Sustainable Wine

There are more than 40 sustainability standards in the wine industry. So how do you know what a certification actually means? Through SWR's Standards Benchmarking work, we're conducting an annual global review of these schemes. In this From the Roundtable episode I'm joined by SWR's Dr Peter Stanbury to discuss our progress to date on benchmarking and how we're turning it into a practical tool for members.

 

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable Member Interview podcast, I’m joined by Vincent O'Brien, managing director at Octavian, a UK-based fine wine storage company.  As the long-term custodian of many fine wines shortly after their release, the team at Octavian has a unique perspective on the journey a case of wine takes before it enters the cellar.

We begin by discussing what sustainability looks like at Octavian before turning to packaging. Packaging is a major focus area for SWR, and it's usually discussed on the podcast from the producer and retailer point of view. In this episode, Vincent shares the fine wine storage perspective, explaining why packaging is important from both a functionality and sustainability standpoint, and how current packaging trends are creating new challenges for the long-term storage of fine wine.

In this From the Roundtable episode Hanna Halmari is joined by SWR's Dr Peter Stanbury to discuss the launch of the Sparkling Bottle Weight Accord. They delve into the success of and learnings from the still Bottle Weight Accord, the complexities behind building the Sparkling Accord, and the benefits of getting involved.

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable Member Interview podcast, I’m joined by Maja Sonesson, founder and CEO of Journy, a digital product passport (DPP) platform designed for the wine industry. 

We discuss how DPPs can support the wine sector, from improving communication and transparency to enabling compliance and more efficient reporting. Maja shares insights into the opportunities for producers, importers, retailers, and consumers, and explains how Journy is addressing challenges around interoperability, administrative burdens, data gaps, and more.

 

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable Member Interview podcast, I’m joined by Rollo Gabb, CEO and owner of Journey’s End Vineyards in South Africa’s Stellenbosch.

We discuss the wide-ranging sustainability initiatives underway across the business, including energy efficiency, water conservation, lighter-weight bottles, soil regeneration and biodiversity protection.

Rollo also shares Journey’s End’s commitment to supporting its local community through the Journey’s End Foundation. Established in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide meals for people who had lost their incomes, the food program has since continued to grow, recently surpassing seven million meals served. Rollo reflects on the impact the program has had within the community and provides insights into the local partnerships and infrastructure behind its success.

In this From the Roundtable episode, I’m joined by SWR's Toby Webb, Dr Peter Stanbury, and Delaney Sheridan to reflect on SWR's fifth year anniversary. We reflect on our progress to date, looking back at where we started and what we set out to do, and how that has evolved over time. With a focus on our key action areas, we review our achievements so far and discuss what's coming next.

In this From the Roundtable episode, I’m joined by SWR's Dr Peter Stanbury and Delaney Sheridan. This month's conversation is largely centered around the importance of regional specificity in sustainability. From a brief update on our latest work in Standards Benchmarking, to the launch of SWR's Sustainable Vineyard Practice Survey, we discuss why granular, region-specific insights and feedback loops are critical to making sustainability happen.

A trial version of this survey has just gone live. It is anonymous and is open to all interested participants. You can find it here: Sustainable Vineyard Practice Survey

It'll take just 15 minutes to complete, and all responses will feed directly into the upcoming Sustainable Vineyard Barometer, giving the whole industry a clearer, more honest picture of modern vineyard sustainability.

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable Member Interview podcast, I’m joined by Antonio Bertone, CEO and co-founder of Alileo Wines. Alileo strikes an interesting balance between old and new, offering natural wines produced using traditional methods, but packaged in a less conventional way. Their Sicilian varietals such as Grillo and Zibibbo are available in both bag-in-box format as well as 20L one-way kegs.

We talk about the packaging decision-making process, the trade-offs that come with alternative formats, and how Alileo is working to change perceptions around boxed wine. With their bold slogan of 'Boxed Wine is Not a Crime', Antonio shares the unique storytelling opportunity packaging can offer and insights into effective consumer engagement.

In this From the Roundtable episode, I’m joined by Dr Peter Stanbury who provides an update on his recent visit to Bordeaux, where SWR and CIVB co-hosted an event focused on seasonal employment in the wine sector. We discuss Bordeaux's collaborative approach, practical actions other regions and vineyards can replicate, and how this feeds into SWR’s broader work on labour standards.

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable Member Interview podcast, I’m joined by Filipe Carvalho, head of business development at Tree Flower Solutions (TFS), a Portuguese biotech startup that develops natural preservatives for the agri-food industry.

We discuss Chestwine, TFS’s innovative sulfite alternative made from chestnut male flower tannins. Filipe addresses common misconceptions about sulfites, explains why natural alternatives matter, and shares insights into the unique properties and R&D process behind Chestwine.