Tech: Wine goes heavy on sustainability

Lightweighting is often the first stop for businesses in their sustainability journey. In recent years, the industry has moved on to bigger, more holistic goals. However, innovation around changing both minds and bottle weight continues, writes Jo Gilbert.

Global beverage industry lags behind green targets

A new report has said the global beverage industry could achieve its emissions reduction goals by 2028 if a clear plan is put in place. However, it is not currently on course to meet either its 2030 or 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) targets.

Friday read: Can sustainability and luxury co-exist?

The Wine Society trials recycled plastic bottles

Following the publication of its Alternative Packaging for Wine report in May, The Wine Society has embarked on the second phase of its packaging trial. This week, four of The Society’s most popular wines, including its top-selling wine, The Society’s White Burgundy, will be released in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles.

Alliance aims to formalise waste removal from tastings

Alliance Wine has announced a partnership with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) on a project which aims to remove waste from tastings, with best practice to be shared with the wider trade. 

Sustainability Report: Work in progress

The takeaways from both a Harpers sustainability panel and a joint session with Enotria & Coe at LWF all pointed to the ever-increasing need to act – and act fast – to stay ahead of the curve.

Scottish DRS delayed until 2025

The Scottish Government has officially announced a delay to the launch of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) until October 2025, following weeks of speculation as to the future of the initiative and a UK-government enforced exemption of glass.

Villa Maria embraces bulk in drive to cut emissions

The Indevin Group, owners of New Zealand brand Villa Maria, has announced plans to ship a selection of its wines to the UK in bulk. They will then be bottled by the firm Encric, at its plant in Cheshire.

The Wine Society puts six of its best in BiB

The Wine Society has announced the launch of an alternative packaging trial, which will see several of its top SKUs becoming available via bag-in-box (BiB).

Jerry Lockspeiser: Can business be a force for good?

I was thrilled to read of a recent initiative by The Wine Society, not just because I am a member, but because it speaks volumes about how they approach their business.

Waitrose trials removing sleeves from wine bottle necks

Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to test selling wine bottles without the familiar plastic and foil sleeves, in a move which forms part of supermarket’s aim to ‘reduce unnecessary packaging’.

Leading the charge for sustainability in the boardroom

Harpers’ recent Folding Sustainability into the Boardroom DNA webinar delivered great insights into advancing the cause. 

Sustainability takes centre stage at LWF

The London Wine Fair is gearing up for a schedule of events featuring a heightened sustainability focus at this year’s fair, with no fewer than ten sessions taking place across three days – including Harper’s own session highlighting how to align sustainability goals across the supply chain.

Rathfinny joins select B Corp winemaking club

Rathfinny Wine Estate has achieved B Corp status, being only the third UK producer to gain the ethical and sustainable benchmark ranking.

Sustainability Report: The Co-op interview

For decades the Co-op has led the way in ethical trading and renewable energy in the grocery sector. In 2023, how is this reflected in its BWS offering? James Bayley reports.

Airbikie to power distillery with green hydrogen in ‘world first’

Arbikie Highland Estate has completed the latest stage of its plan to be the world’s first green hydrogen-powered distillery with the installation of a new 1MW wind turbine to provide renewable energy.

Argentina: Taking organic to the next level

Mendoza deserves its reputation as a pioneering force in sustainable viticulture – the region now has 7,300ha of vines under organic management, which represents approximately 11% of all organic viticulture in the world. Moreover, several of the region’s leading wineries are planning to adopt biodynamic viticulture in due course – the logical next step in this important journey.

Arbikie to power its distillery with green hydrogen in ‘world first’

Arbikie Highland Estate has completed the latest stage of its plan to be the world’s first green hydrogen-powered distillery with the installation of a new 1MW wind turbine to provide renewable energy.

Prowein 2023: The Harpers rundown

Innovation, sustainability, organic wine and the ‘immediacy’ of embracing alternative formats were common threads which ran throughout this year’s Prowein, as the event descended once more for a predictably rainy yet bustling three days in Düsseldorf.

Last call for Folding Sustainability into the Boardroom webinar

Harpers is diving into sustainability and how to positively impact boardroom culture during tomorrow’s webinar, taking place on Zoom from 10am to 11am.