
Excellence in Environmental Sustainability Award 2025

Sponsored by:​​​
Championing Sustainability in the Wine Industry
The Excellence in Environmental Sustainability Award (EESA) is a prestigious recognition presented at the ICCWS 2025 Awards Dinner. This award celebrates wineries that are not only producing exceptional wines but are also leading the way in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. With the support of AGL, we aim to honour winemakers who are making a positive impact on the planet, embracing innovation and sustainability at every level of production.
​
More Than a Wine Show
The ICCWS is renowned for its celebration of excellence in wine, but the Environmental Sustainability Award takes that commitment a step further. It spotlights wineries that are dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint, focusing on those who are taking significant steps to innovate, reduce waste, conserve resources, and implement sustainable practices from vine to bottle. This award recognises the leaders in the wine industry who are driving change toward a more sustainable future.
Award Categories & Eligibility
The Excellence in Environmental Sustainability Award is open to all entrants of the ICCWS 2025 Wine Show. Wine producers of any size can apply, with entries divided into three categories based on annual wine production:
EESA 1: under 10,000 cases
EESA 2: 10,000 – 100,000 cases
EESA 3: over 100,000 cases
Application Criteria
To be eligible, wineries must demonstrate:
​
Quantifiable Improvements: Provide evidence of sustainable initiatives already in place, with measurable outcomes.
Clear Impact: Show a direct correlation between sustainability efforts and environmental improvements.
Visible Progress: Initiatives should be fully implemented—not just planned—and should demonstrate tangible, ongoing efforts toward sustainability.
Award Assessment Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following key sustainability areas:
1. Sustainable Farming Practices (40%)
Adoption of eco-friendly agricultural techniques, renewable energy, water conservation, and soil health improvements.
2. Waste Reduction & Recycling (20%)
Efforts to reduce waste, promote recycling, and use sustainable packaging materials.
3. Carbon Footprint Reduction (40%)
Initiatives to lower greenhouse gas emissions through carbon offset programs, sustainable transportation, and energy-efficient technologies.
Judging Process
1. Initial Screening: All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness. Ineligible applications will be disqualified.
2. Panel Review: Applications will be scored based on the outlined criteria by an expert judging panel.
3. Online Interviews: Shortlisted wineries will participate in online interviews to clarify their application details.
4. Final Deliberation: The panel will convene to select finalists and the winner based on their overall sustainability efforts.
5. Announcement & Recognition: Winners will be announced at the ICCWS Annual Awards Ceremony and featured in industry publications.
​
Key Dates
​
• Applications open Friday 7th February, 2025
* Application Deadline: Mondy June 6th, 2025
• Shortlist Announcement: June - July 2025
• Winners Announcement: On Friday 29th August 2025, at the ICCWS Awards Dinner and featured in industry publications.​
​​​
Apply Now
Are you a winemaker championing sustainability? We want to hear from you! Submit your application today and be part of the movement toward a more sustainable wine industry.
​
​
​
​​​
Join us in shaping the future of sustainable winemaking.