16.8 16.8 

June 1 1 382 0.3 0.0 0.3 

July 2 1 380 0.3 0.0 0.5 

August 6 2 380 0.5 0.0 1.6 

September 0 0 388 0.0 0.0 0.0 

October 1 1 388 0.3 1.0 0.3 

November 3 1 388 0.3 0.0 0.8 

December 4 2 397 0.5 2.0 1.0 

137 19 391.17 4.9 7.2 35.0 

chilcaS 2009 

Month Days Nº # Acci. Severity Days Lost 

Lost Accid Wkrs Rate Index Rate 

January 36 1 57 1.8 36.0 63.2 

February 0 0 66 0.0 0.0 0.0 

March 10 1 88 1.1 10.0 11.4 

Abril 13 2 98 2.0 6.5 13.3 

May 0 0 93 0.0 0.0 0.0 

June 0 0 93 0.0 0.0 0.0 

July 0 0 80 0.0 0.0 0.0 

August 1 1 88 1.1 1.0 1.1 

September 0 0 60 0.0 0.0 0.0 

October 0 0 60 0.0 0.0 0.0 

November 0 0 60 0.0 0.0 0.0 

December 1 1 60 1.7 1.0 1.7 

61 6 75.25 8.0 10.2 81.1 

Evacuation Exercises 

In 2010, our home office participated in evacuation exercises organized by the administration 

of the building in which we operate. In our San Rafael cellars, the exercise 

was conducted by area. 

23

Training 

At VIA Wines training plays a special 

role, and in 2009 we made use of the 

SENCE tax exemption in the sum of 

$ 6,224,000 CLP, with a total of 1,608 

hours of training for 46 employees. 

Also in 2009, 46 employees in the wine 

cellar participated in Jobs Skills courses 

offered through Vinos de Chile A.G. 

In 2010, the exemption used was $ 

7,383,300, with a total of 457 hours of 

training for 78 employees. 

Human Rights 

In accordance with the GRI G3 methodology, 

this section addresses 

matters relative to non-discrimination, 

freedom of association, prevention of 

child labor and forced or non-consensual 

labor, and respect for the rights of 

indigenous peoples and original ethnic 

groups. 

With respect to Human Rights, VIA 

Wines faithfully adheres to the laws 

established in the State Constitution, 

current legislation, including international 

treaties signed and ratified by 

Chile, and explicitly states in its Code 

of Ethics that it is opposed to all types 

of discrimination, whether sexual, racial, 

ethnic, religious, social, political, 

or based on gender or marital status. 

Therefore VIA Wines does not discriminate 

by gender or age when selecting 

personnel, and employee compensation 

is set according to market rates or 

the characteristics of the position. 

Contract companies are expected to 

comply with labor laws, and therefore 

are required to show proof that 

employee benefits have been paid 

prior to settling an invoice. Random 

visits are also made to the premises 

of the contractor to verify compliance 

with the legislation in terms of child 

labor, health and safety, and clean 

production. 

Non-Discrimination 

Our company rejects all types of 

discrimination and to date we have 

no complaints of this sort have been 

lodged against us. 

Child and Forced Labor 

VIA Wine strongly opposes child labor. 

It does not employ anyone under the 

age of 18 without notarized authorization 

from their parents. Likewise, 

our company opposes and prohibits 

forced labor in every aspect or sphere 

of influence. 

Security Practices 

It is important to note that while the 

VIA Wines staff has been trained in 

safety and human rights, monitoring 

of such has been outsourced to the 

Eulen company, whose staff is trained 

in these matters, through the Private 

Security Division (OS 10) of the Chilean 

police force. 

Indigenous Rights 

During the period reported no incidents 

of violations of indigenous rights 

have been registered. 

Society 

As stated in the G3 GRI methodology, 

this section discusses the issues of 

corruption, public policy, competition 

and regulatory compliance in detail. 

Corruption 

While VIA Wines has not trained its 

staff in anti-corruption policies, due to 

their honesty and as a product of internal 

managerial processes, our winery 

has not been involved in any actions 

related to corruption. 

In the event that a case of corruption 

be detected, the people involved will be 

removed from their positions as is established 

by Internal Regulations. SO4 

Public Policy 

Although VIA Wines has no policy in 

this regard, the company does not 

support any political party or government. 

Our position on the development 

of public policies that affect our industry 

is represented through the Vinos de 

Chile A.G. Association. 

