Winners announced for the inaugural Asia Green Awards
Last week at a packed ceremony in Hong Kong we revealed the winners of the first ever Asia Green Awards, praising wine and spirits businesses spanning China to Champagne and Chile to South Africa. The post Winners announced for the inaugural Asia Green Awards appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Last week at a packed ceremony in Hong Kong we revealed the winners of the first ever Asia Green Awards, praising wine and spirits businesses spanning China to Champagne and Chile to South Africa.
Having launched The Drinks Business Green Awards in 2010, the Asia Green Awards, focusing on companies which operate in Asian markets, launched this year for the first time.
Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business, kicked off the ceremony for what is still the only set of industry gongs for all that is eco-friendly and alcoholic.
"What’s the environmental paradigm we find ourselves in?" he asked a packed room of industry professionals at ProWine Hong Kong on Wednesday (14 May). "I have a feeling that what used to be a bit of a bottom-up approach has now become top down. In other words, being organic, or green, used to be a bit low-end, niche and eccentric. Now it's luxury, sometimes large scale and essential, with many drivers for change coming from high-end businesses – those with profits to invest, and celebrity connections for promotion."
Josh Gu, project director of ProWine Hong Kong, was also present to introduce the inaugural awards on Wednesday.
"On behalf of ProWine, I’d like to welcome all of you here for the tasting of excellent business and, of course, for the Asia debut of The Drinks Business Green Awards," Gu told the room of attendees.
ProWine Hong Kong has partnered with the drinks business Asia to make these awards happen, and Gu welcomed the celebration of sustainability as a key part of this year's exhibition.
"More than a trade fair, ProWine is also a platform that connects industry professionals and drives positive change," he said. "The Drinks Business Green Awards honour 15 years of success in the UK, and we are very pleased to be the host of its Asia debut here at ProWine Hong Kong. Together we celebrate the best sustainable practices across the entire value chain, for a greener, cleaner, and better future of our business industry."
Schmitt asserted that being green isn't just about ticking boxes; it "clearly adds value to a company or a product".
"Indeed, if you consider what is the definition of a brand, it’s something distinctive, something with a competitive edge, and today, that means something with an environmental bent," he said.
"Essentially, I don’t think you can be a credible and therefore valuable product today without a sustainable aspect to your operations. And we need successful eco-friendly brands, because that allows their owners to re-invest in the sort of experimentalism needed to green our business. So, with that said, let’s look at some of the leaders, picked out by our expert panel of judges, bringing the following winners powerful and independent recognition."
Read on to find out about the winners of the Asia Green Awards 2025.
With increasing focus being put on carbon footprints and emissions, drinks companies’ logistics and supply chain operations are under pressure to manage their environmental impact. The judges were particularly impressed by Rémy Cointreau Shanghai’s 360 approach to reducing emissions. The company aims to halve its carbon emissions per bottle by 2030 and reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, and had a “results-focused” approach to tackling emissions. The company’s efforts to ban both packaging and air freight and use of electric trucks thoroughly impressed the judging panel, who praised Remy Cointreau for “shifting the game in China”.
Commendation: Hillebrand Gori
The judges wanted to recognise German-based company Hillebrand Gori for a “very laudable”, client-focused approach to going greener. They praised the logistics firm’s commitment to tracking emissions worldwide and foregrounding transparency when it comes to emissions.
Telmont is on the front line of innovation when it comes to packaging, particularly among Champagne producers, which can sometimes be criticised for “dragging their heels in the sustainability department”. The judges praised the maison’s dedication to reduce bottle weight and scrap gift packaging as a “great initiative”, arguing that this “should become the status quo” for sparkling wine producers around the world.
Standing on what is now a recognised UNESCO heritage site, CWC successfully approached the HK Government with Hong Kong’s first public private heritage preservation project. Building on its sustainable foundations, CWC is committed to implementing renewable energy sources, employing a fleet of highly insulated EV delivery vehicles and constructing a 175KW solar panel field to off-set its energy usage, all in the last 12 months.
