ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FROM BIODYNAMIC PRODUCTION: AN ALTERNATIVE TO SUSTAINABILITY IN A SANTA CATARINA WINERY

Abstract

From a case study at Vinícola Santa Augusta (Santa Augusta Winery) - VSA, this paper aims to understand the process of biodynamic production and its contribution to the sustainability of the enterprise and the environment. VSA has developed sustainable actions in its production process by growing biodynamic grapes, to meet a strategic need of the market, but with no intention of developing an environmental management strategy in the process. This study is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, with theoretical support based on Biodynamics concepts and their contributions to the environment, beyond Environmental Management concepts from the perspective of Rohrich and Cunha (2004) and Maimon (1994).This article aims at proposing the implementation of an environmental management by the company, from the gradual adoption of sustainable practices and the maintenance of biodynamic farming in its production process. This research showed that biodynamic production is still modest in Brazil, mainly in the wine industry, and VSA is a pioneer in the segment. The study also allows for the understanding of Biodynamics as an alternative for sustainable production, conservation characteristics of non-renewable resources and respect for the limits of nature, besides allowing for quality products, with high added value.