Sustainability in Drinks Event
At the start of October, Boutinot were proud to attend the inaugural Sustainability in Drinks conference and Exhibition. This thought provoking and inspiring two-day event was the first of its kind in the UK drinks industry, bringing together a diverse range of industry professionals including producers, suppliers, buyers, journalists and advisors.
Boutinot Head of Marketing, Deborah Brooks, Head of National Accounts, Pete Kelly and Marketing Sustainability co-ordinator Sarah Rawlings, attended the day one conference at the WSET school in London, with keynote speakers: Jancis Robinson MW, OBE and Judith Batchelar OBE, Director of Food Matters International. Jancis Robinson’s opening that “we are all on the same sinking ship” epitomised the theme for all that followed at the conference and the following days exhibition. The central message to businesses was that the solution lies in collaboration. Robinson has long championed the move to lighter weight bottles, which she reiterated in her address. She also noted that while consumers have a grasp of the term organic and what that means, phrases like biodynamic and regenerative are still not broadly understood, suggesting that wording like “living soils” are more consumer-friendly than “regenerative”.
A stimulating panel discussion on the theme ‘Creating Value Through Sustainability’ followed, chaired by chair Richard Siddle. This lively debate included Stephen Cronk, CEO Maison Mirabeau & Chairman of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, Doug Wanstall, Head of Projects at Beyond Zero, João Luis Barroso, Sustainability Project Coordinator, Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme, and Robin Thompson, Head of Technical, Encirc Beverages. The concluding lively Q&A raised deep questions for the industry as a whole around how we work together towards a sustainable future, and who leads. The topic of consumer comprehension was repeatedly revisited. Cronk described the abundance of sustainability certifications as the “Wild West”, while Doug Wanstall, argued that responsibility for clear messaging lies with businesses themselves. “The consumer’s failure to understand is our failure to communicate, and we need to get better at it,”
Day two was familiar ground for Boutinot, sharing some of our wines at a busy tasting with the help of our London On-Trade sales team, Siobhan Irons and William Akounga.
The focus of our selection was to shine a light on some of our sustainable agency producers and our Homes, showcasing, not only some fantastic wines, but giving us the opportunity to talk about some of the diverse ways these producers and winemakers work sustainably across the globe. From formal certifications and carbon reduction plans, to using sheep in the vineyard and electric forklifts in the winery. Our tables covered an internationally diverse range of producers, working to reduce their impact on the environment, hand in hand with making great wine.
Thanks to the team at SID for this informative, collaborative and inspiring two days.