La Playa Wines was born from the dream and union of two wine-making families brought together by two forces: viticulture and the Pacific coast.
The Sutil Family, from Colchagua, Chile, and the Axelsen Family, from Napa Valley, California, confident in Chile’s advantageous geography and climate, began planting vineyards in 1990 on the banks of the Tinguiririca River in Peralillo, Colchagua Valley, thus giving birth to LA PLAYA WINES.
Currently, the project is being spearheaded by the second generation of both families. This new generation is even more conscientious about caring for the ecosystem and in particular, the coast.
Therefore, in 2020, La Playa Wines decided to evolve its purpose and use our business as a tool to help protect and care for the environment. Specifically, contributing 1% of our income to restoring and protecting the coastline.
Why do we want to protect the coastline?
We believe we are capable of generating change. Thousands of species depend on the coastline and we still have time to reverse the problem.
What is the connection between the wines and the coastline?
Chile is a long, narrow country, whose waters run from east to west, from the Andes Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. As the waters pass through the valleys, these rivers irrigate the vines and provide water to the communities.
Unfortunately, people throw their trash and other liquid waste into these water sources, that then contaminate the rivers and the sea. Once this trash arrives to the ocean, it also contaminates the wetlands and the coast, severely damaging the ecosystem’s flora and fauna.
Why do La Playa Wines taste of purpose?
Because in 2020, La Playa Wines became an official member of 1% FOR THE PLANET, becoming the first winery in Latin America to sign on to this initiative. We hope very much to inspire other companies and people to join
How do we direct funds to protect the coastline?
Every year, we direct funds raised from the sale of our wines to 1% FOR THE PLANET, who then donate these funds to non-profit organizations involved in conservation.
Which NGO receives our contribution?
This year in 2021, we made our first donation in Chile’s coastal area. The donation was directed through 1% FOR THE PLANET to the Punta de Lobos Foundation in Pichilemu, for its reforestation program in the park, with a total of 2,500 plants and their respective plantation of 19 native species.
The donation supports in-person environmental education workshops for rural schools in the Colchagua Valley so that they can learn about and value Punta de Lobos Foundation’s efforts to protect the coastline…their coastline!
Along with maintaining our support for the Punta de Lobos Foundation, in 2023 we will be supporting new NGOs.
Nauco
This NGO will be installing water bubble curtains in our rivers. Across the width of the rivers, a bubble curtain is formed generated by the injection of air from their system. The bubble system blocks the passage of plastics floating in the rivers. They work by creating a vertical barrier formed by small bubbles of air that rise to the surface. The bubble curtain directs the waste to their collector, which extracts the plastics and papers floating in their waters.
The benefits of their system are:
Increased oxygenation: Improves the water quality and the ecosystem’s quality by increasing oxygenation.
Reach and efficiency: This bubble curtain can cover the entire width and depth of the river, achieving efficient work.
No harm to ecosystems: It is not a threat to the life in the rivers, any species can cross through it.
Navigation and free passage: The system does not obstruct the passage of various vessels, they can cross freely through the river.
Capital Azul
This NGO focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Founded in 2017 with the objective of promoting a blue economy in Chile and Latin America, which is an approach to economic development that emphasizes the sustainable use of marine resources while preserving oceanic ecosystems.
Capital Azul works on a variety of initiatives related to marine conservation and sustainable development. Some of their main programs include:
Fishing and aquaculture: Capital Azul works to promote sustainable fishing practices and responsible aquaculture in Chile and other countries in the region. They also support artisanal fishermen and work to ensure their rights are protected.
Marine protected areas: The organization advocates for the creation of marine protected areas and works to promote conservation and management of these areas.
Capital Azul is a young and dynamic NGO that focuses on promoting sustainable development and conservation of the oceans and marine resources.
