LOCAL winery BACKSBERG - the first SA winery to achieve carbon neutral status - is again making history. Its new wine brand, Tread Lightly, embodies Backsberg’s philosophy of care and respect for the land.
“The enjoyment of a great bottle of wine should never be at the cost of the environment,” says Backsberg proprietor, Michael Back. “Whether by measurable process or by intuitive approach, every step we take in producing our wines must be challenged. The packaging and transport of wine contributes significantly to our carbon footprint and therefore needs to be addressed.”
Tackling this issue head on, Tread Lightly by Backsberg will be the first certified wine sold in the new, innovative PET soft bottle produced by Mondi.
Tread Lightly Merlot 2008 and Sauvignon Blanc 2010 varietals are bottled in a lightweight, stylish, PET soft bottle.
Following the recent approval by The Wine and Spirit Board to bottle certified natural wine in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Tread Lightly is spearheading what will surely become commonplace in the near future.
Backsberg has partnered with Pick n Pay, the first retailer to sell the new innovative PET soft wine bottle, for the launch of Tread Lightly by Backsberg.
Pick n Pay Director of Sustainable Development, Bronwen Rohland says: “We are delighted to be partnering with Backsberg on this very exciting initiative.
“As South Africa’s largest food retailer, Pick n Pay is committed to minimising its environmental impact through various recycling and packaging initiatives, and this project fits our overarching environmental strategy perfectly.”
The Tread Lightly PET soft bottle adds the benefit of convenience due to its lightweight and shatterproof qualities. It is fully recyclable. Tread Lightly Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc and the eco-friendly lightweight bottle is another way in which Backsberg respects the environment without compromising the quality and enjoyment of their wines.
