DELINAT

Delinat Standards

The Delinat standards go far beyond general requirements for organic farming and other organic regulations (EU, Bio Suisse).

In addition to prohibiting synthetic chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and genetic engineering laws, Delinat standards require the promotion of biodiversity and strictly limit the use of copper and sulfur to combat vineyard diseases. During vinification in the cellar, preservation additives (sulfur) and interventions, as well as fining and filtration, are severely restricted.

Main Purpose: Biodiversity Charter

The fundamental principle of quality-focused viticulture is based on the targeted promotion of biodiversity. The vineyard is considered an ecosystem that achieves balance only through a network of biodiversity. The primary goal of promoting biodiversity is to transform vineyards into stable ecosystems with secondary crops such as hedges, trees, vegetables, fruits, cereals, aromatic herbs, or fruit hedges. This increases the sustainability of natural resources and improves soil quality.

Primary Goals of Delinat Standards:

• Biological management of the entire vineyard
• Economic fertilization in a closed environment
• Continuous greening (except in dry areas)
• No chemical-synthetic plant protection products (promotion of beneficial organisms)
• Gentle winemaking with limited use of auxiliary substances

Delinat standards also include minimum social requirements regarding employment contracts, safety, and rights. They are based on a phased model that divides the level of compliance with additional evaluation criteria into one, two, and three snail levels.

The first stage is much stricter than the EU Organic Regulation. Compliance with the rules is monitored by bio.inspecta, the Swiss organic control body, in cooperation with the federal states' organic control organizations.

Regulation Comparison:

Delinat and Biodiversity:

The best wine is created in harmony with nature. This is the philosophy of Delinat. The Swiss wine trading company was founded in 1980 by Karl Schefer. His vision was to bring the most barren vineyards in Europe to life.

Delinat is recognized as a pioneer of quality wines from healthy nature. With its ambitious rules, Delinat wines are produced by more than 100 organic wine producers across Europe.

Europe's Most Stringent Organic Rules:

Organic viticulture is fashionable. The increasing dominance of industrial biology only meets minimum conditions and leads to monoculture. Therefore, Delinat decided to establish its own rules in 1983. Delinat goes beyond EU organic and other organic labels (Ecovin, Demeter, Bio Suisse) and aims to promote biodiversity. The goal is to create vineyards with self-regulating and stable ecosystems, providing above-average wine and soil quality.

In 2010, Delinat rules were evaluated by WWF Switzerland and the Consumer Protection Foundation, receiving the "strongly recommended" rating among the 32 highest-scoring Swiss organic labels. In 2015, this decision was confirmed by the Pusch Foundation (Swiss Environmental Protection Practice), and Delinat was named the best Swiss organic brand. It is based on a phased model that divides compliance with more than 100 principles related to viticulture and winemaking into levels marked by one, two, or three snails.

Biodiversity Instead of Monoculture:

The principles binding all wine buyers, known as the "Charter for Vineyards with High Biodiversity," form the basis of wines with high biodiversity. In Delinat's "vineyards of the future," in addition to grapes, flowers, grasses, plants, fruits, and vegetables flourish in living soils. This diversity guarantees a closed natural cycle, ensuring high-quality wines at every level.

Delinat winemakers gradually implement this vision. They promote biodiversity with species-rich green plants between rows of vines, flowering strips, hedges, trees, plant islands, and shelters for various fauna around the vineyards. At the same time, there are significant restrictions on using copper and sulfur solutions allowed in organic viticulture to protect crops.

Involving Customers:

Delinat tries to directly involve customers in the Biodiversity Initiative. In addition, many tours are organized for wine producers. Thus, customers can see the implementation of biodiversity goals firsthand and apply some additional control functions. The production process of all wines presented on the homepage will be transparently displayed to customers, showing compliance with more than 100 Delinat criteria for each wine. Wines meeting the highest ecological standards are rewarded with three snails.

Delinat Consulting:

The driving force behind viticulture with a wide range of products is the Delinat consulting department. Their mission is the continuous development of Delinat wine grown in high biodiversity, thus improving wine quality. The department provides online services and supervision to approximately 100 Delinat wine producers through annual visits, continuous training seminars, a help hotline, and a comprehensive online portal. Delinat consulting assigns research contracts and collaborates with independent institutes and universities. Delinat finances one percent of its sales for this department.

In close cooperation with universities, research institutions, and innovative wine hunters, methods and strategies for ecologically and economically sustainable quality wine cultivation are developed. The knowledge gained is continuously adapted to the evolving Delinat rules and shared with Delinat wine producers across Europe through courses and individual advice.