Ellis Wines | 2025
Rooted in Responsibility
Our commitment to sustainability and social impact
Will i a m, James & Robert Ellis
You can’t bottle what comes with our wine.
An independent family wine merchant since 1822.
As a highly respected, independent family business, based in West London, we import wines and represent a number of award-winning producers from around the globe. Our extensive wine list consists of over one thousand wines from all over the world. The story began more than two hundred years ago, in 1822, when Joseph Ellis started his wine business. Today, the Ellis family continues to manage the business with James, Robert and William at the helm, and the next generation now on board, with Holly, Stefan and Angus.
We continually strive to further reduce our impact on the planet and move towards a more sustainable future, to ensure our business can continue to thrive for the next 200 years and beyond. We are proud to announce that we are now a Carbon Neutral business.
Many of the producers we work with are also family-owned, with the same inherent and vested interest in the long-term care of our planet, whilst also maintaining a focus on high-quality wines. A significant number have invested in organic, biodynamic, or other environmentally focused practices. These include low-intervention, carbon neutral, certified sustainable and limited chemical use, as well as many other projects, often uncertified. Sustainability in winemaking also includes activities focused on local community projects.
Great wines and fantastic customer service are at the heart of Ellis Wines, but we are also passionate about doing the right thing and ensuring that our impact on the environment and our community is as positive as possible.
This manifesto sets out how we live and breathe our passion for wine, people and the planet. It’s our first attempt to formalise our approach to sustainability.
Off to a winning start...
FORMED A GREEN TEAM to record and monitor our impact and action change
REMOVED SINGLE-USE CUPS FROM OUR OFFICE saving 14,000 cups entering landfill per year
DRIVING TOWARDS A GREENER FUTURE WITH HVO FUEL find out more on p.33
CHOOSING SUSTAINABLE PARTNERS
working with Cleanology, First Mile, Crown Oil and Greencroft Bottling
RECYCLING OUR CORKS WITH RECORKED UK the UK's only wine cork recycling programme
TRAINED OUR FIRST MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDERS find out more on p.40
DIGITAL
BUSINESS
CARDS
to further reduce our paper consumption
USING PAPER TAPE to replace plastic tape on our boxes
The story so far...
1822
Joseph Ellis starts his wine business
1839
The Ellis family receive their first Royal Warrant 2000 RWA, our sister company is formed to serve the independent sector
2021
We implement a renewable energy plan
2022
We celebrate 200 years at the Royal Opera House & our first two electric vans join our fleet, with two more joining in 2024
2002
A new office in Hanworth, complete with our own bonded warehouse
2013
We host our first portfolio tasting at Vintners’ Hall, London
2020
Our first bulk shipment, Punto Alto is imported
2023
We achieve our carbon neutral status
2024
We take our first step towards becoming a B Corp company
2025
We are the first UK wine merchant to fuel 70% of our fleet with HVO fuel
HVO
Our core values
Our core values form the foundation upon which Ellis Wines stands, like the roots of a sturdy vineyard.
After 200 years of building our business, we know a thing or two about wine and we’re immensely proud of what we’ve created. With the business growing and a new generation coming on board, we embarked on a meaningful exploration to define what truly represents us. The result is a set of core values crafted not just by a few, but by everyone. They guide our decisions, shape our relationships and define our reputation in the industry. They are not just ideals to aspire to but, principles to live by every day – and should be felt by our customers and partners too.
As the future generation of a family-run company, sustainability is something that has even more resonance for us. We are passionate about creating a positive work culture, as well as reducing our impact on the planet to ensure our business can continue, for many years to come.”
Holly & Angus Ellis
200 years of excellence upheld using our experience to provide our best service
pride + passion a love for everything that we do
partners to rely on going the extra mile for our partners
extended family a team where everyone is family
evolving legacy embracing change for a brighter future
Proud to be Carbon Neutral
We are proud to be a Carbon Neutral company, and are working hard towards our ambitious targets.
