A new building at Vinitaly to announce the results achieved and our next goals.
Turnover increases again, by 7% for a total of 96 million euros,
EQUALITAS sustainability certification, the high-performance e-commerce platform,
partnership with Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 in MotoGP™,
extensions, acquisitions and a limited edition to promote peace.
Vinitaly 14-17 April 2024. At the upcoming edition of Vinitaly, a further extended and refurbished building will be the new headquarters of Viticoltori Ponte, which continues to grow by implementing winning strategies that result in increasingly positive numbers year after year.
In fact, although 2023 was a critical year, particularly due to the global political/economic situation, the company achieved the targets set at the start of the year, with a 7% increase in turnover to reach 96 million euros. The strong drive in the domestic market was accompanied by steady development in the North American market with a significant turnaround in Canada. Excellent signals are being received from new business partners in the USA and China. Asian countries, particularly Korea and Indonesia, did not disappoint, with equally positive results in former Soviet markets Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, which grew by 50%. A special mention goes to Australia, which is showing excellent performance. The drivers of this expansion are the company’s cornerstone products, Prosecco and Pinot Grigio, with an increasingly sharp upturn in Prosecco Rosé. These results take on even greater significance considering that they were achieved abroad with 50% of own-brand products compared to 24% in 2018, when it was decided to invest in this direction.
Speaking of investment, the company is preparing to open its new automated warehouse with 5,000 pallet pitches at Ponte di Piave, part of a three-year plan that also includes an increase in storage capacity to 60,000 hectolitres at the Caposile site and the acquisition of the La Salute winery, whose current storage capacity of about 15,000 hectolitres is to be doubled with additional installations for the harvests of the next few years.
A process lasting more than a year that has resulted in the Ponte di Piave Winery being declared officially sustainable, thanks to the attainment of EQUALITAS certification, which guarantees proper overall development that respects the environment and human rights. Following in-depth analysis and thorough audits, CSQA, the leading public auditing body in the “agriculture” and “food and beverage” sectors, certified that the Viticoltori Ponte sustainability management system complies with the SOPD EQUALITAS standard, drawn up in line with the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals cover aspects that are fundamental to global development and aim to end poverty, fight inequality, tackle climate change and build peaceful societies that respect human rights. Sustainability should be considered not as a static state or vision, rather as an on-going process that calls for the reconciliation of the three fundamental and inseparable dimensions, or pillars, of development:
ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION: proper use of environmental resources
SOCIAL DIMENSION: respect for human dignity and rights
ECONOMIC DIMENSION: economic well-being and fairness
These cornerstones encompass a set of requirements, also known as “Good Practices” (Good Vineyard Practices, Good Winery and Bottling Practices, Good Socioeconomic Practices, Good Communication Practices), which combine synergistically to result in effective and sustainable operations. These concepts have always been innate to Ponte, which in recent years has chosen to accelerate the process of improvement already successfully undertaken and aimed at ensuring the most ethical approach possible, inspired by worker and environmental well-being.
Alongside the Good Practices, the “Environmental Indicators” are essential for a proper management system and ongoing improvement. In this sphere, the Company has demonstrated, amongst other things, its commitment to reducing its carbon and water footprint by using renewable sources of energy – particularly solar power, which now exceeds 1.5 MW – and by recovering heat and water from the cooling systems, assisted by a considerable increase in organic farming with the utmost respect for biodiversity. All this was endorsed by the recent attainment of the National Quality System for Integrated Production (SQNPI) certification issued by the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, providing further protection for consumers thanks to the instantly recognisable bee logo on labels. “Balances change quickly,” commented Luigi Vanzella, General Manager of Viticoltori Ponte, “reminding us that nothing is to be taken for granted. Only caring for our Planet and the healthy cohabitation, guided by collaboration rather than destruction, of all living beings allow us to dream of a better future”.
It is precisely this direction that is being followed with the ongoing expansion of the Organic line, which currently consists of three high-quality wines: Prosecco DOC Extra Dry Bio, Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie Bio and Merlot IGT Veneto Bio, which all belong to PONTE’s flagship line. Remaining on the subject of products, the absolute newcomer to the range is the “for Peace” Special Edition, a magnum of Prosecco DOC Extra Dry Treviso, and an invitation to inclusion, cohesion and sharing, in a positive and peaceful climate. The label depicts a rising sun that brings peace, represented by the myriad colours reminiscent of the well-known flag, with an original interpretation that is in keeping with the spirit of the brand. The different hues of the rays represent the closeness between populations and invite harmony between individuals, peoples and ethic groups.
Developments on the distribution front most notably include the cutting-edge e-commerce platform shop.ponte1948.it, which communicates directly with the warehouse to manage more than 60 products with timely deliveries to any area. A user-friendly shop featuring a fresh and contemporary design that in the first few months of this year tripled the turnover achieved by the previous version in the same period in 2023 and is set to become a benchmark for online wine sales.
An increasingly important role is played by Marketing and Communication, which for 2024 have scheduled a high-impact Press Campaign and intensified presence on national television networks, assisted by intense social media activities with new, highly original and professional content. Sponsorship initiatives include, in addition to the long-standing collaboration with Imoco Volley, Treviso Basket and Miss Italia, an even sounder and more concrete participation by Ponte1948 in the world’s most popular motorcycle championship, which this year seals a truly sparkling partnership. From now on, the winery will be Sparkling Partner to Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, the French team led by Hervé Poncharal who in the MotoGP™ category will be riding a fully overhauled RC16, alongside two ambitious young riders, Augusto Fernández and Pedro Acosta, who already have a number of wins to their names. In addition, thanks to the renewed partnership with Dorna, the track, podium and VIP Village of the Red Bull San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix, scheduled for 6-8 September 2024, will once again bear the name of Ponte1948, MotoGP™ Supplier in all categories, as they will at the UK Grand Prix at Donington Park (12-14 July) in the WorldSBK category. The Company has also renewed its agreement with Severino Hospitality to supply its award-winning Prosecco DOC in the lounges of all legs of the championship.
On the events front, preparations are under way for the upcoming “Aperitifs at the Winery” as well as a programme of happenings and tastings in some of the most suggestive locations owned by the Group and its five wine shops.
VINITALY
Verona 14-17 April 2024
Hall 4 · Booth D5