Anti-Competitive Behavior 

In this matter, VIA Wines opposes all 

acts of anti-competitive competition, 

regardless of who is involved. 

Compliance 

During the period reported, our winery 

has not received any sanctions or fines 

for incompliance with current laws, 

standards, or regulations. 

24

Product Responsibility dimension 

The fourth category of the social 

dimension refers to all processes related 

our products, such as health and 

safety, labeling, customer satisfaction, 

communication, and marketing, etc. 

Customer Health and Safety 

The products made by our winery 

comply with all legal requirements 

established in Chile and our destination 

markets. Furthermore, our labels 

display the true alcohol level determined 

in the Analysis Reports prepared 

by recognized entities authorized for 

such purposes, including Servicios 

Terroir (Humbser & Humbser). 

Similarly, we strictly manage the 

quality of our products, from harvest 

and/or reception of the grapes to the 

shipping and marketing of the finished 

product. 

No breaches of the law have been registered 

during this reporting period. 

Labeling 

Our labels comply with the requirements 

of law in Chile and in the countries 

to which we export. No breaches 

of regulation have been registered 

during the period reported. 

Customer Satisfaction 

The Customer Service unit conducts an 

annual survey of all of our customers 

to determine their degree of satisfaction 

with the service provided. The 

members of the Sales and Marketing 

management areas continuously visit 

our customers around the world, 

during which time they also research 

feedback in this area. 

Marketing Communications 

Our internal and external communications 

are based on the principles established 

by our organization and must 

be real, objective, and not misleading. 

During the period reported we have not 

received sanctions for noncompliance 

with legal regulations in force in Chile 

or abroad, nor have we received complaints 

related to the leakage of personal 

data of our customers or violations 

of the private life of individuals. 

As indicated, in matters of communication, 

we adhere to the Code of Advertising 

Ethics for members of Vinos 

de Chile A.G. We also adhere to the 

Code of Advertising Ethics developed 

by the Council of Self-Regulation and 

Advertising Ethics (CONAR). 

It is important to note that during the 

period reported we have not been 

fined for the supply and consumption 

of our products by the governmental 

consumer protection agency SERNAC 

(National Consumer Service), or any 

other regulatory entity. 

25

4to 

CHAPTER 

Environmental Dimension 

In this chapter we present information on how VIA Wines conducts its operations respecting environment. 

26

Rodolfo Ortiz 

CEO Recuperadora Ortiz 

VIA Wines is committed with the environment 

Today companies are experiencing a 

development in terms of their relationship with 

the environment in which the recycling process 

plays a significant role. 

We work with VIA Wines for over a year now 

with excellent conditions in the recycling of 

papers, cartons, plastic, glass, metallic bands 

and nylon reflecting VIA Wines commitment 

with the environment. 

27

Environmental Dimension 

In accordance with the G3 GRI methodology, 

the environmental dimension 

should include information about 

the company’s management of the 

consumption of materials, energy, 

water, care for biodiversity, emissions, 

effluents and wastes, products and 

services, transportation, and compliance 

with environmental regulations 

and investments. 

Due to VIA Wines’ particular line of 

business, some of these indicators are 

impossible to report. 

VIA Wines has a foundational policy of 

strict compliance with the obligations 

established in the current law and in 

international policies relative to its line 

of business. 

Energy 

VIA Wines’ Energy Efficiency policy 

seeks to minimize the use of electricity 

in winery operations while ensuring 

the proper operation and safety of its 

personnel. Viña San Rafael operates 

with energy from Sistema Interconectado 

Central (SIC), plus a generator 

during months with peak hours. 

In 2010 the total consumption of 

energy obtained from SIC, including the 

winery’s operations in the San Rafael 

cellar and the home office was 1.12 

mWh, which represents a 22% decrease 

with respect to 2009, which had 1.50 

mWh of energy consumption. This 

decrease is due to the change in the 

production and vinification processes aimed 

at decreasing energy consumption 

(kW/Liter of bottled or dispatched wine). 

In terms of the generation of motorized 

energy, in 2010 usage was 0.54 

mWh, which represents a 20% decrease 

with respect to 2009 (0.58 mWh). 

Energy Efficiency 

For VIA Wines energy efficiency is an 

ongoing process through which we 

seek to decrease the use of energy and 

thereby contribute to the conservation 

of the environment. Among the actions 

implemented in 2010 we can highlight 

the following: 

Change in the processes used to 

stabilize the wine before bottling or 

shipping. This measure has allowed us 

to decrease energy use in the process 

by 60% with respect to the previous 

year. In 2010 energy consumption 

during this process was 0.73 mWh, 

which is 30% less than the 0.95 mWh 

consumed in 2009. 