This B Corp certified Chilean winery wowed the judges with its approach to preserving native forests, use of renewable energy, water conservation, regenerative viticulture and community initiatives. It’s “complete sustainable approach” meant Vina Montes “ticked all the boxes”. Its entry for the Sustainability award highlighted the wine producer’s attitude to “think holistically as much as possible”, and the judging panel praised its efforts, which they felt come from “a fruitful, authentic place”.
Commendation: Spier Wine Farm
The judges praised this South African producer for its commitment to community as well as the local environment. Not only has Spier completed three years with zero waste to landfill, but the winery is also dedicated to the professional development of employees working in the winery and the betterment of its local people.
Shortlist:
Breaking ground as the first Chinese sparkling winery to be certified organic in 2024, Chandon China certainly fulfilled the brief for Green Company of the Year. Based in Shangai, French house Moet & Chandon’s Chinese business hasn’t stopped there, having achieved 100% wastewater recovery and reuse to irrigate plants on its property; recycling grape pomace and pruned vine branches back into the fields; and achieving 100% green waste recycling.
The award for Green Personality of the Year is designed to honour an individual who has excelled in recent years in furthering environmental and social causes within the industry. Greg De’eb, principal of Hong Kong’s Crown Wine Cellars, has certainly done just this. De’eb spearheads the many sustainable initiatives at CWC, benefiting the company, his students and the wider Hong Kong community in what the judges recognised as a “holistic” approach. It was clear to the judges that De’eb has “put in a lot of hard yards throughout the years”; all the more reason to honour him with this award.
A big thank you to our fantastic panel of judges, chaired by the drinks business Asia editor Eloise Feilden, and our sponsors for this year's awards ceremony — Riedel and ProWine Hong Kong.
Find a full report of the Asia Green Awards in the upcoming June/July issue of the drinks business Asia.
Having launched The Drinks Business Green Awards in 2010, the Asia Green Awards, focusing on companies which operate in Asian markets, launched this year for the first time.
Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business, kicked off the ceremony for what is still the only set of industry gongs for all that is eco-friendly and alcoholic.
"What’s the environmental paradigm we find ourselves in?" he asked a packed room of industry professionals at ProWine Hong Kong on Wednesday (14 May). "I have a feeling that what used to be a bit of a bottom-up approach has now become top down. In other words, being organic, or green, used to be a bit low-end, niche and eccentric. Now it's luxury, sometimes large scale and essential, with many drivers for change coming from high-end businesses – those with profits to invest, and celebrity connections for promotion."
Josh Gu, project director of ProWine Hong Kong, was also present to introduce the inaugural awards on Wednesday.
"On behalf of ProWine, I’d like to welcome all of you here for the tasting of excellent business and, of course, for the Asia debut of The Drinks Business Green Awards," Gu told the room of attendees.
ProWine Hong Kong has partnered with the drinks business Asia to make these awards happen, and Gu welcomed the celebration of sustainability as a key part of this year's exhibition.
"More than a trade fair, ProWine is also a platform that connects industry professionals and drives positive change," he said. "The Drinks Business Green Awards honour 15 years of success in the UK, and we are very pleased to be the host of its Asia debut here at ProWine Hong Kong. Together we celebrate the best sustainable practices across the entire value chain, for a greener, cleaner, and better future of our business industry."
Schmitt asserted that being green isn't just about ticking boxes; it "clearly adds value to a company or a product".
"Indeed, if you consider what is the definition of a brand, it’s something distinctive, something with a competitive edge, and today, that means something with an environmental bent," he said.
"Essentially, I don’t think you can be a credible and therefore valuable product today without a sustainable aspect to your operations. And we need successful eco-friendly brands, because that allows their owners to re-invest in the sort of experimentalism needed to green our business. So, with that said, let’s look at some of the leaders, picked out by our expert panel of judges, bringing the following winners powerful and independent recognition."
Read on to find out about the winners of the Asia Green Awards 2025.
