Domaine Bousquet, a leading force in organic winemaking, has solidified its position as a global sustainability pioneer by being elevated to Silver Member status in the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA). This accolade highlights the winery's unwavering commitment to reducing carbon emissions and implementing sustainable practices across its operations.
The Significance of IWCA Silver Membership
IWCA’s Silver Membership is awarded to wineries that meet rigorous sustainability standards, including third-party-verified greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories covering Scopes 1, 2, and 3. Domaine Bousquet’s new status places it among a select group of wineries dedicated to achieving Net Zero by 2050 through transparent and innovative practices. This milestone not only underscores its environmental stewardship but also its leadership in inspiring the global wine industry toward meaningful climate action.
Domaine Bousquet’s IWCA Silver Membership reflects its dedication to:
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Transparency: Publicly reporting progress on decarbonization efforts.
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Leadership: Setting an example for the global wine sector.
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Innovation: Pursuing groundbreaking methods to achieve sustainability goals.
Pioneering Sustainability
Domaine Bousquet’s sustainability journey is marked by several achievements, but we want to enhance three:
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Carbon emission reductions across the value chain: The winery has made significant strides in decarbonizing operations, from renewable energy adoption to efficient logistics and collaboration with suppliers to address Scope 3 emissions (those that are not under a company's control but originate from its value chain, such as employee transportation and product distribution).
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Regenerative viticulture practices: Domaine Bousquet is a champion of regenerative agriculture, implementing practices that enhance soil health, lock in carbon, and support biodiversity, ensuring long-term vineyard resilience.
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Innovative bottle lightweighting: In keeping with the October 2023 Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) Bottle Weight Accord, Domaine Bousquet has ramped up its use of lightweight bottles. By mid-2024, 95% of its still wine bottles weighed less than 420 grams—up from 74% in 2023. Including sparkling wines, this figure reached 92%, a significant jump from the previous year’s 71%.
The shift from traditional 540-gram bottles to lightweight 400-gram alternatives not only reduces raw material usage but also significantly lowers CO₂ emissions.
“Light is Right”
Anne Bousquet, owner of Domaine Bousquet, succinctly sums up the winery’s philosophy: “Light is right.” By committing to reducing the average weight of its 750ml still wine bottles to 420 grams or less by 2026, the winery is not only lessening its environmental impact but also leading the industry in sustainable packaging solutions.
Looking ahead to Net Zero
As a Silver Member, Domaine Bousquet is well on its way to meeting its 2050 Net Zero target. By combining efforts in regenerative viticulture, renewable energy, and sustainable packaging, the winery continues to be a beacon of eco-friendly innovation in the wine industry.
This achievement is not just a milestone but a testament to Domaine Bousquet’s enduring commitment to preserving the environment for future generations. As a leader in sustainable winemaking, the winery sets the standard for excellence and inspires others to follow suit in creating a greener future for the wine industry.