PONZI BOTTLES 2009 VINTAGE IN ECO-FRIENDLY GLASS

Ponzi Vineyards sustainability objectives met with revolutionary new light-weight-glass bottles

BEAVERTON, OR— Ponzi Vineyards is proud to announce its first release from the 2009 vintage, the 2009 Ponzi Pinot Gris, in a new “eco-friendly” glass, produced by Saint-Gobain Containers’ Washington State plant and supplied by Caliber WinePak.

Ponzi Vineyards is one of the first Oregon wineries to bottle with glass from the company’s new ECO SeriesTM line, and the first to use it with the Stelvin closure. The low environmental impact glass containers were developed in response to a lack of high quality, eco-friendly wine bottles. With many wineries, particularly in Oregon, committed to sustainable farming and winemaking practices, access to sustainably produced packaging brings their commitment full circle.

Following in suit with the Ponzi family’s philosophies on sustainable business practices, all of the winery’s 2009 vintage wines, including the nationally distributed Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and two Pinot Noirs, and the small production Rosato, Chardonnay and Riesling, will be bottled in the ECO SeriesTM bottles.

Aside from the obvious ergonomic benefits of the 12 bottle case being lighter and easier to move around, the new design is manufactured in a manner that has significantly less impact on the Earth. Using recycled materials and reducing the overall weight of the bottle substantially lowers the amount of raw materials used by 15%. Additionally, the CO2 equivalent per bottle produced is reduced by 25%, and energy consumption for transportation to the winery is reduced by 25%. This new bottle is nearly one half pound lighter, and also slightly smaller, in diameter and height. These factors allow more cases to be added to shipments, making distribution more efficient.

“With the new glass, we save one truck for every seven making the trek to our warehouse in California, compared to what we were doing a year ago. Every little bit adds up!” says winemaker Luisa Ponzi.

Another happy by-product is the lighter bottles fit more comfortably in the average wine fridge.

Recognized last year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Saint-Gobain became the first glass manufacturer to be acknowledged as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. The company’s immense efforts to decrease the use of energy and raw materials result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

With over 400 wineries producing nearly 2 million cases of wine annually in the state of Oregon alone, it’s clear how a little attention to this piece of the puzzle will go a long way.

Ponzi wines bottled in ECO SeriesTM glass make use of the Stelvin closure, a 100% recyclable aluminum screw cap. Look for 2009 Ponzi Pinot Gris at the Ponzi Estate Winery and the Ponzi Wine Bar this week. Ponzi wines are nationally distributed by Wilson Daniels, Ltd.

For more information on the eco glass, visit Saint-Gobain or Caliber WinePak online. For information on upcoming releases in the new container contact Ponzi Vineyards at 503-628-1227.
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