NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — Stratus Vineyards has released its new premium wine in re-used bottles. This pioneering project marks the first time a North American winery has re-used its own glass wine bottle, setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility in the wine industry.
This project began when winemaker Dean Stoyka led Stratus’ partnership with environmental students from Niagara College in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The students confirmed that glass was one of the most carbon-intensive aspects, accounting for 39 per cent of the winery’s carbon footprint. And, according to the Porto Protocol, an industry non-profit dedicated to mitigating climate change, that total is closer to 50 to 70 per cent when factoring in the energy needed to melt glass and transport it to market and consumers. Additionally, silica sand, a key component in glassmaking, ranks second behind water in terms of the world’s most exploited resource per a 2022 UN report.
Stoyka partnered with Kitchener, Ont.-based Circulr. Using Stratus wine bottles collected from both consumers and the winery tasting room, Circulr conducted trials for label removal, sterilization and food safety. These same bottles were returned to Stratus and now hold a new and distinctive wine.
The wine selected for this bottling is a Filed Blend of three rare varieties in Ontario – Petit Verdot, Malbec and Tannat – that were co-fermented in a nod to ancient ways.
“This re-use initiative is the latest step in Stratus Vineyards’ attentiveness to the environment,” says Suzanne Janke, Estate director. “Attaining LEED certification for our full facility – the first winery in the world to do so – underlined our singular commitment.”
“This is the start of something truly impactful for the Canadian wine industry,” says Tyler DeSousa, co-founder of Circulr. “We’re excited to keep growing this initiative and are fortunate to have found a leader like Stratus that’s willing to evoke change.”
