Laithwaites launch first wine in a paper bottle

By Stephen Emerson

8 July 2022

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Laithwaites launch wine in a paper bottle

Online wine merchant Laithwaites has launched its first wine in a paper bottle, aiming to offer more sustainable packaging options to customers.

Redbrook Estate Bacchus 2021, made by winemaker Neil Walker, is the first in the Theale-based firm's range to be sold in a paper bottle.

The packaging is made with 94% recycled paper, with a recyclable plastic pouch inside, and weighs just 83g.

The Redbrook Estate wine is made with 100% Bacchus. It is said to have “jasmine and chamomile aromas, and lime and grapefruit flavours”, according to Laithwaites.

Laithwaites Buyer Becca Reeves said of the new launch: “We were delighted when Neil came to us with his Redbrook Bacchus wine. He’s a self-confessed wine science nut – completely committed to finding the most environmentally friendly winemaking methods. Definitely our kind of guy. Always doing things differently, he’s even aged wine at the bottom of the sea.”

Reeves added: “Neil’s determined to remove glass from his wines and we’re excited to be on that journey with him. Especially when the wine tastes this good.”

Reeves expects Laithwaites to expand the paper bottle range in the future. “I’m sure there will be more,” she said.

Redbrook Estate Bacchus, English Regional Wine 2021 is currently available from Laithwaites, with a retail price of £18.99.

In January this year, Laithwaites launched the UK’s first 100% recycled glass wine bottle after pledging to halve its carbon footprint by 2030.

Transport and glass packaging account for 68% of the company's carbon footprint set against grape growing and winemaking which are responsible for 15% and 17%.

Laithwaites has committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, with the shorter-term goal of halving its carbon footprint by 2030.

The bottling, called W/O Frappato, has been made in partnership with Dino Tashcetti at his co-operative winery with the W/O standing with 'Without' to underline the point that no new additional raw materials have been used in its production.

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.