The Irish–based company Fair Wind Wine – the only company to ship wines to Ireland in a sustainable eco-friendly way – is riding the crest of a wave and is now celebrating one year in business. The eco-friendly company was set up in June 2008 and supplies wines to Irish customers through over 50 off-licenses including O’Briens Group and distribution through Gilbeys. The wine company has proven that being green is no passing trend and that there is a clear customer demand for eco-friendly wines with the company currently adding more retailers to their network as interest in the planet-friendly philosophy of the company gathers momentum.
Above: The wine schooner Kathleen & May at the Docklands Maritime Festival
Fair Wind Wind is shipped to Ireland on sail-ships producing 77% fewer carbon emissions than conventional sea transportation by utilising ‘green’ sustainable wind energy. The Fair Wind Wine bottles can be identified easily in wine shops with their distinctive round gold label and the mesaage “carried by sailing ship, a better deal for the planet”.
Above: Festival goes on the deck of the Kathleen & May
Fair Wind Wine’s first cargo of sail-transported wine arrived in Ireland last July followed by a further shipment earlier this year. This latest consignment is the largest to date and will be used to fulfil orders from a range of new wine shops who have requested to stock the wines following customer demand.
Frederic Albert, founder and CEO of Fair Wind Wine said, “We are delighted to celebrate our first birthday at the Docklands Maritime Feastival. Fair Wind Wine got a huge reaction last summer from Irish-wine lovers who enjoyed our stunning variety of Southern French wines and loved our green credentials and philosphy – at no extra cos to them. This return to sail is not merely a romantic notion but a business concept that addresses our over-dependency on fossil fuels, When people buy Fair Wind Wine they are saying Stop! We want something better for the future.’”