Sustainable Wine – Details, episodes & analysis

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari speaks with Jody Bogle, vice president of consumer relations at Bogle Family Vineyards. They discuss Bogle’s new wine label, Element[AL] that launched earlier this year. The wine comes in a first-of-its-kind aluminium wine bottle - not a can, but a full-size wine bottle. Jody shares why they chose aluminum, what the process from inception to bottling looked like, and insights on consumer perceptions and marketing.

The SWR recently launched the Sustainable Viticulture Protocol. The protocol is a shared set of steps that aims to reorient viticulture practices, with an emphasis on the reduction of chemical inputs and the adoption of regenerative techniques.

In case you missed the launch or you're short on time, you can listen to this podcast for a quick update on the protocol. Toby Webb, founder and executive director of the SWR, and director of research and standards Dr Peter Stanbury share the context behind the protocol, what we're trying to achieve, and next steps.

In this short podcast Toby Webb, founder of the SWR, and head of research Dr Peter Stanbury provide a quick update on the Bottle Weight Accord. They reflect on the progress made to date since the launch of the Accord six months ago, and look ahead to future milestones and next steps. 

You can read more about the Accord and how to get involved here.

This podcast is the first in a series of brief SWR action area updates we'll be publishing this month.

This is a recording from our Sustainable Wine Packaging online conference that took place on 23rd June, 2021.

An opportunity to discuss the reality of reusable packaging for refillable retailing. How recyclable can bag in box become, and when? Which are the best examples that may dominate the market and the technology behind recycling them? Our panel of experts will highlight examples of better packaging, assess its impacts, and consider which may fail, and which many succeed in helping transform the market for wine packaging.

Speakers:

• Oliver Lea, co-founder & managing director, The BIB Wine Company
• Dr. Carlos Ludlow Palafox, CEO, Enval
• Rob Malin, CEO & co-founder, When in Rome
• Oli Purnell, co-founder, The Copper Crew

Moderator: Sally Evans, owner and winemaker, Château George 7

This is a recording from our Sustainable Wine Packaging online conference that took place on 23rd June, 2021.

Talking to consumers about sustainability has never been easy. In 2021 awareness of sustainability issues has never been greater. But helping customers move beyond buying organic or natural wine means getting them to think about packaging and distribution, which is where the biggest impacts actually are, in terms of CO2. In this session we’ll discuss how those closest to customers can engage them in sustainability beyond bottle labels.

Speakers:

• Muriel Chatel, managing director, Borough Wines
• Melissa Saunders, MW, CEO, Communal Brands
• Damien Barton, director, Château Leoville Barton & Langoa Barton

Moderator: Toby Webb, co-founder, Sustainable Wine

This is a recording from our Sustainable Wine Packaging online conference that took place on 23rd June, 2021.

This chart, tweeted by Jancis Robinson recently, shows the CO2 footprint of wine in its value chain. Transport and distribution has a significant impact. So what can be done about making distribution lower carbon? This session will discuss how this can, and is happening. We will look at the challenges and opportunities to save money and drive innovation.

Speakers:

• Mickael Alborghetti, CEO & founder, Ethic Drinks
• Sam Boex, co-founder, Flexi Hex
• Richard Ellison, managing director, Wanderlust Wines
• Nicolas Rizzi, owner, Modal Wines

Moderator: Pauline Vicard, executive director, Areni Global – FM4FW

This is a recording from our Sustainable Wine Packaging online conference that took place on 23rd June, 2021.

The glass industry has come under pressure on its CO2 footprint in recent years. Bottle weight has become the most significant factor in climate change in wine as a result of the footprint of glass. Meanwhile alternative formats are getting a lot of attention. However, glass is here to stay for much of the wine industry. So how can it, and is it, reducing its footprint? And what can wine bottle sourcing businesses do, to support lower carbon glass? We will discuss here. 

Speaker:

• Dr. Nick Kirk, technical director, British Glass

Moderator: Toby Webb, co-founder, Sustainable Wine

This is a recording from our Sustainable Wine Packaging online conference that took place on 23rd June, 2021.

Research appears to show that packaging can be the largest part of wine’s carbon footprint, with up to 30% of the GHG emissions from wine, being in bottle manufacture and transport. We will look at the latest numbers on impact, how this can be changed. We’ll also ask what retailers want now on packaging performance, and how will that change to 2025 and beyond?

Speakers:

• Anne Jones, partner and category manager drinks, Waitrose & Partners
• Kim Forsberg, sustainability manager, VinGruppen
• Joanna Griffiths, global food community director, BSI
• Carlos de Jesus, marketing & communication director, Amorim Cork

Moderator: Toby Webb, co-founder, Sustainable Wine

Sustainable Wine's Toby Webb speaks to Miguel Torres, fourth generation of the Torres family and president of Bodegas Torres in Penedès. They discuss the impacts of climate change in Catalonia, the adaptation and mitigation efforts at Bodegas Torres, what the future of climate leadership in the industry looks like, and more.

On 15th September 2021, the SWR held a global media briefing to announce the launch, its founding members, future plans and how you can get involved. Listen to the recording here.