Five Years of SWR: Plans and Objectives Towards 2030
In this special anniversary webinar, SWR reflected on five years of industry collaboration and looked ahead to the priorities shaping wine sustainability towards 2030. Bringing together the SWR Research Director Dr Peter Stanbury with guest speakers Jancis Robinson (JancisRobinson.com), Sara Norell (Systembolaget), and Richard Bampfield MW (RBMW), the discussion explored how sustainability and economic resilience are becoming increasingly interconnected, and what this means for the future of the wine value chain.
Key Takeaways
A few takeaways from the discussion:
- Collaboration is delivering measurable results. The Bottle Weight Accord demonstrated what industry collaboration can achieve, with almost 30 signatories, over 3 billion bottles covered, average bottle weights reduced from 550g to 430g, and estimated 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided.
- Resilience is becoming the defining sustainability challenge. Climate pressures, water availability, regenerative viticulture, and changing vineyard practices are placing resilience at the centre of sustainability discussions. Long-term business success will increasingly depend on how well vineyards adapt to these challenges.
- The next challenge is simplifying sustainability. As producers face increasing reporting requirements and overlapping sustainability standards, greater alignment across the supply chain will be essential. Creating common approaches and reducing unnecessary complexity will help businesses focus on practical action.
- Labour is both a social and business priority. As the SWR’s Sustainable Vineyard Practice Survey continues to gather responses, labour availability, recruitment, and retention are expected to be important areas of discussion. Strong labour practices are not only an ethical responsibility but also essential for workforce stability, business resilience, and the long-term sustainability of the wine sector.
- Broader collaboration will shape the next five years. As sustainability challenges become increasingly intertwined, the discussion highlighted the growing role of all stakeholders across the wine supply chain in driving progress. SWR’s role will continue to be bringing these stakeholders together to develop practical, evidence-based solutions for the industry.
What’s Next?
SWR looks towards 2030 and the focus remains on expanding collaboration across the wine value chain, building practical tools and shared approaches that help businesses address sustainability challenges while strengthening economic resilience. See the latest Progress at a Glance.
Interested in getting involved or contributing your insights? Contact Ilva Fridenberga at ilva@swroundtable.org.
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