Sustainable Wine

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

SWR Labour Standards Workshop: What are labour and human rights?

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 inaugural session from 18th October 2023 explores the issues which are covered by the concept of human and labour rights. We cover topics such as forced and migrant labour, living wage standards, and modern slavery, providing concrete examples.

Our esteemed panelists include:

• Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
• Jantine Werdmuller von Elgg, CEO, Stronger Together
• Neill Wilkins, Head of Migrant Workers Programme, Head of Migrant Workers Programme, Institute for Human Rights and Business

SWR Member Interview: Sustainable and ethical procurement at scale

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari is joined by Harriet Kininmonth, wine trading director, and George Kyle, head of ESG, from C&C Group.

C&C Group is a multinational drinks manufacturing, marketing and distribution company. As George says, it's "probably the largest alcohol brand and distribution business that people don't know about." George shares the group's approach to sustainable and ethical procurement, and Harriet provides insights into how the sustainability strategy translates into practice for the wine division.

SWR launches the Bottle Weight Accord

On Tuesday, 10th October 2023, the Sustainable Wine Roundtable officially launched the SWR Bottle Weight Accord.

 

The launch followed a 6-month in-depth study into wine bottle weight reduction, which was co-funded by SWR retailer members Alko (Finland), Lidl GB (UK), Systembolaget (Sweden), The Wine Society (UK) and Whole Foods Market (USA). The SWR ‘Bottle Weight Accord’ is focused on the light weighting of 750ml still wine bottles with the initial target to reduce the current average bottle weight among its retailer members from 550g to 420g before the end of 2026.

 

The launch event speakers included:

• Dr Peter Stanbury, Research Director, SWR
• Jancis Robinson MW
• Marcus Ihre, Sustainability Manager, Systembolaget
• Dom de Ville, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact, The Wine Society 
• Douglas Bell, Global Purchasing Manager, Whole Foods Market 
• Ella Worley, Wine Portfolio Lead, Naked Wines USA 
• Nick Kirk, Technical Director, British Glass

 

About the SWR Bottle Weight Accord

This accord is supported by the following retailers: Laithwaites, Lidl GB, Naked Wines UK, Naked Wines USA, Systembolaget AB, The Wine Society, Virgin Wines, Waitrose & Partners, Whole Foods Market.

 

The glass bottle is the single most significant component of wine’s entire carbon footprint. Research by the SWR shows that as much as half of the carbon impact of wine comes from the bottle itself, a combination of embedded carbon from manufacturing along with the energy required to transport it.

 

Based on the findings of that research, the SWR has launched the Bottle Weight Accord supported those retail members listed above in order to reduce the average weight of the 750ml still wine bottles they sell from the current average of approximately 550 grams to an average bottle weight below 420 grams by the end of 2026.

 

This will be achieved through a number of steps:

1. Removing as many of the heaviest bottles as soon as possible;
2. Light-weighting the bottles of “own brand” wines by the end of 2025;
3. Collaborating through SWR to work with branded wines makers.
   
   

Each SWR retailer member has undertaken to introduce phased reductions within their own procurement processes. The modalities for each member will be communicated to SWR, which will monitor progress over time. In each case this will include providing SWR every six months with the member’s average wine bottle weight so that SWR can demonstrate publicly bottle weight reductions over time.

As part of this accord, SWR will also work with its members in other parts of the supply chain to facilitate this process of change. This will include working with producers to access lighter weight bottles and providing guidance to bottlers on changes in the management of filling lines. We recognise that there may be challenges in certain areas, for example with the packaging rules of some appellations. However, the SWR believes that taking a collective approach to these issues is the most effective way of delivering change.

The SWR sees taking average wine bottle weight below 420g as only the first step, and will be exploring what further reductions will be possible over time. We will also be undertaking further work to address the carbon impact of wine packaging, including light-weighting of sparkling wine bottles, examination of the expanded use of alternative packaging formats, and of bulk shipping.

For further information, please contact Dr. Peter Stanbury (SWR Research Director) peter@swroundtable.org or Tom Owtram (SWR General Manager) - tom@swroundtable.org

Fictional case study: What a carbon positive wine would look like from vine to post-consumption

This is a recording of a panel session from the SWR Global Conference Series 2023 “How to turn climate mitigation and adaptation into business opportunity”  conference from 1st February 2023.

Fictional case study: What a carbon positive wine would look like from vine to post-consumption

In this short session, we consider how grapes from harvest will be consumed sustainably by 2030, including the all important packaging and distribution aspect. We look at how a regenerative, circular wine supply will look end to end, and have the
most positive impact on society and the environment.

Speakers:

• Dom de Ville, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact, The Wine Society
• Tamlyn Currin, Sustainability Editor, JancisRobinson.com
• David A. Harvey, Raeburn Fine Wines

Moderator: James Streeter, Chair to SWR Leadership Committee, Sustainable Wine Roundtable

SWR Member Interview: How a leading wine company is implementing end-to-end sustainability

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari talks to Michael Parks, director of sustainability at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE). TWE is an Australian winemaking and distribution business with global operations. Michael shares how sustainability is embedded throughout the business and the progress they have made on climate action. They also discuss how TWE is helping its growers transition to sustainable practices, the role of certification, and how to promote responsible alcohol consumption.