To attain this status, we collaborated with Carbon Footprint, a consultancy specialising in carbon offsetting. This comprehensive project involved evaluating our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across three categories:
• emissions we directly own, such as those from our vans
• emissions from the energy we consume
• emissions originating from sources we indirectly impact, such as business travel, freight, and glass
To offset our remaining GHG emissions, we selected two impactful projects. We understand that offsetting GHG emissions is not the long-term solution for reducing our environmental impact and meeting our ambitious targets, which is why we are constantly exploring meaningful policies and practices both within our own business and with our stakeholders to become more sustainable.
65.3% reduction in emissions by 2030
95.1% reduction in emissions by 2050
view our emissions here:
EMISSIONS FROM SOURCES WE DIRECTLY OWN
SCOPE 1 SCOPE 2
EMISSIONS FROM ENERGY WE CONSUME
SCOPE 3
EMISSIONS ORIGINATING FROM SOURCES WE INDIRECTLY IMPACT
SWR
The Sustainable Wine Roundtable
The Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) is a unique coalition and the only global, independent roundtable that unites the entire wine value chain.
SWR fosters collaboration and knowledgesharing across the industry. Whether a producer, distributor, retailer, logistics partner or researcher, all stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this collective effort.
Together, they are developing practical tools, including a global sustainability reference standard. SWR is also partnering with industry members to drive collective action in key areas such as vineyard chemistry, labour standards, packaging, bottle weight and low-carbon logistics.
We joined their efforts and became a proud member in July 2024 with plans to become a participant in the Bottle Weight Accord.
The SWR Bottle Weight Accord
The Bottle Weight Accord was launched in November 2023. Alongside SWR, participants –including retailers, producers and importers – are working together addressing glass bottle weights. Research by the SWR shows that as much as half of the carbon impact of wine comes from the bottle itself, a combination of manufacturing and transportation energy.
This is where the Accord comes in, with each participant aiming to reduce the weight of their still wine bottles from an average of 550g to an average below 420g by the end of 2026, achieved by:
• removing the heaviest bottles
• reducing weight of own-brand wine bottles by the end of 2025
• collaborating through SWR across the supply chain to make change happen
You can't be green when you're in the red"
Richard Bampfield MW
Richard Bampfield MW, Leadership Committee Member speaking at our Portfolio Tasting 2024 at the Royal Opera House
Our wines
We are proud to be certified by the Soil Association as an organic wine importer and, proactively source sustainably made wines, especially those made using organic and biodynamic principles. We strive to clearly communicate a wine’s certification or practices with regards to its sustainability / organic / biodynamic status, with many wines displaying relevant certifications on their packaging.
When sourcing wines we do our best to:
• buy the best wine at the best prices to deliver the best value to our customers
When exploring new partnerships, we look for suppliers:
• whom we can trust and who share our values
• for whom quality and consistency of product is key
• who value our customers as much as we do
• whose wines are vegan and vegetarian-friendly
• who work sustainably and demonstrate an ambition to further develop their sustainable policies
Why we care about working with organic and biodynamic producers
Making wine sustainably, organically, or biodynamically is about more than just the wine; at its core, it’s about caring for and protecting the land, promoting biodiversity, and farming using natural processes. These methods, which limit or eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or fungicides, require significant skill and experience. Growers are more exposed to challenges such as drought, fungus, and pests, and the costs of production can consequently be higher.
What do we mean by organic wine?
• Wine produced according to organic standards from grapes grown using organic viticulture. Detailed guidelines vary from country to country, but organic wines usually have 25-35% lower sulphur levels than ‘conventional’ wines
• The use of synthetic fertilisers, fungicides and pesticides is prohibited. Instead, natural compost and manure are used, with a focus on improving soil health and encouraging natural predators through cover crop biodiversity planting
• Organic wines may or may not be suitable for vegans or vegetarians
See our case study on Emiliana on p.21 to learn more about their efforts on regenerative organic viticulture.
What do we mean by biodynamic wine?
Production takes a more holistic approach compared with organic viticulture. Based on the agricultural theories of Austrian philosopher, Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, it sees three key additions to organic practices:
• The vineyard has to be a selfsustaining ‘farm organism’
• Biodynamic ‘preparations’ containing minerals and herbs are used to treat the vineyard
• Key tasks such as pruning, ploughing, picking and bottling are timed to harness beneficial ‘formative forces’
THE BIODYNAMIC CALENDAR
FLOWER DAYS: leave vines alone to blossom
LEAF DAYS: water vines for healthy leaves
ROOT DAYS: prune to stimulate growth
FRUIT DAYS: harvest grapes
did you know?
