Most of the top barrel producers claim to support sustainability, but Toneleria Murua is taking sustainability to a new level. The cooperage was started by Elena Murua’s great grandfather in 1898. Elena studied biology and got a master's degree in environmental engineering before taking over management of the cooperage in 2009.
It’s no surprise, Toneleria Murua’s commitment to sustainability has been a core value for many years. While their priority is to produce quality barrels, they also recognize the importance of efficiency and environmental responsibility in their operations.
When Toneleria Murua relocated to its current facilities in Navarrete, they made significant changes that set the course for a sustainable future. Investing in safer and more modern facilities and machinery has improved efficiency throughout the production cycles, ensuring that sustainability is not just a concept but a practical reality.
What Real Sustainability Looks Like
One of the key pillars of Toneleria Murua's sustainability efforts is the effective reuse and recycling of waste generated during the barrel production process. Through their biomass boiler, sawdust and wood waste are transformed into energy, significantly reducing the company's carbon footprint. This transition has resulted in a remarkable reduction of 100,000kg of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The energy produced not only powers their cooperage, but it also heats the water used to immerse the barrels, eliminating the need for diesel. These initiatives bring Toneleria Murua closer to achieving zero waste and energy self-sufficiency.
Toneleria Murua goes beyond their internal recycling efforts by collaborating with other companies to transform and add value to leftover wood. This commitment to circular energy promotes sustainability and supports a responsible approach within the industry. Furthermore, Toneleria Murua ensures the traceability of each step involved in the wood's journey, from its arrival at the cooperage. They carefully select wood from sustainable sources, guaranteeing the future of both the raw material and the cooperage itself.
Toneleria Murua also recognizes the importance of biodiversity. Wood not only gives life to their wine barrels but also provides a habitat for small insects such as bees. This interplay fosters biodiversity and contributes to the natural processes that benefit the environment.
Saving the Spanish Forests
An example of their commitment to sustainable forest management is the use of Spanish Oak (quercus pyrenaica). Locally referred to as "rebollo," this rare oak mostly grows in the Castilla y Leon region in Spain and has largely been forgotten about. Finding use for the wood in the winemaking sector is part of a broad effort to rejuvenate the forests and make them more valuable to society, which in turn leads to better management of the forests and a sustainable future.
Consumption Control
Recent strides have witnessed the incorporation of solar panels, solidifying their resolve to minimize dependence on the electricity grid and further diminish their environmental impact. A meticulous strategy of “Consumption Control” has been instituted via a digital energy sub-metering project, enabling precise oversight of various consumption centers, and optimizing each process’s efficiency through data analysis on a cloud platform.
DNA of the Cask
A unique and insightful “DNA of the Cask” initiative has been infused into their production, attributing a distinct identification label to each cask. This label transcends mere identification, encompassing the type of wood and detailed production data, aligning with their PEFC commitment against climate change and enhancing traceability and environmental accountability.
Exceeding Standards
Significantly, their new cooperage is a testament to their energy-efficient construction. Walls, windows, and ceilings, constructed with insulation, exceeding environmental standards, not only facilitate energy savings but also enhance comfort for operators throughout the seasons. Additionally, the infusion of high-efficiency machinery and technology ensures a seamless and sustainable operation across various processes and subprocesses, such as extraction and cask manufacturing.
To ensure sustainable sourcing, all suppliers are mandated to adhere strictly to prevailing environmental regulations, safeguarding the future of raw materials and, by extension, the cooperage itself.
VinEthos is dedicated to representing and bringing these sustainably-produced, high-quality wine barrels to the U.S. market. VinEthos shares Toneleria Murua's commitment to sustainability and quality.
Toneleria Murua's innovative approach to sustainability is setting a new standard in the barrel industry. Their dedication to zero waste, energy efficiency and biodiversity conservation is a testament to their commitment to creating a sustainable future.
Learn more about Toneleria Murua here.
