I was pleased to moderate this International Wineries For Climate Action (IWCA) briefing during the London Wine Fair. The session involved three of the leading names in the wine world?: Familia Torres, Jackson Family Wines and Symington Family Estates.

For wineries wanting to embark on the journey to align their business with the values of the next generation of wine consumers, do visit the IWCA website by clicking here.

Text to my (Nick Breeze) intro:

Welcome to International Wineries for Climate Action - How to reduce wine’s carbon footprint

We don’t have much time so I’ll be very brief.

In this session we will be hearing 3 presentations, given first from Mister Torres, of Familia Torres Wines, then from Julien Gervreau of Jackson Family Wines and finally, Rob Symington of Symington Family Estates. 

That all three companies have Family in their title, emphasises the ability of the wine industry to look across generations - this is something that climate policy has so far failed to do.

After the three presentations there will be a Q&A if you would like to ask a question then please add it to the chatbox.

Over to you Mister Torres - 

[Presentations]

NB Q's (not in synch with actual recording as audience questions were included)

A question for Julien: Is there a way for smaller wineries to join the IWCA and benefit from the membership?

A question for Mister Torres: Your business actively invests in technology to tackle climate -  Of all the initiatives to reduce emissions that you have seen so far - what is the one that you see that could most be widely and effectively deployed?

For Rob: What is the hardest part of the process as you start to redesign the business for a zero-emissions future? - 

Rob: you put an emphasis on integrity in how you measure emissions - could the auditing side of this be a cost barrier for some wineries?

Rob. You talked about wineries becoming activists - is this in terms of business to business or engaging with consumers? What does wine producer activism look like?

Would the IWCA consider working with regional bodies to grow the membership faster?

Mister Torres: Success for the IWCA means building a critical mass of wineries in the industry adopting these practices - do you have a direct appeal to winemakers who may be watching this session?

Julien: With viticulture representing less than 2% of agriculture - is there a leadership role here for the wine industry across wider agriculture?

[END]