Efficiency in the lighting system in the 

cellars. 

Change in the type of light bulbs used 

in offices and hallways. 

Installation of posters that encourage 

energy savings in the offices. 

Water 

The water used in the San Rafael cellar 

is supplied by deep well extraction. 

As part of the VIA Wines Sustainability 

Project, in 2010 mechanisms and 

actions were implemented to decrease 

water consumption by seeking proper 

balance between the sustainability 

of our business and the care for the 

natural resource by protecting the 

environment. In this sense we have 

implemented: 

The reuse of water used in washing 

tanks (similar to the CIP system) 

Use of self-stopping water supply in 

the wine cellar 

Use of high-pressure, low-flow 

washing systems (hydro-washers) in 

some specific processes of cleaning 

the cellar 

Standardization of in-line bottle washing 

depending on the type of bottle 

used (programming of wines oriented 

toward fewer washings per day) 

Staff training on the efficient use of 

water resources. 

28

The annual consumption of water in 

the Viña San Rafael cellar in 2010 was 

7,744 m3, which corresponds to 1.4 

liters of water consumed per liter of 

wine dispatched. 

EmiSSions, Effluents, and Waste 

VIA Wines implemented the use of 

Biomass Boilers that burn wood chips. 

This material is a byproduct of lumber 

companies in the area of the winery. 

Emissions in this system are considerably 

lower than those generated by 

boilers that use liquid gas (the system 

formerly used by the winery), due to 

the nature of gas as a fossil fuel. 

Sewage 

Liquid industrial wastewater (LIW) 

goes through an aerobic treatment 

system that consists of a reception 

area and the discharge of liquid waste 

to a pond designed for aerobically treating 

the water. The treated liquid waste 

is within the parameters established in 

Standard 90, for surface water runoff. 

This system is approved by the SISS, 

which monitors compliance with the 

Standard. In 2010, 9,600 m3 of LIW was 

generated. 

Cardboard & Paper 

For the purpose of recycling cardboard, 

VIA Wines has established an 

agreement with a company belonging 

to Rodolfo Ortiz (Resolution Nº 606) to 

provide containers to store the waste 

products and remove them when they 

are full. 

For recycling paper waste generated in 

its San Rafael and Santiago offices, VIA 

Wines has established an agreement 

with the Sorepa S.A. company to remove 

the paper that has been stored in 

containers provided for that purpose. 

In 2010, a total of 100 tons of cardboard 

was removed. 

The same company also removes plastic, 

glass, metal bands, and nylon from 

our premises. The company provides 

containers for the proper storage of 

these waste materials and returns to 

remove them when they are full. 

The volumes removed in 2010 were: 

• Nylon: 22 tons 

• Glass: 319 tons 

Waste 

VIA Wines’s principal waste derives 

from the trash generated in its offices: 

cardboard, paper, plastics, glass, 

metal bands, lees, filtering earth, and 

organic waste such as pomace and 

stalks. A total of 735 m3 of waste was 

generated in 2010. 

29

Lees and Filtering Earth 

Via Wines has established an agreement 

with the Distribuidora Industrial 

Disa S.A. company (N° Resolution 

2475), for the removal of lees and 

filtering earth. IN 2010, 154 tons of 

these materials were removed from 

the premises. 

Pomace and Stalks 

The winery’s organic waste, such as 

pomace and stalks, are stored in a 

sector of the winery established for 

that purpose and where a process that 

includes temperature and the lack 

of oxygen is used to create a product 

similar to compost, which is later 

incorporated into the vineyards. 

Hazardous Waste 

Operations at VIA Wines do not require 

the transportation of hazardous substances 

as established by the Basel 

Convention on heavy metals. 

Furthermore, no accidental spills of 

hazardous substances were recorded 

in any VIA Wines operation during 

2010. 

Compliance 

VIA Wines received no fines for noncompliance 

with environmental standards 

during the 2009–2010 period. 

Via Wines is in the process of changing 

all of its existing heat-generating 

boilers to biomass boilers. Furthermore, 

the winery is considering the implementation 

of solar panels to incorporate 

heat into the system and thereby 

aid the conventional boiler, and the use 

of the Solartube system, which aids in 

lighting with cellars naturally. 

