Sydney, Australia, March 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / ecoSPIRITS announced today a significant expansion of its technology portfolio, taking on the substantial waste and carbon emissions footprint of the estimated 30 billion single use glass wine bottles that are produced each year. The extension of ecoSPIRITS’ patent-pending closed loop packaging technology to premium wines marks the launch of the world’s first globally-scalable circular glass packaging solution for the category. Developed to meet the standards of leading organic and bio-dynamic wine certifications, the new ecoSPIRITS circular wine technology will be deployed first in Australia in partnership with leading global wine producer Accolade Wines. Closed loop wine service will then be made available in a number of other ecoSPIRITS markets worldwide over the second half of 2022.

Designed with premium and certified winemakers in mind, the new circular wine solution offers full lifecycle wine preservation from winery to point of service. Upgraded versions of ecoSPIRITS’ ecoPLANT™, ecoTOTE™ and SmartPour™ technologies deliver high standards of hygiene, oxidation, temperature and ultraviolet light protection for wines distributed in the closed loop system. Amongst other innovations, ecoSPIRITS’ 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. The new wine technology will leverage ecoSPIRITS’ global closed loop network, and offer the same dramatic cost and carbon footprint reduction as premium spirits.

The world’s first glass-based, globally-scalable circular solution for wine

Among other technology upgrades, ecoSPIRITS has released a new version of its successful ecoPLANT technology that is tailored to process both premium wines and spirits. 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 wine hygiene and preservation.

ecoSPIRITS’ award-winning ecoTOTE portfolio will now be expanded to include a wine variation, the ecoTOTE 3.0W. This newest ecoTOTE is designed specifically for premium wines, marked by a striking grey enclosure and with a stainless steel cap liner to comply with organic 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 of the features of the popular ecoTOTE 3.0S, including global cloud-based tracking, shock- and tamper-resistant features, and a 4.5L volume for efficient handling and transportation.

Headquartered in Australia, Accolade draws on a proud heritage dating back to 1836 and has become a world-leading provider of luxury, premium, mainstream, and commercial wines. With three of the top 10 wine brands in the United Kingdom and two of the top 10 brands in Australia, Accolade’s rich and diverse portfolio is made up of distinguished wine brands including Hardys, St Hallett, Petaluma, House of Arras and Banrock Station. Accolade is a fully integrated business, managing the entire supply chain from grape to glass. With more than 1,400 employees in over 40 countries around the world, Accolade delivers approximately 276 million litres of wine to 130 countries every year.

Recognised as a leader in sustainability initiatives in the wine industry, Accolade is a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a sustainable packaging initiative which aims to change the culture of business by designing more sustainable packaging, increasing recycling rates and reducing packaging litter. Collaborating with ecoSPIRITS to pioneer waste and carbon emissions reduction in premium wines is a natural extension of Accolade’s broad commitment to environmental responsibility.

For its first collaboration with ecoSPIRITS, Accolade has selected its leading eco–wine brand, Banrock Station. Banrock Station produces premium South Australian wines with a passion for quality and holds a longstanding commitment to protecting the local environment. The Banrock Station vineyards and protected wetlands sit side-by-side along the meandering Murray River and South Australia’s Riverland. The winery’s environmental commitment is broad and sustained, having supported more than 130 conservation projects in 13 countries over the last 20 years. Banrock Station’s wines are sustainably produced, vegan friendly and already use lightweight bottles and recycled materials.

Banrock Station wines are made with the land and the environment in mind, having supported over 130 conservation projects

Initially, Banrock Station’s Pinot Grigio, Rosé and Pinot Noir wines will be offered in ecoTOTE 3.0W format to on-premise customers in Sydney, Australia. As part of the partnership, ecoSPIRITS and Accolade will collaborate on a study of the lifecycle reduction in single waste and carbon footprint associated with closed loop distribution of the Banrock Station wines. The partnership with ecoSPIRITS is one element of Accolade’s global sustainability strategy ‘Making Every Drop Count’, detailing a long-term action plan to create real change across the business, industry and planet.

About Accolade Wines
Headquartered in Australia, Accolade Wines draws on a proud heritage, with Houghton established in 1836 and the first grapes crushed at Hardys winery in 1857, to become a world-leading provider of luxury, premium, mainstream, and commercial wines. With three of the top 10 wine brands in the UK and two of the top 10 in Australia, Accolade’s rich and diverse portfolio is made up of distinguished wine brands including Hardys, St Hallett, Petaluma, Houghton, Grant Burge and Banrock Station and modern wine brands such as House of Arras, Echo Falls, Madam Sass and Jam Shed shaking up the global landscape.

Accolade is a fully integrated business, managing the entire supply chain from grape to glass. With more than 1400 employees in over 40 countries around the world, Accolade delivers approximately 276 million litres of wine to 130 countries every year. Accolade is committed to the sustainable growth of our business and the industry. Through our relentless innovation, global sustainability strategy, and the partners we engage with, we endeavour to have a positive impact on the industry and communities in which we operate.