The Society's Pioneers Case

Fresh, taut and mineral wine from the cool Limarí region of Chile. Barrel fermentation develops the flavours and contributes a hint of oak without masking its bright aromas and flavours, and decanting is recommended to open them up. Concha y Toro are a leader in more sustainable working practices with embedded strategies to reduce energy and water use, environmental projects including increasing biodiversity, and many local community initiatives, and as such they were an obvious choice to be named one of our Wine Society Pioneers in the field. Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile (Gold) and B Corp. IWCA Gold member, one of only 18 in the world, they 've measured their carbon footprint since 2007 and reduced it by 25% with a goal of net zero by 2040. In a dry country like Chile, and with 99% of their water use going to irrigation, they have installed efficient drip irrigation with systems in place and on the way to ever improve its application. All their wineries treat and release wastewater. Conch y Toro also have, amazingly, responsibility for 4,200 hectares of natural forest around their vineyards, where flora and fauna thrives unhindered. Pollination gardens have been introduced, as have nest houses and drinking pools. It’s a remarkable and rather lovely thought. Concha y toro really put their money where their mouth is.

Pinotage takes the lead in this fresh and spicy Cape Blend of young Stellenbosch syrah with older bush-vine pinotage from Swartland. The grapes were lightly crushed and gently handled in the cellar to produce a dark-cherry-flavoured red with approachable tannins. This still-youthful wine benefits from a decant two hours before serving. Certified by the Wine & Agricultural Ethical Trade Association and Integrated Wine Production organisation, Radford Dale go the extra yard to make themselves more sustainable, and we’re delighted to name them a Wine Society Pioneer for their efforts. They farm their Elgin vineyards organically and they follow a low-interventionist approach in the winery, stating ‘If it's not in the grape, it's not in the wine’. Of their two wineries, one is entirely off grid and uses only rainwater for its needs and has a wetland purification system while the other operates 50% on solar power. They compost vineyard waste, recycle other materials as much as they can. Biodiversity is encouraged, with ducks eating unwanted snails, raptor perches installed and seeding wildflowers and allowing some weeds to flourish. In the community, their Land of Hope scheme has been running 20 years, with 50% of profits put in a trust for the education of children of staff from maternity onwards.

This is a modern and vibrant Swartland chenin effusive with peach, cantaloupe melon and honeysuckle aromas. Refreshing with a lovely mid-palate texture and grapefruit pith and orange peel on the finish. One of our Wine Society Pioneers in working towards sustainability, the aim of Luibanzi is to deliver meaningful social impact, building an equitable supply chain, socially responsible local partnerships and working with local charities. As if that weren’t enough environmental sustainability is another foundation stone on which Lubanzi is built. They are Integrity & Sustainability Certified and proud to be Fair For Life Fair Trade Certified too, keen to ensure that human rights are safeguarded at every stage of production, so that those who work for them get a fair shake and a fair share. 50% of their net profit is passed on to a charity, the Pebbles Project, that works with families of South African wine farm workers to access high-quality healthcare and education. Unsurprisingly but pleasingly are bottled with labels made from sugar cane rather than trees.

From a member favourite estate from the full-bodied 2022 vintage this has a fragrant bouquet of plums, tar and vanilla, with a layered, juicy texture on the palate. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon the wine was aged for 12 months in two and three-year-old barrels from one of Pauillac`s most famous châteaux. This is concentrated, but well balanced, with grainy, ripe tannins on the finish. A remarkable wine for the price, this is already drinking beautifully, but has ample capacity to age. As winners of our 2024 Climate & Nature fund, de la Grave will use our funds to help diversify and move away from a monoculture. One project involves planting fruit, olive and truffle trees, establishing pre-orchards which will combine fruiting trees with meadows for grazing and breeding their sheep and horses.

Kotsifali is one of Crete's most exciting native varieties, producing rich, juicy, darkly fruited reds with supple texture, great freshness and bags of blackberry and cherry fruit. This organic example from leading producer Lyrarakis is well worth a try. Certified organic, and employing biodynamic methods and local traditions, working towards sustainability is an important component of farming at Lyrarakis and we are delighted to name them among our Wine Society Pioneers for their efforts. In such a hot area they conserve water wherever possible and use drip irrigation, and farm their soils regeneratively, moving to higher altitude vineyards to find cooler spots. Sheep are grazed, chicken, turkeys, geese and ducks forage, wild plants are encouraged and fruit and walnut trees planted. In 2025 solar panels were installed on the winery and the winemaker now drives an electric car!

A charming white Rioja from the Glorioso stable, showing off white flowers, citrus, and a medley of fresh fruit, balanced by subtle toasty, brioche notes from three months in French and American oak. Smooth on the palate, with hints of crisp apple with a beautifully structured and creamy weight with lively acidity and freshness, Elegant, expressive, and utterly food-friendly. Glorioso Blanco comes from a producer that believes great wine starts with great relationships. For this wine, they source grapes from 27 local growers, paying above the market rate for the best fruit and using that partnership to encourage practices that build healthier vineyards over time. Growers are supported with detailed soil analysis, helping them understand exactly what their vines need, while cover crops and composting are being introduced to improve soil health and resilience. In the winery, the approach is increasingly one of restraint, reducing additions and allowing the character of the grapes to shine through. The team is also bringing seasonal workers in-house to help ensure fair pay and good working conditions. Add lightweight bottles and newly installed solar panels, and you have a wine that offers a little more than delicious drinking: a thoughtful, long-term approach to making Rioja better for the land and the people behind it.