Sustainable Wine

SWR Member Interview: How to work with nature, not against it

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari speaks with Romain Ott, winemaker at the Provençal winery Château Léoube. Romain shares the estate's approach to sustainability, specifically their focus on organic viticulture and biodiversity. Romain underscores the importance of protecting and restoring nature through maintaining and regenerating what already exists: We need to work with the nature, help it and guide it, rather than trying to "recreate the environment."

They also discuss the impact of climate change in the Provence region, how winemakers are adapting, the role of innovation, and more.

What is vitiforestry and how can it benefit the vineyard?

In this podcast Toby Webb, founder of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, talks with Etelle Higonnet. They discuss vitiforestry and it's potential and use in vineyards for management of climate risk and nature improvements. For more resources on vitiforestry, including a contact database, see here.

 

 

SWR Webinar: Why join the Bottle Weight Accord?

The SWR Bottle Weight Accord now has 15 signatories with many more wine businesses, from retailers to producers, currently in the process of joining.

The SWR Bottle Weight Accord is a voluntary collaboration in which signatories commit to reducing the average 750ml still wine bottle weight to below an average of 420 grammes by the end of 2026.

At SWR we know this is not going to be easy. Our role is also to support members in making this happen. We will do this in two ways:

• Firstly, we’ll drive both connections and collaboration between members so they can share challenges and solutions.
• Secondly, we’re developing guidance and tools to enable the Accord to happen.

In this webinar our speakers share more about the process, the outcomes and most importantly, the climate and savings.

Speakers include:

• Dr Peter Stanbury, Research and Standards Director, SWR

• Anne-Laure Ferroir, Director, Terra Vitis

• Jeff Turnas, Senior Vice President of Culinary, Whole Foods Market

Moderated by Tobias Webb, Founder and Executive Director, SWR

In brief: What is the SWR Bottle Weight Accord and why should you join?

In this short podcast Sustainable Wine Roundtable founder Toby Webb and head of research Dr Peter Stanbury discuss the Bottle Weight Accord. They explain what it is, why wine retailers and producers are signing up, and why you should too.

SWR Member Interview: What does the future hold for Margaret River wine?

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari speaks with Amanda Whiteland, CEO of Margaret River Wine Association (MRWA) in Western Australia. 

Amanda explains what makes the region so unique for winemaking and shares more about MRWA and its sustainability initiatives. They discuss how climate change is affecting the region, how winemakers are adapting, and what the future looks like for Margaret River wine. 

You can find MRWA's inaugural sustainability report here and a few sustainability case studies below:

• Revegetation Program – Voyager Estate
• Wastewater – Cape Mentelle & Stormflower
• Energy Savings – Xanadu Winery

Is trying to communicate sustainability to consumers a waste of time?

In this podcast Toby Webb, founder and executive director of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, and marketing consultant Joe Fattorini have a candid conversation about communicating sustainability to consumers.

Toby, representing his personal views and not those of the SWR, takes a deliberately provocative stance. He kicks off the conversation by suggesting that communicating sustainability in today's wine industry "is a waste of time." Trying to communicate sustainability is too difficult at the moment, he says, and it instead distracts us from the real business of sustainability in wine. 

Joe, with his background as a tv presenter, marketing consultant, and wine merchant, brings in a different perspective, having typically worked closely with the customer as the starting point. Listen to the discussion to find out what points they agree on, and where they disagree.

 

SWR Member Interview: Advancing sustainability through direct-to-consumer wine retail

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari speaks with Luke Landers, senior sustainability manager at online wine retailer Naked Wines UK. Luke explains how Naked Wines effectively cuts out the middleman and facilitates a direct connection between customers and winemakers. They discuss the key sustainability priorities for the retailer, how their unique model enables them to support winemakers and growers in sustainable production, and how they educate and engage consumers on sustainable wine.

SWR Labour Standards Workshop: Developing a human rights management process

The Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) is delighted to present an in-depth exploration of labour standards and human rights in the wine industry in our three-part workshop series. This workshop series aims to shed light on these pressing issues and initiate a collective effort towards their resolution.

This final workshop from 21st November provides attendees with actionable insights to address labor rights challenges within their own businesses or functions. It aims to equip participants with the tools needed to assess and mitigate such risks. 

Our esteemed panelists include:

• Linda Lipparoni, CEO, WIETA
• Jason Glaser, CEO, La Isla Network
• Silvia Bianco, Italy Programme Manager, Stronger Together

SWR Global Reference Framework Launch

SWR Labour Standards Workshop: Tools and experience from other sectors

The Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) is delighted to present an in-depth exploration of labour standards and human rights in the wine industry in our three-part workshop series. This workshop series aims to shed light on these pressing issues and initiate a collective effort towards their resolution.

In this second part of the workshop from 2nd November, we build upon existing expertise in various industries, showcasing best practices and guidance applicable to the wine sector.

Our esteemed panelists include:

• Yann Wyss, Global Head, Social Impact and Human Rights, Nestlé
• Alexander Sykes, Sustainable Sourcing, Diageo
• Sophia Gynch, Centre for Responsible Business Conduct, OECD