Vegan Wine and Sustainability: A Toast to the Future
Today, we'd like to reflect on the topic of sustainability in the wine sector. Did you know that Italy is the world's leading wine producer and second-largest exporter? With 300,000 wineries, including 45,000 bottlers, our wine market is worth a staggering €15 billion (in 2022) and provides employment to 1.5 million people. Furthermore, 40% of our production is exported. Wine is probably Italy's most appreciated and esteemed ambassador to the world!
Given its importance, the Italian wine sector has a significant responsibility when it comes to sustainability . This is a topic that's widely discussed but little done, and many producers wonder what a winery should (or shouldn't) actually do to be truly sustainable.
The answer is simple: it should adopt principles and practices of sustainable and regenerative viticulture.
Regenerative Viticulture: The New Standard of Sustainability
Attention to environmental and social sustainability is increasingly central and strategic for companies in the wine sector. Regenerative viticulture, in particular, is becoming the new global sustainability standard in the wine world. But what exactly is it? Essentially, it's based on improving soil and water health, increasing biodiversity, and eliminating the use (or rather, abuse) of synthetic chemicals. The benefits? Better yields, greater resilience to extreme weather events, and a better future for everyone!
Some tips for a winery that wants to become increasingly sustainable:
- Don't use chemicals in the vineyard , because they pollute everything, from the soil to the water, the air, the fruit, and the wine itself.
- Reduce the use of copper and sulfur , even if permitted by the organic regulations, by opting for natural alternatives.
- Eliminate animal-based fining agents in winemaking (casein, albumin, isinglass, bone glue, gelatin, etc.), replacing them with vegetable proteins from potatoes and peas, clays, and algae.
- Reduce or eliminate added sulfites .
- Limit carbon emissions until we reach carbon neutrality by reducing avoidable emissions and not limiting ourselves to purchasing carbon credits alone.
- Self-produce clean energy .
- Recycle and use rain and spring water .
- Opt for organic fertilisers , using vine waste.
- Practice green manure with cereals and legumes.
- Reforest and grass in a controlled manner.
- Bringing insects, bees and animals back into the vineyard, stimulating biodiversity .
- Harvest manually and reduce yields.
- Use recycled glass bottles.
- Apply FSC-certified labels, ideally post-consumer recycled, printed with inks and glues free from animal derivatives.
- Discard capsules where not needed.
- Use screw caps instead of cork for wines not intended for aging.
- Use recycled paper and plastic-free packaging .
- Financially support charities and causes with a portion of your profits.
- Don't limit yourself to improvised self-certifications, but let experts with consolidated experience guide you through the certification process .
- Ensure safe working conditions and decent wages by investing in training and promoting inclusion and diversity.
And this is just the beginning! The road to sustainability is a long one, but companies that combine growth and profit objectives with ethical, responsible, and sustainable practices, respecting people, animals, and the planet, will be able to gain a significant competitive advantage.
And now let's raise a toast to the virtuous and clean companies we're privileged to work with! 🍷
Where to buy the best vegan and sustainable wines?
Find the best selection of Italian and vegan wines on InVinoVegan.com , the first online sales site dedicated to ethical and sustainable wines. The benefits of purchasing from InVinoVegan are:
- Free Shipping: For orders over €99 (Italy only)
- Fast Deliveries: 48-72 hours
- No minimum order
- Sustainable, zero-impact shipping
- Donations: 4% of every purchase donated to animal sanctuaries
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