Hatch Mansfield claims trio of eco firsts by becoming carbon neutral

Hatch Mansfield has revealed it has managed to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero for 2019, making it the first in the industry to achieve a trio of recognised sustainability accreditations.

Primum Familiae Vini launches €100,000 annual prize

Ehrmanns pours Beefsteak into cans

Ehrmanns Wines has launched its Beefsteak Club Mendoza Malbec in 250ml can format (rrp: £2.99).

New sustainability drive and HQ announced at ‘virtual’ Sicilia EP event

As Italy began its cautious lifting of lockdown, the annual Sicilia En Primeur event took the form of a virtual global webinar late last week, where organiser Assovini presented to many of those that would have attended the planned conference in Cefalù.

Lack of global sustainability standard impeding consumer buy-in

The absence of a coherent, joined-up global standard to measure producers’ progress on sustainability risks undermining communication on the good progress being made by the wine industry.

Waitrose claims UK supermarket first with ‘wine in a tube’

Waitrose has claimed a UK supermarket first with the launch of a fully recyclable ‘wine in a tube’ range.

Saperavi trials among host of ‘experimental’ measures in Banfi sustainability programme

Leading Tuscan producer Castello Banfi is pushing viticultural boundaries as part of its wider commitment to advancing sustainability, with hybrid grapes and interlopers such as Georgia’s Saperavi on the cards.

Game-changing scale up for flat bottle packaging from Accolade-Garçon partnership

Accolade Wines has collaborated with Garçon Wines, inventor of the 750ml flattened wine bottle, to introduce the environmentally friendly bottles across several of its brands, also investing in a new bottling line as part of the partnership.  

Climate crunch

New mathematical forecasting is helping scientists plot vine suitability against an ever-changing climate map. Jo Gilbert looks at the challenges to 2050 and beyond.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in the can

Lanchester Wines is to launch the UK’s first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in a 187ml can.

California export drive

Andrew Catchpole reports on the inaugural California Export conference, which drew together a host of wine experts from around the world to explore the opportunities for the Golden State. 

Villa Maria trials native plants as herbicides alternative

Villa Maria Estate has embarked on a trial using native plants and cover crops as an alternative to herbicides. 

Sea Change on track to double donations to £100,000

Sea Change Wine, the eco-conscious wine range developed by 10 International, has revealed it is on track to double donations to £100,000 by the end of the year.

Drinks trade ranks poorly on new sustainability index

The drinks industry is lagging behind other business sectors in its approach to sustainability, according to a new report published today.

Langham winemaker leaves to establish sustainable winery

The head winemaker at Dorset winery Langham Estate has branched out on his own to embark on a sustainable winemaking venture.  

Organic wine ‘big winner’ in 2019

Organic wine was the “big category winner” in 2019 as supermarkets cashed in on shoppers’ environmental concerns, according to the Soil Association Certification’s annual Organic Market Report 2020 released today.

Climate action group IWCA welcomes four new members

International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) has welcomed our new wineries in its mission to decarbonize the global wine industry.

Friday Read: Sustainability, organics or biodynamics – who’s got it right?

Since France’s ‘organic’ fair Millesime Bio began in 1993, France and the rest of the winemaking world have come to embrace the gamut of holistic winemaking practices, from sustainability to organics and biodynamics. But how useful, actually, are they as separate disciplines? And do they have the staying power to be truly ‘sustainable’ longterm? Mike Turner, who was in Montpellier to judge this year’s medal winners, mulls over the big questions.

Ramón Bilbao exceeds sustainability target

Ramón Bilbao has announced it has exceeded targets on its sustainability drive in both its winery and vineyards.

Wine’s darker materials: glass vs the alternatives

A rising clamour over packaging and sustainability is leading many parts of the industry to go back to the drawing board on glass and look at alternative materials. Does plastic deserve its bad reputation?