Sustainable Wine

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.

Carbon insetting and nature enhancement in wine

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) webinar from 26th July, 2023 our expert speakers discuss the role of carbon insetting and nature enhancement in the wine industry and what part the SWR can play. 

Key discussion points include:

• What do we mean by insetting? 
• How are carbon and nature enhancement linked? 
• What is the landscape approach? How would that work? 
• What is wine's unique advantage in this space? 
• What might an SWR role be?
• Challenges and opportunities 
• Discussion of next steps 

Speakers

• Dom de Ville, director of sustainability and social impact, The Wine Society
• Marta Juega Rivera, sustainability manager and winemaker, Alliance Wine 
• Antonio Roade, ESG director, Adolfo Dominguez 
• Tobias Webb, executive director, Sustainable Wine Roundtable

SWR Member Interview: Why cork is making a comeback

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari talks to Carlos de Jesus, director of marketing & communications at Amorim Cork, the world's largest producer and supplier of cork stoppers. Cork is often referred to as one of the most sustainable materials in the world. Carlos explains why, sharing how the harvesting of cork contributes to environmental, economic and social sustainability. They also discuss the role of certification, recycling, and why cork will remain a competitive closure in the future.

Supply chain data collection, how will unified approaches transform sustainability performance?

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.

Supply chain data collection, how will unified approaches transform sustainability performance?

Big players in wine, such as retailers, want to take a consistent approach to the sustainability data they ask for from importers, distributors, producers and other suppliers. This makes sense and can also have a positive impact on the value chain in terms of reducing costs and saving time. So what are the trends? We’ll include an update on the SWR retailer initiative in this area and look at how bottle weight approaches will spread to other areas.

Speakers:

• Erica Landin-Löfving, Chief Sustainability Officer, Vintage Wine Estates
• Ondrej Tarabus, Climate Programme Director, Preferred by Nature
• Andres Valero, Sustainable Leader, Grupo Avinea, Argentina

Moderator: Dr. Peter Stanbury, Research Director, Sustainable Wine Roundtable

SWR Member Interview: High quality wines and sustainability in Germany

In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Member Interview podcast Hanna Halmari talks with Fabian Kerbeck, sustainability and quality control lead at the VDP in Germany. The VDP is a German wine group representing many of the country's top producers (around 200) with strict member requirements on quality and sustainability. Hanna and Fabian discuss the VDP's sustainability agenda, milestones, and more.

Dourakis Wines: Climate adaptation and indigenous grapes in Crete

Sustainable Wine’s Toby Webb recently visited Dourakis Winery in Chania, Crete where he spoke with oenologist Adonis Dourakis. In this podcast Adonis shares more about their wines and how climate change is impacting indigenous grapes in the region. They discuss the current state of grape growing in Greece, how growers are adapting to the changing climate, and the future of regenerative viticulture in Crete.