Jim Barry Wines’ new proprietary light-weight bottle. Image courtesy Jim Barry Wines

In a first for South Australia’s Clare Valley, Jim Barry Wines has launched a new proprietary light-weight Riesling bottle, weighing 48 grams less than a standard glass Riesling bottle.

The company said it felt the new packaging was an ‘important first step to take’, in order to reduce the overall environmental impact of the business and significantly lower its carbon footprint. The new bottle has been introduced first to Jim Barry Wines’ Watervale Riesling, which just celebrated 50 vintages in 2023.

Although the new bottle is only 48 grams lighter than a standard Riesling bottle, Jim Barry Wines said this equates to a total reduction in glass of 48 tonnes per year.

Sales and marketing director Sam Barry explained that the decision to launch a new light-weight wine bottle was driven by the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

“As the market leader for premium Australian Riesling, we are excited to be the first to produce a proprietary light-weight Riesling bottle,” he said. “This bottle plays a critical role in the future sustainability of the sector.”

“The Clare Valley and Jim Barry Wines has a history of innovation. The region was the first in Australia to collectively embrace the screwcap in 2000. This bottle is the next evolution of that innovative thinking.

“Our family have always worked to minimise our environmental impact. This bottle in just one way we are reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring our business is sustainable for future generations,” he said.

In 2023, Jim Barry Wines undertook their first carbon audit and is now a certified by Toitū, a New Zealand environmental accreditor, as a ‘carbonreduce’ certified organisation. The business is also a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and will undertake the certification audit in October 2024.

The new light-weight bottles will begin appearing on the market in the coming weeks, and will eventually replace all Jim Barry Wines Rieslings for the 2024 vintage.

The new Riesling bottle combines cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly practices. Jim Barry Wines is also the first wine business to create a light-weight proprietary Riesling bottle.

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