Wine by Sail – Our Eco-Friendly Venture!

Imagine your next bottle of wine arriving after an incredible journey across the seas, powered solely by wind. That’s the essence of Wine by Sail. By partnering with sailship companies, we are breathing new life into traditional sailing methods, transporting their carefully selected organic wines from European producers to the UK with a drastically reduced environmental impact.

Unlike conventional shipping, which contributes heavily to carbon emissions and marine pollution, this initiative uses the wind — a renewable and clean source of energy — to cut emissions by a staggering 90-97%. The project kicked off with shipments from Portugal, delivering some of the country’s organic wines to the UK! The ultimate goal is to have a proportion of our portfolio shipped regularly using Wine by Sail.

Wine by Sail is not just about getting wine from point A to point B. It’s about completely rethinking how the wine industry operates. Shipping wine by traditional methods is one of the largest contributors to the industry’s carbon footprint. This new initiative slashes this impact, making it one of the most sustainable options in wine distribution today.

“We’re not just selling great wine; we’re rethinking everything—from the vineyard to the glass—to drive sustainability forward.” – Founder Richard Ellison.

With Wine by Sail, we aim to set a new standard for what eco-conscious wine distribution can and should look like. By minimising sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared to conventional cargo shipping, Wine by Sail offers a solution to two of the biggest pollutants caused by traditional shipping. This isn’t just about saving the planet, bottle by bottle; it’s about leading a transformation in how the wine industry can thrive while reducing its environmental impact.

Wine by Sail represents much more than a green initiative—it’s a fundamental shift in how wine can and should be transported. Traditional shipping methods rely heavily on fossil fuels, generating large amounts of carbon emissions and contributing to ocean pollution.

This initiative also taps into a growing movement among climate-conscious consumer who are looking for ways to support sustainability in every aspect of their lives. From vineyard to glass, every step of the Wine by Sail journey is designed to align with these values.

The first voyage of the Wine by Sail adventure brings a handpicked selection of wines from Portugal’s Beira Interior region. These wines are the creation of organic winemaker Gil Taveira, whose vineyard sits at 650 meters above sea level, making it the highest wine-growing region in Portugal. His label, Bal de Madre—meaning “Valley of the Mother”—is a homage to the nurturing earth that provides for his vines.

Gil’s approach to winemaking is rooted in regenerative agriculture, where the health of the land is cared for just as carefully as the grapes themselves. His organic wines are an authentic reflection of the terroir, rich in flavour, and crafted with a deep respect for nature. Now, thanks to Wine by Sail, the Bal de Madre range of wine will arrive in the UK exclusively by sail ship powered by wind, with a minimal environmental footprint.

Bal de Madre Branco (White)

Zesty and aromatic, this wine features citrus notes, green apple, and minerality. Perfect with seafood, salads, or fresh cheeses.

Bal de Madre Rosé

A fresh, pale pink rosé with wild strawberry and citrus tones, embodying the spirit of alfresco dining and easy-drinking summer days.

Bal de Madre Tinto (Red)

A blend of Tinta Roriz and Rufete, this is a bright, medium-bodied organic red with elegant red fruit, soft tannins, and subtle spice. Ideal for grilled vegetables, lean meats, and warming dishes.

Each wine is made following regenerative agriculture principles, where soil health, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability guide every decision in the vineyard. The wines are certified organic and truly reflect their high-altitude terroir and the passion of their maker.

Read more about Bal de Madre, a project by Miss Vitis Wines

Since the project was launched in 2024, Wanderlust Wine is proud to partner with some of the UK’s most celebrated culinary destinations to bring the Bal de Madre range to a wider audience, such as Hand and Flowers in Marlow (2-Star Michelin), Caper and Cure in Bristol (a local Bistrol) and Albers in London (a wine bar and restaurant) You can now find the range in some of the best venues across the country.

This is not just about enjoying great wine—it’s about supporting a future where sustainability and craftsmanship come together. By choosing these wines, you’re not only supporting organic wines from boutique wineries — you’re helping to reshape the future of the wine industry. From September 2024, you will be able to find the full range of Bal de Madre wines on our website.