Rooted in Change: The future of wine with Jane Masters MW and Andrew Neather
In this episode, I’m joined by Jane Masters MW and Andrew Neather to discuss their new book, Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine. Published earlier this month, the book explores how sustainability and wine intersect across the entire value chain.
From grape to glass, they delve into the environmental, social, and economic challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the wine industry today. Through compelling data, storytelling, and interviews with growers and producers around the world, Rooted in Change offers deep insight into how the wine world is evolving and adapting to a changing climate.
Jane and Andy share the motivations behind the book, the key lessons they learned along the way, practical advice for listeners, and the importance of maintaining hope and optimism.
You can purchase your copy at Académie du Vin Library or Amazon.
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From the Roundtable: How can we better link farm decisions with measurable impact?
I caught up with SWR colleagues Delaney Sheridan and Dr Peter Stanbury to talk about the Sustainable Viticulture Protocol (SVP), a framework designed to help growers demonstrate sustainable practices in the vineyard. The SVP supports the transition from intensive chemical use toward regenerative practices, while accounting for the different conditions across regions.
Recently, SWR partnered with Waitrose to host a visit to Leckford Farms for SWR members. From data to financing, Delaney and Peter share the key insights from the day’s discussions and explain how SWR is turning these ideas into practical next steps through the SVP.
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SWR Member Interview: Terra Vitis on sustainability, benchmarking, and collaboration
In this Sustainable Wine Roundtable Member Interview podcast, I’m joined by Nicolas Daspres, technical director at Terra Vitis, and my colleague Dr Peter Stanbury, SWR’s head of research. Terra Vitis, a French sustainability certification for winegrowers, was recently covered in the SWR’s second round of Standards Benchmarking. This benchmarking process, structured around the Global Reference Framework (GRF) – the first global statement of what sustainability in wine entails – provides a clear way to compare standards and drive alignment on meaningful progress.
We explore the process and requirements behind the Terra Vitis certification, including the organisation’s work on labour standards and sustainable packaging. Nicolas shares the benefits of the benchmarking process, the key insights for Terra Vitis, and the actions they are implementing moving forward. We also reflect on some of the broader themes from this second round of benchmarking and discuss what these findings mean for the SWR.
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From the Roundtable: A collaborative approach to chemical reduction
One of the SWR's key action areas is the Sustainable Viticulture Protocol (SVP), a principles-based framework to help with decision-making around chemical use, acknowledging that growing conditions vary considerably across regions. The SVP will be the centre of an on-going change management process away from intensive chemical use in the wine industry, towards a more sustainable, carbon-positive viticultural approach.
As part of this work, the SWR undertook a small research programme earlier this year to better understand producers' priorities around chemical inputs and vineyard management. The aim was to explore whether an approach of collaboration and sharing of insights would be applicable to the sustainability of viticulture.
My colleague Dr Peter Stanbury, SWR's head of research, joins me on the latest From the Roundtable podcast episode to share the findings and what they mean for the SVP.
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Sustainability in the high desert: Insights into Colorado's wine industry
SWR's Tobias Webb recently visited Colorado and discovered how a thriving wine region is developing, the sustainability issues they face, and what's next for high desert wine.
In the last of three podcasts, he speaks with Cassidee Shull, executive director, Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE). Cassidee shares how the region has developed over the last few decades, the important role of wine tourism, and what sustainable growth looks like for the state.
The Sustainable Wine Podcast is the official podcast of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR)—the global coalition driving sustainability in the wine industry. SWR brings together businesses across the wine value chain to tackle shared challenges, foster innovation, and create measurable impact.
Each episode features candid, expert-led conversations with winemakers, growers, retailers, researchers, and sustainability leaders exploring the latest challenges, innovations, and breakthroughs shaping the future of wine. From responsible viticulture and regenerative practices to climate-smart packaging and ethical labour standards, we cut through greenwashing to share tangible insights that catalyse change.
Whether you’re a wine professional, sustainability advocate, or simply curious about the forces shaping the industry, join us for thought-provoking discussions, actionable takeaways, and a deeper understanding of what it takes to make wine truly sustainable.
New episodes every other week. Subscribe today and join the conversation.
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