Accolade Wines and ecoSpirits have partnered to launch the world's first closed-loop wine distribution system, trialling a program whereby Banrock Station eco-wines will be presented in reusable ecoTote packs, to be refilled at the new Sydney-based wine ecoPlant.
Initially, Banrock Station’s Pinot Grigio, Rosé and Pinot Noir wines will be the first to launch with ecoSpirits’ specific wine variant will be offered in the ecoTote 3.0W format – a packaging technology designed specifically for wines. The ecoTote has a stainless-steel cap liner to comply with wine contact material standards and a tinted internal glass vessel to ensure ultraviolet protection for wines during transport and storage.
The ecoTote 3.0W includes all the features of the popular ecoTote 3.0S, that is used for spirits, including global cloud-based tracking, shock and tamper-resistant features, and a 4.5L volume for efficient handling and transportation.
The wine will be transported and delivered to venues in ecoSpirits’ patent-pending ecoTote format, a fully reusable 4.5-Litre glass container, instead of individual 750ml wine bottles, where it will be dispensed and re-bottled using ecoSpirits’ SmartPour technology. Once emptied, ecoTote will be returned to the ecoPlant, where they are sanitised and refilled, in line with bottling standards of leading organic and biodynamic wine certifications.
Under the closed-loop wine distribution pilot program, Australia’s first wine ecoPlant will be located in central Sydney, making it accessible to sustainably minded bars and restaurants. The ecoTote 3.0W will be launched to Sydney-based on-premise venues in the first half of 2022.
The new ecoPlant 2.0W is a semi-automated, containerised wine and spirits processing facility that generates high purity nitrogen gas for ecoTote filling and wine blanketing, complies with leading European Union and Australia-New Zealand standards for food grade processing, and delivers gold standard hygiene and preservation.
Designed with certified winemakers in mind, the new circular wine solution offers full lifecycle wine preservation from winery to point of service, according to the partners in the program. The new technologies are said to deliver high standards of hygiene, oxidation, temperature, and ultraviolet protection for wines distributed in the closed loop system.
EcoSpirits says the new circular wine technology will preserve the bottle presentation and consumer brand experience in hospitality venues, a distinct difference from existing keg and tapped wine solutions. Wines that become available in ecoSpirits’ global closed loop network will now benefit from the same cost and carbon footprint reduction as premium spirits.
Andrew Clarke, managing director ANZ of Accolade Wines said, “We are thrilled to partner with ecoSpirits and bring this game changing, world-first sustainable offering to the wine industry. We know that consumers are increasingly conscious of the impact their choices are having on the environment. The new Banrock Station ecoTote will provide that environmentally friendly choice alongside a cost advantage. It’s a win-win for everyone.
“This strategic partnership is part of Accolade’s global sustainability journey. We are intent on continually innovating our entire supply chain to provide our customers with leading sustainable offerings. We look forward to seeing the roll out of the Banrock Station ecoTote in venues around Sydney in the coming months, with the desire to extend nationally, and across other leading Accolade brands, in the future.”
Paul Gabie, ecoSpirits CEO added, “The development of ecoSpirits’ circular wine packaging technology has been one of the most exciting projects in our history. Our solution blends extraordinary quality, reliable preservation and transformative cost and carbon footprint reduction – and leverages the ecoSpirits global network of closed loop service.”
“As one of the biggest and most innovative wine companies in the world, Accolade Wines was an obvious partner to work with on this launch. Their commitment to sustainability in packaging – and beyond – is genuine and of global impact. We can’t wait to see the uptake of this world-first in wine around Australia and globally.”
Taking sustainable packaging and supply chain management to new heights, this partnership is one element of Accolade’s broader global sustainability strategy ‘Making Every Drop Count’. The company, headquartered in Australia, has already achieved positive sustainable milestones across the business including carbon neutrality in the European operations, 98 per cent recyclable packaging across Australia and Europe, and 98 per cent landfill avoidance in Australian vineyards.
