September 15, 2016—Benicia, CA—Rivercap Absolute Green Line, maker of the new generation of eco-designed wine capsules, is proud to announce a partnership with Snoqualmie Winery. The capsule company, located in Benicia, California, and the winery in Paterson, Washington, have joined forces to produce a sustainable wine package with the release of Absolute Green Line (AGL) capsules.
Increasingly, consumers demand sustainably produced products, and winemakers are eager to extend their environmentally responsible farming and winemaking methods to wine packaging. Rivercap AGL is an ecological alternative—a capsule fashioned with bio-based polyethylene (PE) produced with sugar cane and water-based inks, instead of oil and solvents. Sugar cane is a renewable resource, and like all plants, it absorbs green-house gases during cultivation. This, together with the move from solvent-based inks to water-based inks, means that the Rivercap AGL capsule reduces its emission of CO2 by 80%.
The first Snoqualmie wines to feature the new capsule are the 2014 red wines and 2015 white wines. Snoqualmie winemaker Joy Andersen said, “I’m delighted that Rivercap’s Absolute Green Line capsule is now a part of the Snoqualmie wine package. The AGL capsule provides a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the winery’s commitment to fostering a sustainable environment.”
The new eco-friendly capsules were part of a natural progression in Snoqualmie’s investment and commitment to fostering a sustainable environment. In addition to the capsules, the winery’s packaging now includes the following eco-friendly elements:
- Glass bottles that are among the lightest in the industry (397g) and result in a 13% reduction in carbon emissions.
- Labels and other printed materials that are on 100% post-consumer waste materials stock.
- Corks and labels that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, guaranteeing sustainable practices at the source of origin.
- Corks that are also certified by the Rainforest Alliance, an international group committed to conserving biodiversity through sustainability.
- Grapes that are certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (ECO tier).
In anticipation of the release of the new eco-friendly packaging and capsules, Rivercap and Snoqualmie are kicking off a new advertising campaign in October; the ads will be featured in several wine industry trade and consumer publications.
About Rivercap SA
Rivercap SA was founded in 1990 in Lapuebla de Labarca, the heart of the Rioja Appellation in northern Spain. In the two decades since, the company has built an international reputation for producing premium quality capsules for the global wine and spirits industry. The company offers technically innovative products uniquely tailored for each customer, including high quality tin capsules, aluminum, polylaminate, PVC capsules, and screwcaps. With facilities located in Spain, France, and the U.S., Rivercap sells more than 800 million capsules in more than 40 countries worldwide. For further information on Rivercap capsules, please visit the website at www.rivercap.com and “like” us on Facebook.
About Snoqualmie Winery
Snoqualmie winery, named after the mountain pass that serves as the gateway to Washington wine country, has been making wines that reflect the balance and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest for more than two decades. It is Snoqualmie Winemaker Joy Andersen’s belief that taking good care of vineyards and local environment are essential steps towards advancing the natural quality of the Northwest and to making the best wines possible. All of Snoqualmie’s wines are made using sustainable and organic practices and each tier is designed to showcase the best winemaking techniques and vineyard selections. Additionally, Snoqualmie was one of first wineries in the state to craft wines from USDA-certified organically grown grapes from which our ECO tier is exclusively developed. Today, Snoqualmie has the largest certified organic vineyard in the state. For further information on Snoqualmie wines, please visit the website at www.snoqualmie.com and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/snoqualmiewine.
