The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) welcomes Jackson Family Wines (JFW), a leading international, luxury wine company, as its newest member. Producing some of the world’s highest quality wines, JFW has received awards for both environmentally and socially responsible practices in Europe and North America.

A sustainability role model in the wine industry, JFW has saved over $15 million stemming from energy efficiency initiatives to date. In addition, the company conserves 11 million gallons of water annually and recycles 98% of materials on their bottling line. These savings have allowed the winery to expand its initial sustainability efforts even further, like the 6.5 megawatts of onsite solar in development at eight of its wineries, which will make JFW the wine industry’s largest solar energy generator by the end of this year. Being a privately-held, family company with a strong focus on sustainability, JFW provides a unique outlook on energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging practices for collaboration within the beverage industry.

“Jackson Family Wines is an extremely valuable addition to BIER,” says Tod Christenson, BIER Director. “As a global leader offering environmental and social best practices from operations spanning four continents, they will enrich BIER’s perspective across the dimensions of sustainability relevant to the beverage industry, including energy and water stewardship.”

“JFW is excited to join BIER,” said Julien Gervreau, JFW’s Director of Sustainability. “We have been using the organization’s work as a benchmark for a few years now and look forward to contributing to BIER’s robust agenda for 2016.”

Recently published BIER work includes: a toolkit to help estimate the true cost of water at defined “pinch points” within a beverage facility; sector guidance on establishing a structured, holistic energy management approach for facilities; and BIER’s joint commitment on climate change.