Biodiversity 

Finally, it bears mention that the installations 

of our winery and vineyards do 

not affect protected natural areas or 

those of high diversity and therefore do 

not produce a significant impact on the 

environment. 

At the time that this report was prepared, 

VIA Wines was in the process 

of certification under the Chilean Wine 

Industry’s Sustainability Code, which 

contains parameters for evaluation 

and guidance in the protection of the 

environment of the winery’s operations. 

Contact Information: CONTRA- 

Portada REPORTE 

In accordance of the practices contemplated 

by the G3 GRI guide, Viña VIA 

Wine has designated our Marketing 

Manager, Eduardo Wexman, as the 

person who should respond to any 

questions or concerns manifested with 

respect to the contents of this report. 

General Environmental Investments 

Anyone who would like to express questions, 

concerns, or suggestions can contact him by telephone 

at (56 2) 355-9900, by faX at (56 2) 355-9926, 

email: ewexman@viawines.com, or Web: Web: 

www.viawines.com 

30

GRI Indicators 

1: Profile 

1.1 Statement from the senior decision maker 3 

1.2 Description of key impacts, risks, and opportunities 3 

2: organization PROFILE 

2.1 Name of informing organization 3, 6 

2.2 Brands, products & services 6 

2.3 Operational structure of the organization 4, 9, 10 

2.4 Location of headquarters 7 

2.5 Countries where the organization operates 6, 7 

2.6 Nature of ownership and legal form 7 

2.7 Primary markets served 6 

2.8 Scale of the reporting organization 6 

2.9 Significant changes during the reporting period. 3 

2.10 Awards received during the period reported. 7 

3: REPORT PARAMETERS 

3.1 Reporting period. 8 

3.2 Date of most recent previous report. 3, 8 

3.3 Reporting cycle. 8 

3.4 Contact point. 30 

3.5 Process for defining report content. 8 

3.6 Boundary of the report (e.g., countries, divisions, subsidiaries, leased facilities, joint ventures, suppliers). 6 

3.7 State any specific limitations on the scope or boundary of the report. 8 

3.8 Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries, leased facilities, and outsourced operations, etc. 

3.9 Data measurement techniques and the bases of calculations 8 

3.10 Explanation of the effect of any re-statements of information provided in earlier reports. 8 

3.11 Significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods 

applied in the report. 8 

3.12 Table identifying the location of the Standard Disclosures in the report. 31 to 37 

3.13 Policy and current practice with regard to seeking external assurance for the report. 

4: GOVERNANCE, COMMITMENT & engagement 

4.1 Governance structure of the organization. 9, 10 

4.2 Function of the highest executive. 9 

4.3 Board structure. 9 

4.4 Participation of shareholders and employees. 9 

4.5 Linkage between compensation for members of the highest governance body. 

4.6 Processes in place for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided. 

31

4.7 Process for determining the qualifications and expertise of the members of the highest governance body to 

guide the organization’s strategy on economic, environmental, and social issues. 

4.8 Statements of mission and values. 10 

4.9 Procedures of the highest governance body for overseeing the organization’s identification and management 

of economic, environmental, and social performance. 11 

4.10 Processes for evaluating the highest governance body’s performance. 9 

4.11 Explanation of whether the organization has adopted a precautionary approach or principle. 

4.12 Economic, environmental, and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the organization 

subscribes or endorses. 3, 6, 11 

4.13 Memberships in associations and/or national/international advocacy organizations. 11 

4.14 List of stakeholder groups engaged by the organization. 11 

4.15 Basis for identification and selection of stakeholders. 

4.16 Approaches to engaging with different stakeholder groups. 

4.17 Key topics and concerns that have been raised through stakeholder engagement. 

ECONOMIC-FINANCIAL DIMENSION 

Aspect: ECONOMIC-FINANCIAL DIMENSION 

EC1 Direct economic value generated and distributed, including revenues, operating costs, employee 

compensation, donations and other community investments, retained earnings, and payments to capital 

providers and governments. 15, 16 

EC2 Financial implications and other risks and opportunities for the organization’s activities due to climate change. 

EC3 Coverage of the organization’s defined benefit plan obligations. 21 

EC4 Significant financial assistance received from government. 16 

Aspect: MARKET PRESENCE 

EC5 Range of ratios of standard entry-level wage by gender compared to local minimum wage at significant 

locations of operation. 16 

EC6 Policy, practices, and proportion of spending on locally based suppliers at significant locations of operation. 16 

EC7 Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior management hired from the local community at 

locations of significant operation. 16 

Aspect: indirect ECONOMIC IMPactS 

EC8 Development and impact of infrastructure investments and services provided primarily for public benefit 

through commercial, in kind, or pro bono engagement. 

