Why The Hidden Sea Claims Its Wine 'Saves The Sea'
There are countless reasons why we drink wine, from a purely sensory experience to relaxation, and let's not forget, to celebrate. Amidst these moments to imbibe, we don't always stop to think about the ecological effects of our consumption. While recycling a glass bottle is easy, most customers don't follow through to see what happens beyond this basic action.
The Hidden Sea is a premium wine brand designed for environmentally-conscious consumers, producing wine made with grapes grown in vineyards along South Australia's Limestone Coast. This distant region of the world is significant to the winery's founders, Justin Moran and Richie Vanderberg, who understand the necessity of keeping such places pristine: "Our simple belief is that we need to protect what remains," Moran comments. While he concedes that the issue of plastic pollution will not be resolved by a single individual, the founders believe that "we have the ability to make a tangible impact on the ocean."
The location of the vineyards on Australia's Limestone Coast, as Moran explains, "was once covered by a vast ocean and home to a thriving marine ecosystem." While the ocean has long since dried out, mineralized remains are present in the soils where the vines grow, a nudge to the cyclical nature of life. As Moran shares about the genesis of the project, "Great tasting wine and our ocean" are his and Vanderberg's greatest passions.
What is being done to clean waterways?
Although wine bottles aren't the usual culprits, The Hidden Sea founders have aimed to eliminate one billion sea-polluting bottles by 2030. To achieve this impressive feat, the founders decided that the company would dispose of 10 plastic bottles per bottle of wine sold. By having plastic waste removed from the seas, the influence of the brand is palpable.
With such a noble goal, you can bet it hasn't always been smooth sailing. Moran notes that in an aim to constantly improve on sustainability metrics and methods from the vineyard to the bottle, issues continuously arise. Nonetheless, the founders take a realistic approach which Moran outlines: "We do have a simple philosophy: Let's not focus on what we can't do, let's focus on what we can do."
If you're curious about the impact your purchase has in the grander scheme, consider that since July 2020, the brand has appropriately tossed out more than 16 million plastic bottles. Working in partnership with the ReSea Project, The Hidden Sea stands accountable to its promise and provides an outlet for consumers to see the outcome in real-time with full transparency.
The wine's introduction to the U.S. market is recent, and Moran shares, "We're excited to invite socially-conscious wine lovers in the U.S. to join us as we sip our way to a better tomorrow." Indeed, as its motto affirms, "We are not creating another drinking moment. We are creating a movement."
What other sustainability efforts are being championed by the winery?
Beyond cleaning oceans, the winery prioritizes environmentally-conscious practices, such as using solar power, recycling wastewater, working towards carbon neutrality, composting, bottling with primarily recyclable materials, and other measures per the Sustainable Winegrowing of Australia guidelines. Additionally, Moran asserts that 90% of vineyard sprays are organic, and the company is developing new methods to quickly approach 100%.
Pick up a bottle of rosé or chardonnay for a picnic, and you're doing the world's oceans a favor. Looking for something to pair with a seafood feast? Sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio is the answer. Need a crowd-pleasing bottle of red to bring to your next dinner party? The Hidden Sea's red blend, shiraz, or pinot noir are obvious winners. You'll undoubtedly make a statement if you show up with a bottle of wine that is saving the seas.
Next time you're standing in front of the large wall of wine at your local supermarket or liquor store, consider skipping the usual suspects and trying a bottle by The Hidden Sea. If it isn't yet available where you live, keep an eye on the company's website to see updated release locations.