SPAIN HAS MORE HECTARES OF ORGANIC VINEYARD THAN ANY OTHER IN THE WORLD
What do we mean by sustainable wine?
There’s a great deal to discuss when it comes to making wine sustainably. Although there is no agreed definition to describe ‘sustainable wine’, there are established practices considered sustainable, with various certifications available to help you easily identify sustainable wines.
Sustainable wine considers:
• energy and water consumption
• soil health
• vineyard biodiversity
• packaging
• chemical usage
• management of waste
• sustainable shipping: see more on p.27
• social responsibility: see our case study on Ses'fikile on p.22 to learn more about their initiatives and commitments to the local community and education
Biodiversity with beekeeping at Balestri Valda
One of our sustainably shipped bulk wines
% OF WINES IN OUR PORTFOLIO THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC OR BIODYNAMIC
15% are organic or biodynamic
48% are sustainably certified or made with sustainable practices
did you know?
THERE ARE FEWER THAN 30 WINERIES GLOBALLY WITH ROC STATUS
Emiliana
Emiliana: pioneering regenerative organic practices
Emiliana, one of the world's leading organic and biodynamic wineries, has cemented its position as a sustainability trailblazer by becoming the first Chilean company to achieve Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC). This prestigious certification recognises Emiliana's commitment to practices that go beyond organic farming, focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and the well-being of workers and communities. By integrating regenerative principles into their vineyards, Emiliana is not only enhancing the quality of their wines but also contributing to the restoration of ecosystems and the fight against climate change. We are incredibly proud to work with Emiliana and to support their groundbreaking efforts in setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the wine industry.
What is Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC)?
Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) is a rigorous international standard that goes beyond traditional organic farming to promote holistic, sustainable practices in agriculture. Developed by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, ROC focuses on three core pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. It emphasises regenerative farming methods that rebuild soil organic matter, enhance biodiversity, and capture carbon to combat climate change. Additionally, ROC ensures ethical treatment of workers and humane animal practices, creating a comprehensive approach to sustainability. As a gold standard in agriculture, ROC represents a commitment to not only preserving the environment but also actively restoring it for future generations.
Ses’fikile
A business to make a social impact
Ses’fikile, meaning "we have arrived" in Xhosa, is a women-led winery founded by Nondumiso Pikashe, a former high school teacher from Gugulethu, South Africa. Driven by her passion for wine and education, Nondumiso collaborates with Stellenbosch University to introduce students to the wine industry through tours and agriscience courses, inspiring new career pathways.
Growing up in a township where alcohol abuse was widespread, she is determined to shift perceptions of wine through education and by breaking race, gender, and socio-economic barriers. As sole owner, Nondumiso oversees every aspect of production, ensuring quality –a commitment reflected in her Chenin Blanc / Roussanne, which earned 95 points from Decanter.
What sets Ses'fikile apart from other wine brands is that we are an indigenous brand that speaks to the culture of our beautiful country. It's inspirational, it's aspirational, it's inclusive, it speaks to the future and draws strength from the past.
Nondumiso Pikashe
Nondumiso Pikashe, Founder & Owner of Ses’fikile
Shipping
Our statement of intent towards sustainable shipping
Sustainable logistics is essentially about making logistics, freight and transportation more sustainable, by minimising the environmental impact of the practices involved in these processes.
As a company, it is our intention and responsibility to minimise the impact of our activities upon the environment as much as is possible, to be conscious of the decisions that we make and to be considered in our approach to purchasing wines from around the world. This is an ever-evolving process, so we will continually review our methods and effectiveness.
There are various ways that sustainability is implemented into our logistics services, including adopting greener transport options.