EC9 Understanding and describing significant indirect economic impacts, including the extent of impacts. 16 

32

SOCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

LABOR PracticeS & WORKPlace ETHICS 

Aspect: EMPloyment 

LA1 Total workforce by employment type, employment contract, and region, broken down by gender. 19, 20 

LA2 Total number and rate of new employee hires and employee turnover by age group, gender, and region. 

LA3 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees, by 

significant locations of operation. 21, 22 

Aspect: LABOR/management relationS 

LA4 Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. 20 

LA5 Minimum notice period(s) regarding operational changes, including whether it is specified in collective 

agreements. 20 

Aspect: OCCUPATIONAL health & SAFETY 

LA6 Percentage of total workforce represented in formal joint management–worker health and safety committees 

that help monitor and advise on occupational health and safety programs. 22 

LA7 Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities 

by region and by gender. 22 and 23 

LA8 Education, training, counseling, prevention, and risk-control programs in place to assist workforce 

members, their families, or community members regarding serious diseases. 23 

LA9 Health and safety topics covered in formal agreements with tradde unions. 

Aspect: TRAINING & education 

LA10 Average hours of training per year per employee by gender, and by employee category. 24 

LA11 Programs for skills management and lifelong learning that support the continued employability of 

employees and assist them in managing career endings. 

LA12 Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews, by gender. 

Aspect: DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 

LA13 Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees per employee category according to 

gender, age group, minority group membership, and other indicators of diversity. 

LA14 Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men by employee category, by significant locations 

of operation. 24 

33

SOCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 

HUMAN RIGHTS 

Aspect: INVESTMENT & SUPPly PracticeS 

HR1 Percentage and total number of significant investment agreements and contracts that include clauses 

incorporating human rights concerns, or that have undergone human rights screening. 

HR2 Percentage of significant suppliers, contractors and other business partners that have undergone human 

rights screening, and actions taken. 

HR3 Total hours of employee training on policies and procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are 

relevant to operations, including the percentage of employees trained. 

Aspect: NON-DIScrimination 

HR4 Total number of incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken. 24 

Aspect: FREEDOM OF ASSociation AND collectiVE Bargaining 

HR5 Operations and significant suppliers identified in which the right to exercise freedom of association and 

collective bargaining may be violated or at significant risk, and actions taken to support these rights. 20 

Aspect: CHILD LABOR 

HR6 Operations and significant suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labor, and 

measures taken to contribute to the effective abolition of child labor. 24 

Aspect: forced & COMPULSORY LABOR 

HR7 Operations and significant suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory 

labor, and measures to contribute to the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor. 24 

Aspect: SECURITY PracticeS 

HR8 Percentage of security personnel trained in the organization’s policies or procedures concerning aspects of 

human rights that are relevant to operations. 24 

Aspect: INDIGENOUS RIGHTS 

HR9 Total number of incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous people and actions taken. 24 

SOCIAL Performance indicatorS 

SOCIETY 

Aspect: local COMMUNITY 

SO1 Nature, scope, and effectiveness of any programs and practices that assess and manage the impacts of 

operations on communities, including entering, operating, and exiting the company. 

34

Aspect: CORRUPTION 

SO2 Percentage and total number of business units analyzed for risks related to corruption. 

SO3 Percentage of employees trained in organization’s anti-corruption policies and procedures. 

SO4 Actions taken in response to incidents of corruption. 24 

Aspect: PUBLIC Policy 

SO5 Public policy positions and participation in public policy development and lobbying. 24 

SO6 Total value of financial and in-kind contributions to political parties, politicians, and related institutions 

by country. 

Aspect: ANTI-COMPETITIVE BAHAVIOR 

SO7 Total number of legal actions for anticompetitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices and their 

outcomes. 24 

Aspect: COMPLIANCE 

SO8 Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for noncompliance with 

laws and regulations. 24 

SOCIAL Performance indicatorS 

Product RESPONSIBILITY 

Aspect: CUStomer health & SAFETY 

PR1 Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement, 

and percentage of significant products and services categories subject to such procedures. 25 

PR2 Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning health and 

afety impacts of products and services during their life cycle, by type of outcomes. 

