On April 9th, winery owners, winemakers, and other industry representatives came together with sustainability leaders across various fields at Yountville’s hotel Bardessono in Napa Valley. The theme: The Future of California Wines. Nomacorc, the event’s organizer, hosts a conference each year on a different theme related to wine industry growth.
Nomacorc produces synthetic wine closures and is dedicated to preservation performance as well as sustainable business practices. Their conference theme this year focused on pressing issues facing the future of California wines, including demographic shifts, climate-change, and the influence of technology and sustainability in the marketing of California wine.
Caesars’ Director of Supplier Diversity and Sustainability, Jessica Rosman was invited to be one of three panelists for the event. The panel discussion was centered on trends in sustainability and how businesses are integrating them into operations and brand positioning to drive value for customers. During the session, Rosman identified six global trends affecting business today: climate change, energy and fuel, water scarcity, increased consumption, rise of urbanization, and connectivity and transparency.
Jessica went on to share insights into how Caesars looks at sustainability in the wine industry, considering issues like transportation, packaging, and waste. She also pointed out that customers, like the large-meetings segment, are increasingly interested in Caesars’ sustainability initiatives and ways they can integrate environmentally friendly practices into their events. Within the company’s supply chain, Jessica has been working to reduce the carbon footprint by initiating innovative solutions with its partners, including wine suppliers.
Caesars has implemented a number of sustainable business practices around wine purchases. It has reduced transport and packaging materials by replacing bottles for wines sold by the glass with stainless steel wine kegs at all Caesars Palace bars, and recycles corks across various restaurants.
John Paddon, Wine Director at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, remarked on the success of these efforts, “With the draft wine program in 2013 we were able to keep 4,325 bottles from ever needing to be recycled in the Colosseum alone. In a high volume by-the-glass program, it does not make any sense to open a bottle for every five glasses being poured. I would like to thank our friends at Simi Vineyards for being so aggressive in their draft wine programs, which allow us to pour such fantastic Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon for our guests at the Colosseum. World Class performances should have World Class wines.”
At the event, Rosman was joined on the panel by Kaj Johnson from Method Products and Nancy Light of the Wine Institute. Stephanie Gallo, Vice President of Marketing at E&J Gallo Winery, gave the final keynote address of the day. She shared her insights into the latest wine trends and the need to democratize wine consumption for market growth in the United States and abroad.
Jessica was delighted to represent Caesars at the Future of California Wine conference and have the occasion to share the company’s supply chain strategies and accomplishments. She and others involved with sustainability initiatives at Caesars seize opportunities to discuss new ideas with diverse stakeholders. Even so, an audience of wine aficionados was a first for Jessica- but hopefully not a last. Rosman left the event excited about the momentum behind wine sustainability and Caesars’ role in supporting the industry’s evolution.
