Our approach is guided by a simple principle:

“In a challenging environment that is the wine industry, we see avenues towards sustainability in all aspects of our business. We strive to be an industry leader in sustainability practices and are constantly challenging ourselves to do better.”

Working with Responsible Producers

Our sustainability journey begins with the producers we partner with. We buy predominantly from medium-sized, family-owned wineries, many of whom we have worked with for over a decade. These long-standing relationships allow us to regularly observe how our partners operate in both the vineyard and winery.

An increasing number of producers in our portfolio hold environmental certifications such as HVE3 in France or Climate Adaptation Certification in California, while many others pursue organic or biodynamic practices. Currently, 80 of the 112 producers in our portfolio are certified sustainable, organic, or biodynamic. Where certification is not feasible for smaller producers, we prioritise regular visits to ensure that their practices align with our environmental values.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Reducing our carbon footprint is a key focus of our sustainability strategy. One important area is bottle weight: studies suggest that reducing the average bottle weight to 330g could cut the wine industry’s carbon emissions by around 30%. We are actively working with suppliers towards this goal, and more than half of the wine we ship now arrives in lightweight bottles.

We also work with a small number of trusted logistics partners, allowing us greater visibility of our freight emissions. All shipments are consolidated to maximise efficiency, and our primary logistics partner is increasingly adopting lower-emission transport solutions, including biodiesel shipping fuel and electric delivery vehicles.

In 2025, we began our first formal carbon measurement and management project in partnership with Greenly. This will help us establish a clear emissions baseline, identify key sources of impact, and develop a credible reduction plan. Our aim is to prioritise measurable reductions within our own operations and to publish our first carbon report once calculations are complete.

Waste, Packaging and Resource Management

We are committed to responsible waste management and reducing unnecessary materials across our operations. All glass and cardboard waste generated by the business is recycled, and we work closely with our waste partners to minimise landfill waste.

Our packaging is recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable. Cardboard wine cases are reused for local deliveries and customer collections wherever possible, and any packaging that cannot be reused is recycled. We are also exploring improvements such as fully recyclable, plastic-free packaging tape and offer responsibly sourced reusable bags in our shops.

Social Responsibility and Employee Wellbeing

Sustainability also means supporting the people within our organisation and the wider drinks industry. We work closely with The Drinks Trust, which provides education, wellbeing services, and financial support for those working in the drinks and hospitality sectors. We are also a founding member of its Business Advisory Programme.

Within our own business we prioritise employee wellbeing and development, offering paid volunteering days, professional training opportunities, wellbeing initiatives, and regular producer visits that strengthen both product knowledge and team relationships.

We are equally committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the wine trade. Through partnerships with organisations such as the Gerard Basset Foundation and Curious Vines, we support initiatives that encourage greater representation and opportunity across the industry.

Community Engagement and Looking Ahead

As a local wine merchant, we are closely connected to the communities in which we operate. We regularly support local organisations through charity initiatives and community partnerships, helping to create vibrant and resilient neighbourhoods.

We recognise that becoming a more sustainable business is an ongoing process. Over the coming years we will continue to measure our environmental impact, strengthen our supply chain partnerships, and implement improvements across our operations.

Our goal is to build a comprehensive sustainability roadmap through to 2030, with regular reviews and transparent reporting as we work towards reducing our carbon footprint, minimising waste, and embedding sustainability at the heart of our business.