Australian Wine Producers Strengthen Commitment To Sustainable Packaging

Two leading names in Australian wine — Coles Liquor and Wirra Wirra — have joined the Sustainable Wine Roundtable’s (SWR) Bottle Weight Accord, reinforcing their commitment to packaging sustainability and carbon reduction.

Marking its second anniversary this month, the Bottle Weight Accord (BWA) is a global initiative now encompassing more than 1.5 billion bottles of still wine worldwide. Participants pledge to reduce the average bottle weight to 420 grams per 750ml, helping to cut emissions and material use across the industry.

Shae Courtney, National Quality and Sustainability Manager at Coles Liquor, said the company’s participation aligns with its broader sustainability goals.

“Joining the Bottle Weight Accord reflects Coles Liquor’s broader commitment to packaging sustainability through innovation and collaboration with industry partners,” Courtney said. “By committing to lighter bottle designs, we aim to reduce packaging material and lower emissions from transport.”

Coles Liquor, which operates over 900 Liquorland stores nationwide, reports that 98.7% of its Own Brand primary packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable. Its exclusive wine labels — including James Busby, Winton Road, and Land of Giants — will benefit from the new lightweight designs.

Heritage winery Wirra Wirra, founded in 1894 in McLaren Vale, has also embraced the initiative, introducing a proprietary 410-gram bottle that maintains its distinctive design.

“We’re proud to join the Bottle Weight Accord as part of our ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impact,” said Luke Tyler, Sales and Marketing Director. “Support from major retail partners like Coles is vital to give wineries confidence to take these important steps.”

The lighter Wirra Wirra bottles will appear in stores by Christmas, following a successful collaboration with Liquorland on the Wirra Wirra McLaren Vale Vineyards Shiraz.

According to Delaney Sheridan, SWR Operations Manager, the growing number of signatories demonstrates the success of collective action.

“Two years in, the Accord’s impact is clear: average bottle weights are coming down, and with them, the industry’s carbon footprint,” she said.

Looking ahead, the SWR plans to expand the initiative in 2025 with a new Bottle Weight Accord for sparkling wines, further advancing the industry’s shift toward low-impact packaging.