Climate change reshapes global drinks industry from vineyards to breweries and distilleries

Climate change is increasingly affecting the global drinks industry, with producers across wine, beer, spirits, and sake facing new challenges that impact every stage of production. Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and extreme climate events are forcing companies to rethink how and where they operate. From vineyards to distilleries, the effects are being felt in both traditional and emerging regions.

In the wine sector, rising temperatures are changing the geography of grape cultivation. Countries in northern Europe, such as the UK and parts of Scandinavia, are seeing increased interest in viticulture as their climates become more suitable for grape growing. Meanwhile, established wine regions like Bordeaux, Napa Valley, and Tuscany are dealing with heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires that threaten crop yields and quality. Producers are responding by moving vineyards to higher altitudes, experimenting with heat-resistant grape varieties, and adjusting harvest times to cope with earlier ripening.

The beer industry is also under pressure. Barley yields are becoming less predictable due to erratic rainfall and rising temperatures. Water scarcity is another major concern for breweries that rely heavily on clean water for production. In the spirits sector, distillers are facing similar issues with raw material availability and energy use during production. Sake producers in Japan have reported changes in rice quality due to warmer growing seasons.

To address these challenges and promote collaboration across the industry, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced a new three-part webinar series titled “From Soil to Glass – Climate Action in the Global Drinks Industry.” The series is being developed in partnership with sustainability consultancy The Vine Strategy Group and will be chaired by Michelle Bouffard DipWSET, founder of Tasting Climate Change.

The webinars aim to bring together professionals from across the drinks sector to discuss climate-related issues and share solutions. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Laura Catena of the Catena Institute of Wine in Argentina; David Paterson from Tantalus Vineyards in British Columbia; Stephanie Jordan of Avallen Spirits in the Netherlands; Ed Massey from New Zealand Winegrowers; António Graça from Sogrape Wine Academy in Portugal; Mark Chapman of Zero Carbon Forum; Matt McGinness from Constellation Brands; and WSET CEO Michelle Brampton.

The first session will take place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 5 p.m. GMT. It will focus on how climate change is affecting raw material production, supply chains, and consumer behavior. The second session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 5 p.m. BST and will explore sustainable land use and soil health through regenerative agriculture practices. The final session will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. BST and will look at innovations in packaging, logistics, and production aimed at reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain.

All sessions will be conducted live via Zoom and later made available on WSET’s Global Events Hub on YouTube. Participation is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about sustainability efforts within the drinks industry.

Michelle Brampton emphasized WSET’s commitment to using its global platform to support positive change: “Climate change is a defining challenge—impacting everyone in the supply chain. As an industry, we need to work together to remain resilient and embrace innovation.”

Michelle Bouffard added that while climate change presents serious risks, it also offers an opportunity for greater collaboration: “The climate crisis presents a chance to strengthen collaboration within the wine and spirits industry.”

Tom Owtram of The Vine Strategy Group highlighted the importance of shared knowledge: “This series is a valuable opportunity to bring together experts from across the drinks industry to exchange ideas and explore practical responses to climate change.”

Ed Massey from New Zealand Winegrowers noted that climate change will shape everything from grape selection to consumer preferences: “Our response is critical to maintaining our reputation as a producer of high-value, sustainable wine.”

Registration for all three sessions is now open through WSET’s official website under the Events section.