Mallard Point

•       Mallard Point, a pioneering independent distillery and vineyard based in Rutland, is taking on the daunting challenge of making the cork extinct and erasing the environmental impact of glass bottles – all while keeping the fizz and fun for customers. 
•       Millions of corks end up and disposable stoppers in landfill every year with few waste collection plants able to recycle them. Natural corks have extremely slow degradation, synthetic corks are unable to break down, not to mention the screw tops and bottle caps.  
•       Every new glass bottle means the use of valuable resources used to manufacture or recycle it plus making another cork or cap to fit it. 
•       One small family-run producer based in Rutland is leading the charge with their innovative business model. Showing the industry heavyweights how it’s done. 
•       To find out more about Mallard Point’s alternative to the cork visit and wider sustainability mission visit https://mallardpoint.co.uk/pages/sustainability  

A new British vineyard based in Rutland is calling on the alcohol industry to support its call to make the cork extinct. 

Mallard Point, founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife duo Andy and Fi Beamish have set their sights on not only producing delectable spirits and wines, but have also created a radical alternative to the traditional cork. Their solution is the swing-top, enabling the alcohol industry for the first time to be able to offer customers the opportunity to re-seal their sparkling and still wine keeping the drink fresh for up to four days. 

“More than keeping bubbles fresh for longer, our swing-top eliminates the need for environmentally harmful corks that take years to biodegrade, with millions ending up in landfill each year” say Andy and Fi Beamish, founders of Mallard Point. “Our mission is clear, to simply produce less. And we want others to join us and to share details of our patented technology rights free to our peers, making our entire industry truly sustainable.”

MALLARD POINT’S PIONEERING APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY

The vineyard’s commitment to sustainability is not just a greenwashing buzzword, but a way of life. By embracing four key pillars, they are setting about revolutionising the industry:

1  Swing Top Cap: Mallard Point has introduced swing top caps, eliminating the need for environmentally harmful corks that take years to biodegrade and often end up in landfill. Enabling the all-important fizz and satisfying ‘pop’ to remain part of the experience, as well as keeping your bubbles bubbling for longer. 

2  Aluminium Bottles: The winery and distillery's super lightweight durable aluminium bottles not only reduce carbon emissions during production but can also be returned to Mallard Point using their hassle-free, pre-paid return packaging, eliminating the need for recycling and further reducing the carbon footprint. An astonishing 28bn glass bottles find their way into landfill every year with only 50% ever being recycled. 

3  Cardboard Packaging: Mallard Point's commitment to sustainability extends to their packaging, which is made to fit with no voids and need for air sacs or padding. It is also made from recycled cardboard and uses eco inks, eliminating unnecessary waste and reducing environmental impact. Coming with a pre-paid return label, it couldn’t be easier to return the bottles. The packaging is also designed to be reused and then turned into compost for use on the vineyard at the end of its life.  

4  Reuse, NOT Recycle Ethos: By embracing a reuse philosophy, Mallard Point cleans, sterilizes, and reuses the returned aluminium bottles, significantly reducing their carbon footprint and promoting a circular economy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reusing products is far more beneficial than recycling, as it saves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizes the consumption of resources.

"Sustainability is not just a trend for us; it's a responsibility we take very seriously," says Andy and Fi Beamish, founders of Mallard Point. "We recognize that every product we produce has a detrimental impact on the environment. Our goal is to have as little impact as possible and make real change, rather than engaging in mere greenwashing. That's why we have implemented innovative solutions like swing top aluminium bottles and embraced a reuse ethos. We believe in setting an example for the industry by prioritizing sustainability at every step of our production process while never comprising quality and taste.”

By championing these transformative practices, Mallard Point is revolutionising the alcohol industry and proving that enjoying high-quality wines and spirits can go hand in hand with preserving the environment. They are setting an inspiring example for the entire industry, encouraging consumers and fellow distilleries and wineries to embrace sustainable alternatives and make a difference—one swing top at a time. 

Sustainability is deeply ingrained in every aspect of Mallard Point's operations. Their winery and distillery are powered by green renewable energy, while their spirits are blended with natural mineral water sourced from the aquifer beneath the distillery. In their mission to leave minimal impact on our planet, Mallard Point has also eliminated throwaway items like leaflets, limited edition labels or products, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to sustainability.

Mallard Point proudly offers a range of high-quality gins and wines, carefully crafted from grape to bottle, ensuring a taste that brings joy with minimal impact on our planet. 

Mallard Point's gins are available now online with wines launching in mid-June 2023. For more information, visit mallardpoint.co.uk. 

-ENDS- 

About Mallard Point

Mallard Point is a family-run Single Estate Vineyard and Distillery located in Essendine, Rutland, forever linked with the record-breaking Mallard Steam Train. We planted our first vines in 2019, with further plantings in 2022 and again in 2023, and make regional terroir specific wines that are closely aligned with the premium spirits from our distillery. 

From field to glass, we approach our craft conscientiously and sustainably. All our drinks are made in small batches with minimal intervention, to respect the natural flavours. We keep all production in-house to maintain the highest standards of quality control and reduce our carbon footprint.