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Gone With the Wind
We all have a responsibility to live more sustainably. Understanding where our favorite food and drink has traveled from to reach us—and how—is part of that duty. Wanderlust Wine is leading the way in an industry where ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is vital for our future but often overlooked. They take an innovative approach to supporting the industry.
The UK is the world’s second biggest importer of wine, making us a major trading hub for the industry. According to The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), last year we imported over 1.2 billion litres of wine, or the equivalent of over 1.6 million bottles, to satisfy our thirsty habit—a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. While business might be booming, this growing demand pressures suppliers to minimise their environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions from producing and transporting wines. It’s no easy task, but it is something that the innovative team at Wanderlust Wine knows all about.
A proud and passionate group of wine enthusiasts, they launched Wanderlust—whose name means “a strong desire to travel”—to offer organic, biodynamic, and organically farmed wines sourced from unique vineyards worldwide. Within six years, they’ve built up an impressive network of artisan wine producers who share their commitment to offering consumers environmentally-friendly wines from across the globe—and now they have bigger plans.
Making New Waves
“We are always exploring options to reduce our industry’s carbon footprint,” explains Richard Ellison, Founder and Managing Director of Wanderlust Wine, “and Wine by Sail was a natural path to follow.”
The concept is simple: a proportion of the business’ wine portfolio is shipped to the UK by sail ship, but the method delivers benefits right through the supply chain, from the wine supplier to the consumer. By reverting to this traditional method of wind-powered transportation, Wine by Sail not only breathes new life into beautiful old sailing vessels, but minimises the impact on marine life from importation and drastically reduces emissions.
“We are excited to be one of few UK importers offering wines transported from Europe by sail ship,” explains Richard. “Sustainability sits at the heart of the process, but the power of the wind and sailors’ skills all add to the wine’s story—it becomes part of its journey. In addition to its eco-friendly credentials.”
A Sustainable Future
It’s a romantic tale, but the environmental credentials speak for themselves. This method of transportation can save up to 97 percent of carbon emissions compared with cargo ship or road transportation. In addition, the team transports the wine in bulk, using more sustainable packaging, so more wine can be shipped per journey.
“Glassware is one of the heaviest components in wine production, so using alternative packaging, such as 3L bag-in-boxes or 20L kegs, or bottling nearer to the port, hugely supports our mission to become carbon neutral.”
Currently, the team has ambitious plans to open up more shipping routes between the UK and France, complementing an existing route between Portugal and the UK. Not only does this mean wine lovers will be able to enjoy a greater choice of sustainable wines—from quality everyday wines to limited edition bottles—with a clear conscience, but more artisan producers will be supported through Wanderlust’s work in the future.