Join us for the second of three webinars exploring sustainability in the global drinks industry. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and be part of the conversation on shaping a sustainable future for the global drinks industry. Register now and join the movement for change!
Event details
Webinar
About the series
WSET is pleased to present the latest installment of its Industry Talks series, in collaboration with The Vine Strategy Group. From Soil to Glass – Climate Action in the Global Drinks Industry is a three-part online series designed to raise awareness of the climate challenges facing the wine, beer, and spirits sectors. This series will also spotlight leading industry voices who will share innovative solutions and actionable strategies for change.
These sessions are open to anyone passionate about building a more sustainable drinks industry and eager to understand how they can contribute to meaningful action.
All sessions are free of charge.
Session 2: From Soil to Glass: Climate action from the ground up - Sustainable land use & soil health
In this session we will focus in on land use, soil health and regenerative agriculture as key pillars of sustainability. We’ll examine how raw material sourcing can be transformed to reduce carbon footprints and enhance climate resilience.
Key topics:
- The role of soil health in climate resilience across wine, beer, spirits, and sake
- Regenerative agriculture vs. conventional farming: what’s working?
- Innovations in carbon sequestration, water conservation, and biodiversity
- The role of producers, suppliers, and brands in scaling sustainable practices
- Barriers to adoption and solutions for industry-wide transformation
Meet our expert panel:
Series chair: Michelle Bouffard DipWSET, WSET certified educator, certified sommelier, Founder of Tasting Climate Change
Full panel to be announced very soon!
Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of the global drinks industry.
Register for other sessions within this series:
- Session 1: Climate action from the ground up – From Soil to Glass: The climate emergency & the global drinks industry, 27 March 2025 - Register here
- Session 3: Rethinking the supply chain – Innovations for a greener future, Tuesday 1 July 2025, 5pm GMT
In collaboration with
The Vine Strategy Group (TVSG) is a specialist consultancy dedicated to advancing sustainability in the global wine industry. In collaboration with partners worldwide, we design, develop, and implement high-impact projects that drive meaningful progress and create lasting change.
Speakers
Chair - Michelle Bouffard DipWSET, sommelier, author and wine critic
Originally from Quebec, Michelle moved to Vancouver to complete her Bachelor of Music degree in classical trumpet where she unexpectedly ventured into wine while working in a fine dining restaurant. Determined to make her mark in the wine industry, she graduated as a sommelier with the highest honours from the International Sommelier Guild in 2003 and completed the Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in 2005. Michelle was the co-owner of House Wine from 2003 to 2015, a highly regarded company based in Vancouver that specialized in cellar management and educational events. She also founded and was also the president of British Columbia chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers. Michelle now lives and teaches WSET courses in Montreal and gives numerous training sessions including for wine associations such as Inter Rhône and Wine Australia.
In 2017, Michelle founded Tasting Climate Change, an international symposium to explore the challenges and solutions in the wine industry. In 2018, Urbania Magazine recognized her work by selecting her as one of 50 extraordinary Quebecers. In continuation with her work on climate change, she co-wrote a book called “Quel vin pour demain” which was published by Dunod in September 2021. The book talks about the solutions available for the wine industry to adapt and mitigate climate change.
Laura Catena, Managing Director at Catena Zapata
Dr. Laura Catena is a Harvard and Stanford trained biologist and physician, author, fourth generation vintner, and founder of the Catena Institute of Wine. Dr. Catena was a practicing Emergency Physician in California for 27 years while also working for her family winery, Catena Zapata and starting her own wine projects, Luca, La Posta and Domaine Nico, in Mendoza, Argentina. In 2023, Dr. Catena, a leader in sustainability, was named Old Vine Hero by the Old Vines Conference, for her work in preserving Argentina’s ungrafted, massale, genetically diverse old vines. She recently led her family winery, Catena Zapata to be voted #1 World’s Best Vineyard 2023. Doctor Catena’s advocacy for wine in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle is featured in her web site www.indefenseofwine.com.
Antonio Graca, Director of Research and Development, SOGRAPE
Antonio will be speaking on behalf of Sogrape Wine Academy (SWA). Sogrape Wine Academy is a WSET Silver Sponsor and partner.
Antonio Graça is Head of Research and Development at Sogrape Vinhos SA. He holds a MSc. degree in Oenology from UTAD having worked before as an oenologist and winemaker. He serves as expert of the Viticulture Commission and was elected Vice-President of the Sustainable Development and Climate Change expert group of the International Organization of Vine and Wine - OIV. He holds also a position as a member of the technical board of the Portuguese National Reference for Sustainability Certification in the Wine Sector. He joined the Executive Committee of Oenoviti International network and serves as expert near several European and national wine business associations and federations (AEVP, ACIBEV, FEV, PTV, CEEV). In 2009, he co-founded PORVID, the flagship institution conserving Portuguese grapevines. Antonio published several scientific works and currently focuses on agroecology, biodiversity, digital transition, climate change adaptation, resilience and system dynamics of the food and wine value chain.
William Rogers, Group Technical Director, Charles Faram & Co Ltd
Will has been with Charles Faram for 17 years, initially joining the company in sales, moving to Sales Manager and onto Sales Director before being promoted to Group Technical Director. Will has strong connections with hop growing, being born into a hop growing family and has technical expertise in hop growing and agronomy. Will drives the breeding programme and innovation in agronomy. Will has had an article published by the ASBC (American Society of Brewing Chemists), presents annually at the SIBA conference (BeerX) about hop breeding and Innovation and has presented at the Hop Technical day at the University of Kent.