Drinks Business Green Awards – the winners

South Africa came up trumps at the inaugural Drinks Business Green Awards last night, where members of the alcohol industry were rewarded for their forward-thinking and dynamic ethical practices.

At a ceremony held in central London, where guests sipped on Pommery, Mont Tauch and Torres wines, Paarl winery Backsberg Estate won the Sustainability Award while Inge Kotzé, project co-ordinator for the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative was awarded Green Personality of the Year for her “passion, influence and determination in getting her message across in South Africa,” said Nicola Jenkin of WRAP, who presented the award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Elgin-based winemaker Paul Cluver, for his “energy and holistic approach to environmental issues,” said Dan Jago, BWS category director for Tesco, which also collected an award last night, for Green Retailer of the Year, an award that was sponsored by Wines of Chile.

Other sponsors of the awards included JF Hillebrand, which was the Launch Sponsor, and Amorim, which sponsored the Ethical Award.

A full list of the winners:

Best Green Launch – Spirits
The Pure Green Vodka Company, Pure Green Vodka

Best Green Launch – Wine
Wakefield Wines

The Ethical Award
La Riojana Co-operative

Logistics & Supply Chain Green Initiative – Special Contribution
WRAP for Waste & Resources Action Programme, GlassRite: Wine Phase II

Logistics & Supply Chain Green Initiative – Wine
Concha y Toro

Sustainability Award – Special Contribution
Bodegas Torres

Sustainability Award – Winner
Backsberg Estate Cellars

UK Green Company of the Year
Bibendum Wines

International Green Company of the Year
Bodegas Torres

Green Retailer of the Year
Tesco

Green Personality of the Year
Inge Kotzé

Green Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr Paul Cluver

Jane Parkinson, 12.02.2010