Aspect: Product & SERVICES LABELING 

PR3 Type of product and service information required by procedures, and percentage of significant products and 

services subject to such information requirements. 25 

PR4 Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning product and 

service information and labeling, by type of outcomes. 25 

PR5 Practices related to customer satisfaction, including results of surveys measuring customer satisfaction. 25 

35

Aspect: MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS 

PR6 Programs for adherence to laws, standards, and voluntary codes related to marketing communications, 

including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. 11 and 25 

PR7 Total number of incidents of non-compliance with regulations and voluntary codes concerning marketing 

communications, including advertising, promotion, and sponsorship by type of outcomes. 25 

PR8 Total number of substantiated complaints regarding breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer 

data. 25 


PR9 Monetary value of significant fines for noncompliance with laws and regulations concerning the provision and 

use of products and services. 25 

Indicator (Code) Description 

ENVironmental Performance indicatorS 

Aspect: materialS 

EN1 Materials used by weight or volume. 

EN2 Percentage of materials used that are recycled input materials. 

Aspect: energy 

EN3 Direct energy consumption by primary energy source. 28 

EN4 Indirect energy consumption by primary source. 

EN5 Energy saved due to conservation and efficiency improvements. 

EN6 Initiatives to provide energy-efficient or renewable energy based products and services, and reductions in 

energy requirements as a result of these initiatives. 28 

EN7 Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption and reductions achieved. 

Aspect: WATER 

EN8 Total water withdrawal by source. 28 and 29 

EN9 Water sources significantly affected by withdrawal of water. 

EN10 Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused. 

Aspect: BIODIVERSITY 

EN11 Location and size of land owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high 

biodiversity value outside protected areas. 30 

EN12 Description of significant impacts of activities, products, and services on biodiversity in protected areas and 

areas of high biodiversity value outsider protected areas. 

EN13 Habitats protected or restored. 

EN14 Strategies, current actions, and future plans for managing impacts on biodiversity. 6, 30 

EN15 Number of IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by 

operations, by level of extinction risk. 

36

Aspect: EMISSIONS, EFFLUENTS & WASTE 

EN16 Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight. 

EN17 Other relevant indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight. 

EN18 Initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reductions achieved. 

EN19 Emissions of ozone-depleting substances by weight. 

EN20 NO, SO, and other significant air emissions by type and weight. 

EN21 Total water discharge by quality and destination. 29 

EN22 Total weight of waste by type and disposal method. 29, 30 

EN23 Total number and volume of significant spills. 30 

EN24 Weight of transported, imported, exported, or treated waste deemed hazardous under the terms of the Basel 

Convention Annex I, II, III, and VIII, and percentage of transported waste shipped internationally. 30 

EN25 Identity, size, protected status, and biodiversity value of water bodies and related habitats significantly 

affected by the reporting organization’s discharges of water and runoff. 

Aspect: ProductS & SERVICES 

EN26 Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts of products and services, and extent of impact mitigation. 

EN27 Percentage of products sold and their packaging materials that are reclaimed by category. 


EN28 Monetary value of significant fines and total number of non-monetary sanctions for noncompliance with 

environmental laws and regulations. 

Aspect: TRANSPORT 

EN29 Significant environmental impacts of transporting products and other goods and materials used for the 

organization’s operations, and transporting members of the workforce. 

Aspect: GENERAL 

EN30 Total environmental protection expenditures and investments by type. 

37

FEEDBACK SURVEY 

¿Wich is your relationship with VIA Wines (Viña San Rafael S.A.) 

VIA Wines employee 

VIA Wines Shareholder or Employee 

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Journalist / media 

Other: specify 

Please indicate the sections that are of most interest to you indicating with a number 1 the most 

interesting and 5 the least interesting 

Message from the CEO 

General Concepts 

VIA Wines Economic and Financial Dimensions 

VIA Wines Social Dimension 

Labor practices and work ethics 

Professional carrer 

Human Rights 

VIA Wines environmental dimensión 

What is your opinion of VIA Wines Sustainability Report 

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Your comments, suggestions and opinions of VIA Wines GRI report are welcomed. Please send this survey 

to ewexman@viawienes.com 38

Carbon Footprint 

Certified 

Labeling paper 

www.fsc.org 

Sustainable 

Ecoglass Bottles 

Sustainable 

Shippers 

Huella de Carbono 

Papeles de Etiquetas 

www.viawines.com 

www.fsc-chile.org 

Botellas Ecoglass 

Sustentables 

39

Sustainability Report, Download - Via Wines

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