We are thrilled to share that International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) and a number of our member wineries were recognized by the drinks business Green Awards 2021 for leadership and innovation around climate and sustainability in the wine industry:
IWCA received the Best Green Initiative Award.
Familia Torres received the Green Company of the Year Award.
Bárbara Wolff Göpfert, Head of Corporate Affairs and Innovation at VSPT Wine Group, received the Green Personality of the Year award.
Medlock Ames was shortlisted for the Best Organic Initiative Award.
VSPT Wine Group was shortlisted for The Ethical Award and the Green Company of the Year award.
Now in its 12th year, the Green Awards is the only initiative to reward operators in the drinks sector taking an eco-minded and sustainable approach to their business. The prestigious Green Awards are given by the drinks business, a leading media outlet in the international drinks industry. A full report on all the recipients will appear in the January 2022 issue of the drinks business as well as online in December 2021, featuring profiles of all the winning entries.
IWCA is honored to have received the Best Green Initiative Award, particularly in 2021—a year that has seen us grow into a stronger and larger organization and build critical momentum for climate action in the wine sector.
Ultimately, this award belongs to our 22 member and applicant wineries. IWCA is a membership-driven organization, and our vision of a net zero wine sector by 2050 cannot be achieved without collective action. Our members are driving this transition within their own businesses and inspiring change across the sector—not only committing to climate action but making tangible progress to improve their climate footprint and approach to sustainability. We are proud to see a number of these efforts celebrated by the Green Awards 2021.
Learn more about Familia Torres, Medlock Ames, and VSPT Wine Group below. If you are a winery that shares our commitment to climate action and would like to learn more about how to join our movement as an IWCA member winery, please get in touch.
About Familia Torres
IWCA Gold-level Member and Founding Member
Green Company of the Year Award, Green Awards 2021
Familia Torres founded its winery in Vilafranca del Penedès in 1870, but its roots in winegrowing date back to the 16th century. Familia Torres has a historical connection to Penedès, Conca de Barberà, Priorat, and Costers del Segre, but now its presence extends to vineyards and wineries in preeminent Spanish wine regions and in Chile and California. Every generation has passed on its passion for wine culture from parents to children, a passion built on a deep respect for the Earth and tradition, as well as a belief in innovation. Today the focus of the fifth generation is on making wines from exceptional vineyards and historical estates, as well as on recovering ancestral varieties as a way of adapting to climate change. Since 2008, Familia Torres has taken active steps to combat the climate emergency, implementing adaptation and mitigation measures to reduce its carbon emissions through its ambitious environmental program, Torres & Earth.
About Medlock Ames
IWCA Applicant Member
Shortlisted for the Best Organic Initiative Award, Green Awards 2021
Medlock Ames is an organic vineyard and estate winery that straddles both Sonoma County's Alexander Valley and Russian River Valley and who is committed to farming in harmony with nature to produce wines that represent the distinct terroir of the Bell Mountain Vineyard. Medlock Ames maintains the vast majority of its land in its native state to protect the 10 defined ecosystems that thrive there. It is also focused on using regenerative farming techniques that draw carbon from the atmosphere into the soil where it provides myriad benefits.
About VSPT Wine Group
IWCA Silver-level Member
Shortlisted for The Ethical Award, Green Awards 2021
Shortlisted for the Green Company of the Year award, Green Awards 2021
VSPT’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Innovation Bárbara Wolff Göpfert received the Green Personality of the Year award
The VSPT Wine Group is one of the largest exporters of Chilean wine in the world. Committed to sustainable wine production for over 10 years, its primary focus is utilizing 100% renewable energy for electricity, recovering ecosystems through a robust biodiversity plan, and pioneering waste management programs in Chile. VSPT’s sense of urgency and concern for the future of Chile’s viticulture deeply aligns with IWCA’s values and commitment to mitigating climate change around the world.