As the years go by, more and more industries and organisations are embracing ‘sustainability’, a somewhat overused and diaphanous term. At Cult & Boutique, we have always prided ourselves on understanding the true implications of this word, by discovering and championing a range of producers across the globe who take this word seriously.
Here is a quick look at just some of the producers we work with, and some of the steps they have made to honour sustainable practices.
Planeta Vini
Sicily has the highest amount of organic vineyards in Italy, at around 34%; this tradition and culture of organic agricultural practices go a long way back, and Planeta Vini are one of the biggest forces driving it forward. Their farmhouse and estate dates back to 1694, and the Planeta family, now on their 17th generation, have been caring for the planet for over three centuries. Their wine journey began in mid-80s, with their maiden vineyard in Menfi being planted with an arrange of international and native grape varieties, most notably: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Grecanico and Nero d’Avola.
Not only are all their agricultural procedures organic (no pesticides, healthy soil, on-site biodiversity, &c.) but they also invest in a large series of projects which engender even greater impact on the environment and the communities which inhabit it. From landscape and wildlife conservation, to 300m² of solar panels on which they run their operations, even utilising bio-architecture to ensure their wineries blend congruently into the environs. As of 2024, Planeta has rolled out an extensive recycling programme, creating a new run of bottles made entirely with recycled glass from around the island. For their communities, they host a range of community-engaged activities build around interacting directly with sustainable agriculture, and other beneficial projects like music, theatre, contemporary art, and literature. Visit their website to learn more.
Aubert & Mathieu
Over in France’s Languedoc-Roussillon region, Aubert & Mathieu was founded by two school friends to generate change in the wine industry, producing, as they call them, ‘Modern, responsive wines’. A stand-out, and very against the grain decision they have made is the removal of over-caps on all their bottles, leaving just the bare cork, in order to reduce unnecessary waste – a small, simple, and yet very impactful decision, so hats off to them! They are B. Corp certified, Organic Agriculture certified, donate to several biodiversity protection funds, and minimise the carbon output of their supply line by working deeply with local producers and manufacturing. Their range features a great and diverse selection of organic wines from across the area, Chardonnays from Pays d’Oc, Grenache+Syrah blends from Corbières and Minervois, as well as Rosé and Sparkling Crémant from Limoux.
With a deep commitment to genuinely sustainable practices, and of course a whole family of delicious and affordable wines – they certainly check all the boxes.
Château Pesquié
With over 50 years in the Chaudière family’s hands, Château Pesquié are the definitive sustainable winery in the Rhône Valley. The word ‘pesquié’ comes from the Provençal dialect and translates to a small pond. Their site sits beside Mont Ventoux, a UNESCO world heritage site, the perfect seat for their project. With a vast array of solar panels to fuel their operations, Pesquié commit not only to fantastic wines, but a very special form of holistic agriculture called ‘Biodynamics’. Founded in 1924 by philosopher, scientist, mystic, painter, architect, and all round polymath Rudolph Steiner, Biodynamics is a mystical and spiritual philosophy of agriculture which treats each ecosystem as an internal, interconnected system, not just with the immediate environment, but the community and the wider universe and spiritual realm. The basis is organic: no artificial fertiliser, no pesticides, etc.; biodynamics does, however, take some very significant steps beyond this, and stipulates, amongst other things: aligning all planting, pruning, watering, and harvesting with astral and lunar cycles, as well as specific botanical introductions to enhance the productivity and health of the soil, organic compost. ‘Stipulation 505’ requires fragments of oak bark being placed inside the skull of a domesticated animal and buried in the farm (yes, really!). Whilst these methods certainly raise a few eyebrows, it is important to note that many in the agricultural sphere adhere and support these methods, include Domaine Leroy, M. Chapoutier, Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Château Palmer, and, most notably, Domaine Leflaive, who, under the direction of the legendary Anne-Claude Leflaive, were early adopters of Steiner’s ideas in France, and they produce the most sought after white wine in Burgundy, something Anne-Claude firmly attributes to biodynamics – so there must be something to it!
Pesquié are certainly one of the most successful representations of sustainable wine on a larger scale, and their multi-vineyard Terrasses collection are certainly some of the best French wines in their price range.
Our Uncorked range is full of producers like this: be it Melville’s prestigious place in the Californian wine scene, who say on the matter: ‘Every day is Earth Day’, or Leeuwin Estate’s active role in the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia organisation. A favourite of ours, Ceritas, is leading the biodynamic scene across the pond in the USA, and over here in the UK, award winning Hundred Hills has a state-of-the-art winery built to reduce carbon footprint at every stage of production.
We are really grateful to have such developed relationships with these powerful and often under-represented producers, and whilst this little glimpse into their world is great, we know that the best way to experience their story is in person, tasting their wines, and engaging and learning about their story as you sip.
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