Powering the Future: 4 Pillars of Sustainability in the Winemaking at McKahn Wines
At McKahn Wines, our unwavering dedication to sustainability is reflected in every step of our winemaking process. We believe that preserving the environment is not only our responsibility but also essential to ensuring the longevity of the winemaking tradition for future generations. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is built on four key initiatives, each designed to minimize our carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices.
1. Why We Stopped Using Bottle Capsules
In 2021, we eliminated the use of decorative foil capsules from all of our wine bottles. These capsules, typically made of tin, aluminum, or plastic, serve no purpose in preserving the wine and often end up as non-recyclable waste. By discontinuing them, we’ve reduced our packaging waste by an average of 15 grams per bottle and lowered our carbon footprint associated with tin mining, refining, and transportation.
The result is a cleaner, lighter package that reflects our commitment to sustainability.
Learn more about capsule waste from the Sustainable Wine Roundtable.
2. What Makes McKahn Wines’ Labels Eco-Friendly?
Our wine labels are made from 100 percent recyclable paper and printed without metallic foils or embossing. This design choice keeps every bottle fully recyclable and eliminates non-renewable materials such as metal foils and plastic laminates. Using paper from certified sustainable sources reduces our packaging’s carbon footprint by up to 20 percent compared to conventional labels.
3. Why Does McKahn Wines Use Natural Cork Closures Instead of Screw Caps?
We use 100 percent natural cork closures because cork is a renewable, biodegradable material that supports healthy forests. Harvesting cork does not cut down the tree; the bark naturally regenerates every nine years, allowing the tree to continue absorbing carbon dioxide. Each cork oak tree can live up to 200 years and store an estimated 14 million tons of CO₂ annually across cork forests worldwide. In contrast, screw-cap production requires mining and refining metals. Natural cork offers the same preservation quality while protecting biodiversity and reducing emissions.
Learn more about cork sustainability from Amorim Cork.
4. How Do Lightweight Glass Bottles Help the Environment?
Traditional 750 mL wine bottles often weigh between 500 and 600 grams when empty. At McKahn Wines, we use lightweight bottles that average 420 grams. This reduction may seem small, but it lowers transport emissions by up to 15 percent and saves more than 20 percent in raw materials and energy used in production. Glass is still ideal for wine aging, and because it is infinitely recyclable, our bottles can be reused again and again without loss of quality.
At McKahn Wines, sustainability is more than a buzzword—it is a fundamental aspect of our identity and operations. We are proud of the steps we have taken to reduce our environmental impact and are committed to continuously improving our practices. By focusing on these four pillars of sustainability, we are not only protecting the environment but also ensuring that the art of winemaking can be enjoyed for generations to come. We invite you to join us on this journey towards a more sustainable future, one glass at a time.