Logistics and Supply Chain
Winner: Rémy Cointreau Shanghai
With increasing focus being put on carbon footprints and emissions, drinks companies’ logistics and supply chain operations are under pressure to manage their environmental impact. The judges were particularly impressed by Rémy Cointreau Shanghai’s 360 approach to reducing emissions. The company aims to halve its carbon emissions per bottle by 2030 and reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, and had a “results-focused” approach to tackling emissions. The company’s efforts to ban both packaging and air freight and use of electric trucks thoroughly impressed the judging panel, who praised Remy Cointreau for “shifting the game in China”.
Commendation: Hillebrand Gori
The judges wanted to recognise German-based company Hillebrand Gori for a “very laudable”, client-focused approach to going greener. They praised the logistics firm’s commitment to tracking emissions worldwide and foregrounding transparency when it comes to emissions.
Green Packaging of the Year
Winner: Champagne Telmont
Telmont is on the front line of innovation when it comes to packaging, particularly among Champagne producers, which can sometimes be criticised for “dragging their heels in the sustainability department”. The judges praised the maison’s dedication to reduce bottle weight and scrap gift packaging as a “great initiative”, arguing that this “should become the status quo” for sparkling wine producers around the world.
Renewable Energy Implementation Award
Winner: Crown Wine Cellars
Standing on what is now a recognised UNESCO heritage site, CWC successfully approached the HK Government with Hong Kong’s first public private heritage preservation project. Building on its sustainable foundations, CWC is committed to implementing renewable energy sources, employing a fleet of highly insulated EV delivery vehicles and constructing a 175KW solar panel field to off-set its energy usage, all in the last 12 months.
Sustainability Award
Winner: Viña Montes
This B Corp certified Chilean winery wowed the judges with its approach to preserving native forests, use of renewable energy, water conservation, regenerative viticulture and community initiatives. It’s “complete sustainable approach” meant Vina Montes “ticked all the boxes”. Its entry for the Sustainability award highlighted the wine producer’s attitude to “think holistically as much as possible”, and the judging panel praised its efforts, which they felt come from “a fruitful, authentic place”.
Commendation: Spier Wine Farm
The judges praised this South African producer for its commitment to community as well as the local environment. Not only has Spier completed three years with zero waste to landfill, but the winery is also dedicated to the professional development of employees working in the winery and the betterment of its local people.
Shortlist:
- Viña Montes
- Canaan Winery
- Spier Wine Farm
Ethical Award
Winner: Spier Wine Farm Our judges were keen to award this South African wine producer for its “really impressive” approach to food security, community outreach and environmental sustainability. “Ethical through and through”, the judges felt the care and compassion that the Spier team has for the people who work for and live around the winery was worthy of high praise, noting that it feels like “a whole community project”, as well as a business.Green Company of the Year
Winner: Domaine Chandon China
Breaking ground as the first Chinese sparkling winery to be certified organic in 2024, Chandon China certainly fulfilled the brief for Green Company of the Year. Based in Shangai, French house Moet & Chandon’s Chinese business hasn’t stopped there, having achieved 100% wastewater recovery and reuse to irrigate plants on its property; recycling grape pomace and pruned vine branches back into the fields; and achieving 100% green waste recycling.
Green Personality of the Year
Winner: Gregory De‘Eb
The award for Green Personality of the Year is designed to honour an individual who has excelled in recent years in furthering environmental and social causes within the industry. Greg De’eb, principal of Hong Kong’s Crown Wine Cellars, has certainly done just this. De’eb spearheads the many sustainable initiatives at CWC, benefiting the company, his students and the wider Hong Kong community in what the judges recognised as a “holistic” approach. It was clear to the judges that De’eb has “put in a lot of hard yards throughout the years”; all the more reason to honour him with this award.
A big thank you to our fantastic panel of judges, chaired by the drinks business Asia editor Eloise Feilden, and our sponsors for this year's awards ceremony — Riedel and ProWine Hong Kong.
Find a full report of the Asia Green Awards in the upcoming June/July issue of the drinks business Asia. 
