Neleman officially becomes IWCA Silver Member: pioneering sustainable wine for years
Sustainable wine is more relevant than ever. But at Neleman, sustainability didn’t start as a trend — it has been part of everything we do from day one. From organic vineyards and biodiversity to lightweight bottles and carbon reduction: we look beyond what’s inside the bottle. That’s why we’re proud to officially become an IWCA Silver Member, an important international recognition for wineries actively working to reduce climate impact.
What is IWCA?
IWCA stands for International Wineries for Climate Action. The organization was founded by renowned wine producers Familia Torres and Jackson Family Wines to help the wine industry accelerate climate action and reduce carbon emissions worldwide.Their goal: a net-zero wine industry by 2050. IWCA looks at the entire production chain, including:
• vineyard management
• energy use
• packaging
• transport
• logistics
• emissions reporting (Scopes 1, 2 and 3)
Exactly the holistic approach Neleman has believed in for years.
Sustainable wine goes beyond organic
Since 2014, Neleman has produced only:- organic wines
- vegan wines
- wines without chemical pesticides
- wines made with respect for biodiversity
But true sustainability goes further than organic farming alone. That’s why we also invest in:
• renewable energy
• smarter logistics
• sustainable packaging
• carbon footprint reduction
• transparency across the supply chain
We joined CarbonCloud years ago
Long before carbon footprint labels became common, Neleman joined CarbonCloud to give consumers insight into the climate impact of wine.Our idea was simple: if consumers can compare wine brands based on CO₂ emissions, they can make more conscious choices.
We even encouraged other wineries to join. Unfortunately, very few participated. Without industry-wide benchmarks, meaningful comparison remained difficult.
With IWCA, we finally see the wine industry moving together toward real climate action.
Ultra-light wine bottles: leading by example
One of the wine industry’s hidden carbon challenges? Heavy glass bottles.Heavier bottles mean:
• more raw materials
• higher production emissions
• more transport weight
• more CO₂ emissions
Recently, the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, a collaboration between major European wine producers and retailers, set a target bottle weight of 450 grams. At Neleman, we were already ahead of that. Part of our collection now uses ultra-light bottles weighing just 300 grams. A major reduction in environmental impact, without compromising quality or taste.
Being ahead of the curve
When we started making organic wine, many thought it was niche. When we introduced vegan wines, some laughed at the idea. And when we switched to lighter bottles, people questioned whether they still looked “premium”.Today, more and more wineries are moving in the same direction. And that’s good news for the future of wine.
Derrick Neleman on becoming IWCA Silver Member
“For us, this is not about a label or certificate. It’s about making the right choices step by step. From how we grow our grapes to how we bottle and ship our wines. Becoming an IWCA Silver Member shows we are on the right path, but even more importantly, it reminds us there is still a lot to improve.”
Derrick Neleman
Why this matters for wine lovers
Climate change directly affects the future of wine. Rising temperatures, drought and extreme weather make sustainable viticulture more important than ever.By choosing sustainable and organic wine, you support:
• lower CO₂ emissions
• healthier soils
• more biodiversity
• fewer pesticides
• a more future-proof wine industry
Building a better wine world together
Together with more than 5,000 co-owners, customers and partners, we continue building a cleaner and more responsible wine industry. From grape to doorstep.And sometimes, that means leading the way.