We always consider more sustainable transport alternatives wherever possible by working with logistic partners that share our own sustainable philosophy. Our longestserving haulier, who represents over 50% of all our freight forwarding is Carbon Neutral and follows a strict 2050 Net Zero road map. Like our other hauliers, they work closely with the shipping industry, which is currently investing record sums in sustainable initiatives. These include newer, larger container ships powered by green methanol, with an industry ambition of achieving net zero by 2040.
We try to maximise the loads of our shipments by consolidating our orders among several suppliers in the same area to avoid wasted energy on partial capacity. Full-container loads account for 99% of all deep-sea shipments, while European orders are typically full pallet loads, which are then combined into full truck loads to optimise energy efficiency in transportation.
Rich a rd Page, PurchasingManager
DID YOU KNOW?
COMPARED WITH CONVENTIONAL FUELS, RENEWABLE METHANOL CUTS CO2 EMISSIONS BY UP TO 95%
32,000
equivalent bottles per load when shipping in flexi tank
8,400
bottles when shipping bottled wine in pallets
Sustainable packaging
We are working with our suppliers to introduce more sustainable packaging into our logistics strategy by adopting lighterweight bottles wherever possible. In doing so, we’ll have a lighter footprint when shipping in stock from around the globe.
We also have a healthy programme of Bulk Wine Logistics, transporting 24,000 litre tanks of wine to Greencroft Bottling, an industry-leading carbon-minus bottling site here in the UK. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting bottled wine, as we effectively ship 32,000 equivalent bottles per load, vs 8,400 bottles when shipping pre-bottled wine on pallets. This has had a significant impact in reducing our overall carbon footprint in what is a rapidly growing category of our business.
Find out more about Greencroft Bottling and their efforts on p.30
The journey of our bulk wines
1 Our buyers source quality wine
2 The wine is loaded into a flexitank
4 The wine is bottled and labelled at Greencroft
5 It is then delivered to our warehouse and sent out to our customers
3 The wine is shipped to the UK
6
The wine is ready to be enjoyed!
OUR AWARD WINNING, IN-HOUSE DESIGN TEAM DESIGN ALL THE LABELS FOR OUR BULK WINES!
Greencroft Bottling
A carbon-minus bottling facility
Our bulk wine is bottled by Greencroft Bottling, a company, that produces more energy than it consumes, primarily generated by on-site wind turbines and solar panels.
Transport
All of our wine bottled at Greencroft Bottling arrives via a North East port, minimising road travel time and therefore, reducing CO 2 emmissions per journey:
• using North East ports instead of rail transport from the South saves approximately 45% in carbon emissions
• compared with road transport from Felixstowe, this method saves 68% in carbon emissions
Glass
When wine is bottled at its place of production, the bottles may have already travelled a long distance from their own country of manufacture, meaning each bottle could undergo two separate journeys.
CO2 savings of shipping with Flexitank
Compared with shipping bottles, Flexitanks offer a significant reduction in carbon footprint, saving up to 38% in CO 2 emissions.
Quality
There is unfounded negative stigma associated with the term ‘bulk wine’, with some consumers wrongly assuming the quality of wine to be poor. On the contrary, wine transported in bulk is actually less vulnerable (than bottled wine) to the sometimes, extreme climatic variations that can be experienced during shipping – a journey which may be up to nine weeks.
Greencroft Two
A second bottling facility was completed in October 2024 and is the UK’s most sustainable wine bottling facility, powered entirely by renewable wind and solar energy. The new £21 million building has more than doubled Greencroft Bottling’s potential capacity to up to 400 million litres per year – equivalent to around 28% of all wine sold in the UK.
Greencroft sustainability pledge 2024-27
• Bolster energy independence by increasing renewable energy generation by at least 25% by 2027
• Continuing to pioneer renewable energy practices and utilisation of existing assets
• Continue improving energy efficiency of buildings
• Be a leader in sustainability
• Be a force for change
90% OF OUR FLEET IS EITHER ELECTRIC OR FUELLED BY HVO
Transport & delivery
Our dedication to greener deliveries
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact through sustainable delivery practices, ensuring that every step of our logistics aligns with our commitment to a greener future. Our focus on sustainable transport reflects our pledge to deliver exceptional service to our customers while protecting the planet for future generations.
