A recent roundtable hosted by The Wine Society has called for urgent and sustained industry-wide action to address labour rights and human rights challenges within the wine sector. The event sought to initiate a “construction conversation” on the social realities of agriculture, highlighting both systemic problems and emerging best practices designed to improve working conditions across global supply chains.
Speaking at the event, Dom de Ville, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at The Wine Society, acknowledged that the wine industry faces the same labour rights challenges as other sectors but has yet to fully engage in the conversation. “With wine, there is an additional hurdle—we don’t talk about the labour side as much as other sectors do, which can hold back progress,” he said. He pointed out that while environmental concerns have gained visibility—such as bottle weights and solar panel installations—social issues remain underexplored.
“We can’t just expect growers and producers to solve systemic issues,” de Ville added. “Everyone has a role to play in making it work.”
Dr. Peter Stanbury of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, who moderated the discussion, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that although the sector doesn’t yet have all the answers, positive developments are already underway.
Proactive, Not Reactive
Jantine Werdmuller von Elgg, co-CEO of Stronger Together—a non-profit promoting responsible recruitment and fair labour conditions—stressed the need for businesses to move from passive compliance to proactive engagement. Quoting UK minister Jess Phillips, she reminded attendees: “If businesses are not identifying risk in cases, they are probably not looking hard enough.”
Werdmuller acknowledged that many companies find the issue complex or are waiting for regulation before taking action. However, she emphasized that change begins by simply starting—preferably in collaboration with others. She advocated for establishing clear key performance indicators (KPIs), even if beginning with just one, and ensuring that sustainability is integrated across departments, from commercial teams to procurement.
She also stressed the importance of communication tailored to different levels of the supply chain, and the role of local partners in identifying risks. “Only if people are aware of what it means to them, and if we use the right language, can we begin meaningful conversations,” she said. “Continuous improvement is vital, because exploiters will always adapt.”
Key Recommendations and Takeaways
The roundtable concluded with a set of practical takeaways for industry stakeholders:
Strengthen Due Diligence
James Dodson, CEO of Vine Works, noted that few companies verify whether suppliers are licensed or follow ethical practices. “It’s amazing how few people actually do due diligence,” he said.
Embed Ethics in Commercial Decisions
Social impact should be a factor in procurement decisions alongside quality and environmental credentials.
Raise Consumer Awareness
James Macdonald, Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines, emphasized consumer influence. “Retailers will align with initiatives if customers demand it,” he said.
Ask the Right Questions
Laura Falk, a human rights expert at Inherently Human, pointed out the power of procurement inquiries. “A buyer’s question carries much more weight than one from the sustainability team,” she said.
Make Labour Rights a Standing Agenda Item
Anna Turrell, a global sustainability leader, urged businesses to regularly and persistently address labour issues in meetings to maintain focus and pressure for change.
Maximize Existing Site Visits
Werdmuller suggested training those who already conduct site visits to identify and escalate potential labour issues.
Support Ethical Suppliers Financially
Gonzalo Entre Canales, CEO of Entre Canales Domecq, advocated for paying premiums to suppliers exceeding minimum standards and offering support to those working to improve.
Develop a Maturity Curve
Turrell called for a roadmap showing businesses what to do at various stages of engagement and development. “We need to leverage collective learning,” she said.
Foster Open Communication
Transparency about both successes and failures is critical, Turrell added. “Only by talking about what isn’t working can we find real solutions.”
Don’t Rely Solely on Certification
Anne Jones, sustainability advisor to Wine GB, cautioned against viewing certification as a catch-all solution. “Certifications are optional, can increase costs, and don’t cover everyone,” she warned, urging full supply chain collaboration instead.
The discussion marked a clear call to action: meaningful improvement in labour standards across the wine industry requires a united, informed, and proactive approach.
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