The Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) has announced two important new signatories to its Bottle Weight Accord (BWA) as it marks the second anniversary of its creation. Coles Liquor, with its network of over 900 Liqourland stores, and Wirra Wirra are the newest names to commit to lowering the average bottle weight of their wine ranges to 420g per 75cl bottle.
Liquorland, Australia’s “leading” drinks retailer, ranges many exclusive wine brands, including James Busby, Winton Road, Land of Giants, Canard-Duchêne, Whispers, Rock Paper Scissors and many more.
Coles Liquor National Quality & Sustainability Manager Shae Courtney said: “Joining the Bottle Weight Accord reflects Coles Liquor’s broader commitment to packaging sustainability through innovation and collaboration with industry partners. It also recognises the progress we have made on the packaging of our portfolio of fabulous wines – and last financial year we reached a milestone of having 98.7% of Coles Liquor Own Brand primary packaging being recyclable, reusable or compostable.
“By committing to lighter bottle designs, we aim to reduce packaging material and lower emissions from transport. We also want to support industry more broadly by encouraging continued investment in the design, use, and recovery of packaging across the liquor industry.”
Wirra Wirra vineyards is one of Australia’s most venerated wineries, established in 1894 in the McLaren Vale, from where it produces a highly regarded range of generous, elegant and fresh red wines, as well as expressive and pure whites from the Adelaide Hills.
Wirra Wirra Sales & Marketing Director Luke Tyler said: “We’re proud to join the Bottle Weight Accord as part of our ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impact. While eager to learn from others, we also look forward to sharing our own insights. We’ve recently introduced a new lightweight proprietary bottle (410g) without compromising its iconic design that will start appearing in fellow BWA participants’ stores in time for Christmas this year.
“This follows another significant lightweighting project collaboration on a Liquorland exclusive Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale Vineyards Shiraz. Endorsement and encouragement from major retail partners such as Coles is vital to give wineries the confidence to take these important steps.
“These initiatives, along with future efforts through the Bottle Weight Accord, will support our goal of lowering our carbon emissions.”
Sustainable Wine Roundtable Operations Manager Delaney Sheridan said: “As we reach the Accord’s second anniversary, it’s really encouraging to see more members coming on board. Partnerships between retailers and producers, as with Coles Liquor and Wirra Wirra, show what’s possible when the industry moves collectively around a simple, evidence-based target. Two years in, the Accord’s impact is clear – average bottle weights are coming down, and with them, the industry’s carbon footprint.”
Forthcoming activity for SWR in 2025 includes the unveiling of a similar bottle weight accord aimed at producers and retailers of Sparkling Wines.
For more information, visit swroundtable.org/action-areas/the-bottle-weight-accord.