• Since implementing our electric fleet, we have saved 29.2 metric tonnes of carbon
• All other vehicles meet the latest Euro 6 emission standards
• We use route-optimising software for maximum journey efficiency
• Our company car policy requires all new company cars to be hybrid or electric, with EV charging points installed in our staff car park
HVO: Driving towards a greener future!
As part of our work to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, we carefully assessed the most sustainable ways to deliver wines to our customers. This has included investment in electric vehicles, making up 20% of our fleet.
We are very excited to announce an additional 70% of our fleet has been transitioned to HVO fuel from traditional diesel; massively cutting our vehicle carbon emissions by up to 90% and significantly reducing other harmful particulate matter associated with diesel fuels.
What is HVO fuel?
HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), is a low-carbon biofuel, that contains Zero FAME, sulphur or fossil content. It is free from aromatics, sulphur and metals, resulting in lower emissions, reduced soot in engines and exhaust systems, and higher fuel efficiency.
Our HVO fuel is supplied by Crown Oil, and we are the first wine merchant in the UK to operate our fleet using this fuel.
Warehouse
We are proud to have our very own HM Customs Bonded warehouse on-site, as well as a new bonded warehouse in Exeter, holding over one million bottles of wine.
Our warehouse wins:
• all warehouse equipment is fully electric
• we use transparent and white recyclable wrapping for our pallets
• electronic handsets are used for picking orders, reducing paper consumption
• investing in sustainable and eco-friendly packaging across the business, including paper tape for our boxes
• we have eliminated 14,000 paper cups annually by replacing disposable cups in our office coffee machine, with reusable flasks for our operations team
Accreditations:
• BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution
• Certified by the Soil Association as an organic wine importer
• ISO:9001
We are continually exploring ways to optimise our operations, to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Meet our Operations Team: Matt Hanley, Paul Wilshaw & James Hanley
Ellis Wines AGM 2025, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Our people
Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and fostering a positive and supportive workplace is central to our mission. With the development of our new core values, we recognised the need for strong leadership in driving this change. Holly Ellis was the ideal fit for our People & Culture Manager. She has since completed her CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice and is leading key initiatives to cultivate a workplace where every team member feels valued, supported and truly happy.
Looking after our team
Ellis Excellence Award: a quarterly employee award that recognises excellence within the business, with nominations cast by colleagues for those upholding our core values.
Bonus Scheme: Rewarding staff who go above and beyond and embody our core values.
Employee Milestone Reward: to recognise and reward the dedication of our longstanding employees at 5, 10, 20 and 25 years.
Accreditations: we are fully committed to supporting our staff, and were the first UK Wine Company to pay staff above London Living Wage. We are also holders of Investors in People.
Having previously trained and worked as an ecologist, before moving into horticulture, the topic of sustainability and how we choose to treat our planet is one that is close to my heart, and something I always consider when making day-to-day choices.
I joined Ellis Wines in late 2023, having been impressed with their commitment to reducing negative impacts on the planet. I was quick to sign up to the Green Team, where I hope to use my experience to continue to drive positive change.”
Angelica Wilson Digital Marketing Manager
MEET OUR GREEN TEAM
We have recently formed an Ellis Wines Green Team of passionate staff members, across our different departments, who meet regularly to ensure we’re on top of our sustainability goals.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
Move more for your mental health
13th – 19th May 2024
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we launched an exciting initiative encouraging everyone to prioritise movement for their wellbeing – and to give back to a great cause!
Here’s what we did:
Movement Challenge: Colleagues were encouraged to log their movement minutes throughout the week, whether it was walking, cycling, dancing, gym workouts, or even chair exercises. Every minute counted!
Supporting a Cause: We pledged to donate 10% of the total logged movement minutes (up to £700) to Kelly’s Cause.
This initiative was a fantastic way to bring the team together, raise awareness about mental health, and contribute to a worthy cause. The response was overwhelmingly positive!
9,781 movement minutes recorded
Mental Health First Aiders
We believe that everyone does their best, when they’re feeling their best.
We have three volunteer Mental Health First Aiders at Ellis Wines, acting as a first point of contact for anyone seeking support at work.
