The Áster winery in Anguix (Burgos) has just opened a solar farm to use energy using renewable sources. This new facility consists of 152 modules and it is located on the southwest slope of the Ribera del Duero winery, where there is the highest exposure to solar radiation throughout the day.  The estimated generation of the facility will be in excess of 52,000 kWh/year and represents approximately 13% of the total average energy used. This will mean a reduction of more than 21 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The savings will mainly affect the air conditioning system of the barrel halls and the control of fermentation temperatures during the vintage.

With this initiative, the La Rioja Alta, S.A. winery group, of which Áster is part since it was founded in 1989, reaffirms its total commitment to clean energy, sustainability and the environment. In 2018, it set up another solar farm of over 1,200 m2 at its facilities in Labastida (Álava) and, in 2014, its Torre de Oña winery in Rioja Alavesa became the first Rioja winery to introduce biomass as an energy fuel.

In addition, other measures include limiting treatments in the vineyards with integrated management, reusing water, using corks and cases made with sustainably managed materials, the decision to experimentally manage 16 hectares of estate-owned vineyards in Rioja Oriental and Ribera del Duero following organic viticulture practices and the installation of allied micro-fauna shelters in the vineyards to provide shelter for beneficial insects and arachnids, a highly selective, eco-friendly, plant-health measure.