Launch of the SWR Sustainable Viticulture Protocol

On July 9th, the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) proudly unveiled the ‘SWR Sustainable Viticulture Protocol’ to an enthusiastic virtual audience of wine professionals. 

Environmental practices in the vineyard, particularly the use of chemicals like herbicides, fungicides, and fertilisers, are critical issues in wine sustainability. While organic and biodynamic methods have gained popularity for their reduced chemical use, they are not the only paths to achieving sustainability. Our new protocol seeks to reorient viticulture practices, emphasising the reduction of chemical inputs and the adoption of regenerative techniques. 

The development of the Protocol stems from a year’s dedicated work focused on addressing the sustainable use of vineyard chemicals supported by SWR members Treasury Wine Estates (USA), Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (USA), VSPT Wine Group (Chile), Cloudy Bay Vineyards (New Zealand), and Hochschule Geisenheim University (Germany). This protocol is not merely about reducing chemical usage but also about reshaping viticulture practices to inherently require fewer chemical inputs. It builds on the success of the Bottle Weight Accord, which has driven significant industry-wide action towards reducing bottle weight. 

Key Objectives of the Sustainable Viticulture Protocol: 

• Minimising Chemical Use: Emphasising a reduction in the amount and toxicity of chemicals used in vineyards. 

• Promoting Regenerative Practices: Introducing regenerative techniques that can restore and enhance vineyard ecosystems. 

• Supporting Diverse Growing Conditions: Providing guidelines that are flexible and adaptable to various geographical and climatic conditions. 

• Ensuring Sustainability Across the Supply Chain: Covering practices from the vineyard to packaging and logistics. 

Read our report on ‘Sustainability in the Vineyard: Chemical Inputs and Regenerative Viticulture’ and find out more by visiting our Sustainable Viticulture Protocol webpage here.  

If any wine business or organisation associated with wine are interested in learning more about the SWR or getting actively involved, please contact us at info@swroundtable.org.