Journey’s End Vineyards, an acclaimed boutique estate perched on the slopes above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village in the Helderberg basin, has joined forces with the innovative wine brand Interpunkt, founded by Andrew Ingham, to introduce a groundbreaking range of wines packaged in sustainable paperboard bottles – a pioneering initiative in South Africa.
Debuting exclusively on May 31, 2023, the Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, crafted by Journey’s End, will be available in select Checkers, Checkers Hyper supermarkets, and Checkers LiquorShop stores (RRP 119.99). These wines, encased in paperboard bottles, communicate to consumers that exceptional wine can be savored while minimizing environmental impact. Crafted from 100% recyclable paperboard exteriors, these bottles weigh five times less than traditional glass alternatives, significantly reducing their carbon footprint.
Beyond their evident eco-friendliness, Interpunkt’s objective is to make wine more inviting, accessible, and inclusive, particularly for those new to or infrequent consumers of wine. The labels eschew specialized and potentially intimidating wine jargon, presenting the South African Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz varietals – both IPW certified – in straightforward terms as ‘fresh and zesty’ and ‘juicy and easy drinking’, respectively.
With over two decades of experience as an international wine buyer across Australia, the UK, Germany, North America, and Asia, Andrew Ingham is a strong advocate for prioritizing the consumer’s experience by offering delectable, sustainable wines without the complexity. Ingham explains, “Too often, wine brands cater to a single audience – the wine connoisseurs. Yet, the majority of wine drinkers (68%) consist of newcomers, occasional imbibers, or those less engaged. By introducing an accessible brand in innovative packaging that also emphasizes ethically and sustainably sourced grapes, we can show everyone that fine wine is within reach.”
For this venture, partnering with dynamic and like-minded collaborators was paramount to Ingham and the Interpunkt ethos. Journey’s End was a natural choice, recognized not only for its exceptional wines and accomplished winemakers Leon Esterhuizen and Mike Dawson, but also for its own ethical and sustainable accreditations. Having won the Ethical Company of the Year award twice in 2020 and 2021 at The Drinks Business Green Awards, organized by the UK liquor trade magazine, as well as the Water Management Award in 2021, Journey’s End’s commitment is evident. The vineyard is also a WWF Conservation Champion, carbon-negative, and a founding member of Sustainable Wine Roundtable. Additionally, it was the second winery in South Africa to transition to solar power in 2014.
Rollo Gabb, Managing Director of Journey’s End, emphasizes, “Sustainability lies at the core of our winemaking at Journey’s End. That’s why we’re incredibly excited to collaborate with Andrew on producing wines in paperboard bottles – a first for South Africa. After two years of searching for a bottling partner willing to accept the challenge, slow down production, and adapt their equipment for paperboard bottles, we’re thrilled to have finally found the right collaborator for this task in South Africa. We’re all eagerly anticipating the journey ahead.”
In essence, the Journey’s End x Interpunkt collaboration aspires to create exceptional, sustainable wines that are accessible to all while championing environmentally-conscious practices – an initiative that reshapes the wine landscape in South Africa.