The MHFA team has been trained to look out for signs of poor mental health, as well as being a point of contact for seeking further help, or simply a person to chat to.
Keeping our team in the loop
At Ellis Wines, we love keeping our team informed and engaged. We share a monthly staff newsletter filled with updates, highlights, and essential company news.
To foster open communication and continuous improvement, we’ve introduced a suggestions form that encourages employee feedback, helping us enhance the workplace experience.
Additionally, our Annual General Meeting (AGM) serves as a platform to celebrate our achievements and outline future goals, ensuring everyone is aligned with our vision and progress.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
We are deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across every aspect of our business.
All job applications are reviewed anonymously, with identifiable characteristics removed to ensure an unbiased hiring process. Each job posting also includes a statement affirming our dedication to DEI principles.
As part of our initiatives, we offer an optional well-being passport during the on-boarding process, providing a supportive framework.
Jonny Tyson DipWSET, Training & Education Manager
Training & development
We consider our entire team family, and are committed to supporting our staff with training tailored to their individual role and needs.
As part of our onboarding process, all team members undergo mandatory wine training. We actively encourage and provide opportunities for everyone to progress through WSET Level 1, 2 and 3. These courses are led by our dedicated Training Manager, Jonny Tyson DipWSET, who, as a full-time member of staff, is always on hand to support wine knowledge and learning.
In addition, staff receive a quarterly allowance to spend on wine purchases, enabling them to deepen their understanding of the products in our portfolio.
I joined Ellis Wines a little over 3 years ago and since then, I’ve had plenty of opportunities for development within my role and of my wine knowledge.
Since joining Ellis Wines, I’ve passed my WSET level 2 and 3. In September 2023, I started studying towards my WSET Diploma. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given at Ellis and look forward to further opportunities to develop my skills and knowledge in the future.”
Archie Moore Purchasing
Portfolio tasting: celebrating sustainability
2024 Portfolio Tasting at the Royal Opera House “A Taste of the Future”
Having celebrated our extensive history in 2022, our 2024 Portfolio Tasting looked to embrace the future. We wanted to acknowledge our renewed focus on sustainability and our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, without compromising on the quality of the wines sourced by our knowledgeable buying team.
Wines
Planet-friendly wines from over 70 producers were on show for our customers to taste, featuring firm favourites, new wines and a selection of fine wines. Out of all the wines showcased, 78% were sustainably produced (certified or made using sustainable practices).
Focus on local wines
We chose not to highlight Champagne at this event, instead showcasing our range of superb English sparkling wines, as well as an ever-growing selection of English still wines. Encouraging local buying is certainly not a new concept when making sustainably led choices, but it is one that perhaps isn’t as consciously considered when buying wine as it is with locally grown food. Find out more about one of our English producers, Ridgeview, on p.49.
Carbon offsetting
Invited producers travelling from further afield by air were encouraged to offset their flights, resulting in 44% of flights being carbon offset.
44% OF PRODUCER
FLIGHTS WERE OFFSET
Sustainability talks from guest speaker
Richard Bampfield MW
We invited Master of Wine, Richard Bampfield to join us for the day, giving talks on Sustainability in Winemaking and on English wine. The talks included tastings of wines from two winemakers; Ridgeview (B-Corp certified), and Ladybird Vineyards (organically managed) in South Africa.
Recyclable display props
All event signage and props were made using fully recyclable cardboard materials. Our giant cardboard wine bottle and wine glass props from the event have already been repurposed as props at one of our team’s wedding, appropriately held at an English vineyard.
Event bags
Cotton tote bags were given to attendees, deliberately designed with subtle branding to encourage maximum re-use. Branded pens were included, each made with recycled materials and fully recyclable. Goodies were included from two B-Corps; an ethically sourced chocolate bar from Love Cocoa and wine in a can by NICE.
our Portfolio Tasting, 2024
Angus, James & Holly Ellis at
Tamara Roberts, CEO of Ridgeview Wine Estate
The job is not done, nor will it ever be and we need to continue to look for ways in which we can do things better and differently. We will never rest on our success and, with honesty and transparency, we are committed to learn and grow.”
