Wines of Alentejo has unveiled a 390g wine bottle that is currently being tested for use across the region. 

Developed in collaboration with glass manufacturer Verallia, the Alentejo Lightweight Bottle is available for all producers in the region to adopt free of charge, rather than being designed for a single winery. 

According to Wines of Alentejo, this makes the region the first in Portugal to develop its own collective lightweight bottle. 

Due to launch officially in 2027, the bottle is expected to reduce raw material use, energy consumption and emissions. 

Based on an estimated annual production of 50 million bottles, the lighter design is also expected to lower transport costs and recycling fees paid by producers under Portugal’s Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. 

The project builds on more than a decade of work. First launched in 2015, it now has 727 members backing it, including 30 certified producers. 

Luís Sequeira, president of the Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission, commented: “Sustainability is a strategic commitment for Wines of Alentejo, reflected in a pioneering approach to reducing the environmental impact of the entire value chain, from vine to glass.  

“More than simply a new bottle, the Alentejo Lightweight Bottle is the visible expression of a region that preserves the quality and identity of its wines whilst building a more sustainable future.” 

At the same time, João Barroso, sustainability coordinator of the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme, said: “Eleven years after launching one of Europe’s pioneering regional wine sustainability programmes, Alentejo continues to transform ambition into action.

“The new 390-gram bottle proves that meaningful innovation does not always require radical change. Because being naturally unique has always meant finding new ways to become naturally lighter.”