The Wine Society has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting regenerative farming practices among its suppliers and producer partners through a dedicated climate and nature program.
The program involves granting funds to support viticultural and vineyard projects that enhance sustainability.
In its inaugural year, the initiative will allocate GBP 60,000 (EUR 70,020) for funding, with plans to potentially increase this amount in subsequent years. Dom de Ville, Director of Sustainability at The Wine Society, emphasized the critical role of agriculture, particularly viticulture, in driving climate change and biodiversity loss globally. He highlighted the program's goal to help producers adapt to climate challenges, ensuring their resilience and financial sustainability while contributing positively to climate and nature conservation efforts.
"We want to help our producers thrive amidst climate change and believe that investing in nature is pivotal in achieving this," said de Ville. The Wine Society has opted to directly invest in its producers rather than relying on offsetting schemes, maintaining an integrated approach within its family of stakeholders, according to CEO Steve Finlan.
Speaking at a recent press tasting, Director of Wine Pierre Mansour expressed excitement about this new 'legacy initiative', marking the first formal investment in the supplier base by The Wine Society. Mansour underscored the program's focus on enhancing soil health, which plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration and vineyard resilience.
"We recognize soil's potential to sequester a significant portion of global carbon emissions, making it a cornerstone in the wine industry's efforts to combat climate change," Mansour explained. The program welcomes diverse projects ranging from tree planting and hedgerow creation to adopting regenerative farming practices that support biodiversity and restore soil health, both on and below the ground.
The Wine Society invites individual vineyards or groups to submit proposals for grants, providing initial funding to kickstart projects and monitoring their progress closely. Steve Finlan expressed interest in observing the impact of these initiatives on wine quality, aiming to share the journey with members through engaging narratives.
Since its launch and initial supplier webinars, Mansour noted a substantial interest from participants. He highlighted the program's positive significance amidst the post-Brexit landscape, focusing on fostering collaboration beyond administrative challenges.
"This initiative brings positive news to our producers who have persevered through the Covid period," added Finlan. The Wine Society is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2040, guided by its Sustainability Plan and Carbon Reduction Roadmap aimed at halving Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions by 2032.
Source: The Drinks Business