Tamara Roberts CEO, Ridgeview Wine Estate
Ridgeview
Just a stone's throw away
Since 1995, family-run winery, Ridgeview has been producing award-winning English sparkling wine in Sussex, in the heart of the South Downs National Park.
In 2022, Ridgeview became the first UK winery to receive Certified B Corporation® status and was one of only 25 wineries worldwide at the time of accreditation. This is a testament to their commitment to meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, balancing people, planet and profit.
Focusing on quality and sustainability from grape to glass, Ridgeview has been leading the way in setting new standards for sustainable and ethical practices in the UK wine industry; and as a B Corp and founding member of Sustainable Wines GB, they’re committed to driving continuous improvements for a better future for all.
PRIDE MONTH
A WINE TO BE PROUD OF
During Pride Month, in June 2024, Ellis Wines donated 50p per bottle sold of The Power of Love and other Black Elephant Vintner wines to LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall.
raised for Stonewall
Charity
We support a number of charities throughout the year, both locally and nationally, through staff fundraising activities such as; office fancy dress days, bake sales and special wine promotions. We have JustGiving pages for charities we regularly support, including Macmillan Cancer Support and Save the Children.
Other charities we have supported over the past year include Stonewall – supporting the rights of LGBTQ+ people, Kelly’s Cause, and Hospitality Action – supporting those working within the hospitality industry.
We are also partners of the following charities:
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust: Most recently, we are proud to have partnered with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a Scottishbased charity established in 2006, working across England, Wales and Scotland. They work to protect bumblebee populations through habitat restoration, research, and public education to inspire different groups to help bumblebees in their local area.
Over the past 70 years, there have been major declines in their numbers, including extinction of two species in the UK.
Bumblebees are vital pollinators, crucial for the reproduction of many flowering plants and agricultural crops. While not essential for pollination in viticulture, bumblebees contribute significantly to the overall health of vineyard ecosystems by pollinating cover crops and surrounding vegetation, promoting biodiversity, enhancing soil health and aiding in natural pest management.
Credit: Angelica Wilson
Walk for Wellbeing in support of Hospitality Action, 2024
Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children, Ellis Wines HQ, 2024
Our team volunteering with Shooting Star for their Christmas tree collection initiative, January 2025
The Drinks Trust: For a number of years we have also supported The Drinks Trust, a UK charity dedicated to supporting individuals within the drinks industry. They have a range of initiatives that promote well-being, provide financial assistance, and offer educational opportunities, ensuring that those who contribute to our industry receive the support they need.
Shooting Star: We are also proud to partner with Shooting Star, a leading children’s hospice charity that provides vital care and support to families with children facing life-limiting conditions. Through this partnership, Ellis Wines is committed to supporting the incredible work of this local charity, helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families during challenging times.
Staff fundraising
At Ellis Wines, our staff are passionate about getting involved in external charity projects, from bike rides and marathons, to an Arctic survival trek! Any fundraising efforts are matched by the company up to £500.
One notable example is the ‘Golden Hearts’ initiative, where our Account Manager, Richard Yates, teamed up with BM Caterers and Hogan Lovells to raise funds through gala dinners, providing essential supplies such as clothing, medical kits and baby food to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. Richard not only led fundraising efforts, but also personally delivered the supplies to Ukraine, ensuring they reached those in need.
By supporting such impactful causes, our employees contribute to important community efforts, reflecting our company’s core values of empathy and support. We are incredibly proud of our staff’s dedication to fundraising for both company and personal causes.
Registered charity numbers: Macmillan Cancer Support: 261017, Save the Children International: 1076822, Stonewall: 1101255, Kelly's Cause Foundation: 1186456, Hospitality Action: 1101083, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust: 1115634, Shooting Star Children's Hospices: 1042495, The Drinks Trust: 1023376
Looking ahead: our goals
Our vision is to make great wine more sustainable and accessible for everyone; creating long-term value for our stakeholders, from the environment we impact, to the people we work with and the communities we operate in.
Whilst this is the end of our brochure, we are just getting started!
2026
Become a certified B Corp
2030
Achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 from our baseline year of 2023. Register our Net-Zero commitment with the SBTi by 2030.