Sustainable Wine

From the Roundtable: The story behind SWR

In this latest From the Roundtable podcast episode, I'm joined by my SWR colleagues Toby Webb, founder and executive director, and Dr Peter Stanbury, head of research. We discuss the story behind the SWR - the how, why, when and where behind the formation of the roundtable.

Toby and Peter share insights into the SWR's origins, the progress we've made so far, and our plans for what's next.

If you’re interested in joining the SWR or getting involved in any of our action areas, please reach out to delaney@swroundtable.org.

SWR Member Interview: What’s the case for PET wine bottles?

It’s no secret that packaging makes up a significant proportion of wine’s carbon footprint. SWR’s research indicates that roughly half of the carbon impact of wine can be attributed to the glass bottle. Whilst many producers are working on light-weighting bottles (see the SWR Bottle Weight Accord), some are also exploring alternative packaging formats.

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast, I speak with Kelsey Kolbo, business development manager - wine & liquor at Petainer, about the opportunities presented by PET packaging. Kelsey shares insights into the environmental and economic benefits of PET wine bottles, from lower carbon emissions to reduced risk of breakage. We discuss the drivers behind the shift to alternative formats, common misconceptions about PET, and more. 

SWR is developing a Packaging Choice Framework, offering evidence-based insights into the merits and challenges of different packaging formats. If you're interested in learning more or supporting this work, please do get in touch! 

From the Roundtable: What is the Packaging Choice Framework?

How can producers make informed packaging choices that take into account not only environmental impacts, but also financial, practical and consumer considerations? The SWR's Packaging Choice Framework is an upcoming tool that aims to provide evidence-based insights to help guide producers in their packaging decisions.

In this latest From the Roundtable podcast episode, my SWR colleagues Dr Peter Stanbury, head of research, and Delaney Sheridan, operations manager, join me to discuss the what, why, how and when of the upcoming framework.

SWR Member Interview: Low carbon logistics with Ellis Wines

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast, Hanna Halmari speaks with Holly Ellis, people and culture manager, and Molly Newport, wine buyer, from Ellis Wines.

The wine merchant recently became the first in the UK to power its delivery fleet with sustainable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel. Holly and Molly share insights into the carbon impact of wine distribution and the practical steps Ellis Wines is taking to reduce its footprint, from lightweight packaging and route optimisation to bulk shipping and fleet electrification. You can read more about Ellis Wine's broader sustainability and social impact commitments here.

SWR's Delaney Sheridan also joins the conversation to highlight how the SWR's Packaging Choice Framework and Bottle Miles Calculator projects will support members in cutting emissions. If you're interested in getting involved in either action area, please reach out to Delaney at delaney@swroundtable.org.

From the Roundtable: What is the GRF?

SWR's Hanna Halmari recently caught up with colleagues Dr Peter Stanbury, head of research, and Delaney Sheridan, operations manager, for a brief conversation about the Global Reference Framework (GRF). The GRF underpins all of the SWR's action areas, and in this short podcast, Peter and Delaney explain what the GRF actually is, how it was developed, and its importance in the work of the Roundtable.

If you’re interested in joining the SWR or getting involved in any of our action areas, please reach out to delaney@swroundtable.org.

SWR Member Interview: How Concha y Toro is accelerating climate action

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast, Hanna Halmari speaks with Valentina Lira, director of sustainability for Concha y Toro in Chile.

 

As one of the world’s ten largest wine companies, Concha y Toro has a unique opportunity to drive significant environmental change - and it’s not wasting any time doing so. The company has accelerated its net-zero target to 2040, advancing the goal by 10 years. Valentina shares how Concha y Toro is driving climate action, from implementing regenerative agriculture practices, to reducing bottle weight and transportation and distribution emissions. We also explore the importance of the Bottle Weight Accord, how to engage packaging suppliers to reduce bottle weight, and the progress Concha y Toro has made so far in these efforts.

From the Roundtable: What’s in store for the SWR in 2025?

2024 was an extraordinary year of collaboration, growth and impact for the SWR. We’ve entered the new year with momentum, excitement, and big plans ahead of us!

In this SWR update podcast, I speak with Dr Peter Stanbury, head of research, and Delaney Sheridan, operations manager, to find out more about our 2025 plans and what members can expect over the coming months.

If you’re interested in joining the SWR or getting involved in any of our action areas, please reach out to info@swroundtable.org.

Lighter wine, greater impact: Progress from one year of the BWA

The SWR's Bottle Weight Accord (BWA) launched in November 2023. To mark the one-year anniversary of the Accord, the SWR held a webinar to present the latest data and narratives from BWA signatories, to showcase the tangible results achieved so far.

The Accord is a core commitment by signatories to reduce their average bottle weight of 750ml still bottles to below 420g by the end of 2026. At the time of launch, the BWA had 8 signatories, primarily consisting of retailers. Now, a year later, it encompasses 20 participants and more than 1.5 billion wine bottles produced and sold. This represents around 5% of all wine production worldwide.

Listen to the webinar recording to hear first-hand experiences and key learnings from signatories on how they have implemented the Accord. Hear from:

• Dr Peter Stanbury, research director, SWR
• Rick Eplway, executive leader of merchandising, adult beverages, Whole Foods Market
• Dr Laura Catena, managing director, Bodega Catena Zapata
• Joe Olding, assistant buyer, Tesco

   

From the Roundtable: 2024 in review

In this end of year podcast the Sustainable Wine Roundtable team review the progress made in 2024 and look ahead to the SWR's 2030 strategy.

Hear from the SWR's founder, Toby Webb, head of research, Dr Peter Stanbury, and head of operations, Delaney Sheridan, as they reflect on the positive developments and milestones achieved in various action areas, including the Bottle Weight Accord, Standards Benchmarking, Sustainable Viticulture Protocol, and more.

SWR Member Interview: Blending tradition, local knowledge, and sustainable practices in Chile

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast, Hanna Halmari speaks with Viviana Navarrete, the winemaker behind San Pedro TAYU and Viña Leyda. Both brands are part of Chile's VSPT Wine Group, one of the world's top 20 wine producers.

Viviana shares the inspiring story of San Pedro TAYU, a unique Pinot Noir produced in collaboration with the Indigenous Mapuche community in Chile's Malleco Valley, located in the Araucanía region. The partnership began in 2015 with two families and has since grown to include eleven families, with a total of 27.5 hectares of vineyards planted on the community’s own land. The community-centric project combines the Mapuche's traditional knowledge of the land with VSPT's expertise in viticulture, creating a long-term model for shared value creation and collaboration.