Stratus Vineyards breaks new ground in the wine industry with the launch of the first wine in reused bottles.
In a pioneering step for sustainability, Stratus Vineyards, based in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, has unveiled a new super-premium wine packaged in bottles that have been used before. This initiative, marking a first for a North American winery, exemplifies a significant shift towards environmental responsibility within the wine industry.
Stratus Vineyards is renowned for its innovative approaches and dedication to sustainability, as evidenced by its status as the first winery globally to achieve LEED™ certification for its entire facility. “Attaining LEED™ certification underlined our singular commitment to the environment,” stated Suzanne Janke, Estate Director of Stratus Vineyards.
The drive towards using reused bottles was spurred by a collaborative project between Stratus Vineyards’ winemaker, Dean Stoyka, and environmental students from Niagara College. Their research identified that glass production was a major contributor to the winery’s carbon footprint, accounting for approximately 39%. According to the Porto Protocol, a non-profit focused on climate change mitigation within the wine industry, this figure could be as high as 70% when considering the energy required for melting glass and transportation.
See also: Marks & Spencer’s Environmental Initiatives.
Canada boasts a successful system for reusing beer bottles, but the same can’t be said for wine bottles. This creates an interesting contrast, especially considering the environmental benefits of reuse. Let’s explore why these two industries have such different approaches.
For decades, Canadian beer producers have thrived with a deposit-refund system. Consumers pay a small extra deposit on top of the beer price. When they return the empty bottle to a collection depot or participating store (like The Beer Store), they get their deposit back. These returned bottles undergo a rigorous cleaning and inspection process before being refilled, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste.
The story for wine bottles is quite different. While many provinces have container deposit programs that include wine bottles, these bottles are not directly reused. Instead, they are collected and crushed up for recycling into new glass products, not refilled for wine. This difference can be attributed to several factors.
Firstly, the world of wine offers a much wider variety of bottle shapes and sizes compared to beer. This makes it more challenging to establish a standardized system for reusing wine bottles. Additionally, removing wine bottle labels for refilling can be a more complex and expensive process compared to beer bottles. Finally, some consumers may hold a perception that refillable wine bottles are less premium or aesthetically pleasing compared to receiving a new, uniquely shaped bottle.
Recognizing the potential for similar practices in the wine industry, Stratus Vineyards collaborated with Circulr, a Kitchener, Ontario-based leader in the reuse glass movement. Circulr successfully conducted trials focusing on label removal, sterilization, and ensuring food safety. The bottles were then refilled with Stratus’ new wine, which was launched on Earth Day, April 22.
“This is the start of something truly impactful for the Canadian wine industry,” said Tyler DeSousa, co-founder of Circulr. “We are excited to grow this initiative and are fortunate to have found a leader like Stratus who is willing to evoke change.”
The Stratus Vineyards wine chosen for this innovative bottling process is named 2021 Stratus PVMT, a unique Field Blend of three rare varieties in Ontario – Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Tannat. These grapes were co-fermented in an approach that harks back to ancient winemaking traditions, where grapes are mixed before fermentation rather than blending the wines post-fermentation. The PVMT label, made from eco-friendly paper and water-soluble glue, is designed for easy removal, facilitating the reuse of the bottles.
Stratus Vineyards, nestled in the heart of Niagara, Ontario, has consistently been a trailblazer in marrying innovative techniques with time-honored traditions to produce exceptional wines. Their 55-acre farm, home to 16 different grape varieties, emphasizes the winery’s commitment to diversity and complexity in its products. It is also certified sustainable by Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario, further solidifying Stratus’ position as a leader in eco-friendly winemaking.
This latest initiative from Stratus Vineyards not only advances their own sustainable practices but also sets a new benchmark for the entire North American wine industry. By reintroducing used bottles into their packaging process, Stratus is taking a significant step forward in reducing the environmental impact of wine production, paving the way for other wineries to follow in their footsteps.
