Enhancing wine industry sustainability: An empirical test of the sustainable wine assessment tool

The validation of sustainability indicators is a critical process that must be conducted at various stages of development and implementation. In this article, we evaluate the Sustainable Wine Assessment Tool, a framework designed to objectively measure sustainability performance across decision-making levels in the wine value chain. The evaluation process involves two steps. First, the framework is applied to the Portuguese wine sector to assess the indicators' accuracy and scientific quality. Second, the tool's performance is measured against recommended attributes for effective sustainability assessments. Findings suggest that this assessment framework can serve as an effective tool for sustainability monitoring and management efforts. The selected indicators demonstrated reliability, and the theoretical framework exhibits substantial strengths, making it a valuable addition to any indicator-based system. Additionally, the framework's easily interpretable results highlight its potential as an effective communication instrument, in line with the commitment to creating a scientifically robust yet user-friendly tool. This study presents a practical approach to evaluating sustainability indicators using empirical data from scientific research. This method has proven highly effective, particularly in contexts with limited data and where direct comparisons are challenging. It ensures both contextually relevant assessments and robust evaluations of the indicators' accuracy. • Holistic approach evaluates sustainability effectively in data-limited scenarios. • Validated tool assesses wine industry sustainability comprehensively. • Sustainability indicators meet strict criteria for accuracy and reliability. • Tested assessment framework fosters transparency and accountability. • Measurement results guide actionable steps to enhance sustainability performance.