Sustainability has become a core focus across every industry sector lately, but, as lovers of the traditional, the wine and spirit industries are behind the curve on implementing sustainable glass packaging. According to the IWSR, 48% of American alcohol drinkers say that a company’s sustainability or environmental initiatives positively influences their purchasing decisions. Furthermore, according to a report by the global decision intelligence company, Morning Consult, 7 in 10 American adults would consider purchasing from a food and beverage brand that prioritizes sustainability, the highest share across all industries. In the face of ongoing environmental concerns, a growing number of media stories have cited the need for our industry to find a more sustainable package solution. And the call is validated by consumer demands. We are seeing the emergence of a new category of wine consumer: the environmentally-conscious consumer, who is choosing wines and spirits based on the s

As the relationship between climate change and extreme weather events continues to intensify, scientists have found that mountainous regions are warming far faster than the global average. This phenomenon—known as elevation-dependent warming (EDW)—is disrupting ecosystems, water supplies, and weather patterns—and sharply increasing periglacial hazards and high-altitude natural disasters. Join our free 60-minute HOBO Thought Leader webinar to learn how meteorological monitoring is key to understanding and addressing these changes.  Presented by climate monitoring experts Mikheil Elashvili, PhD (Ilia State University & Bridgewater State University), and Robert Hellström, PhD (Bridgewater State University), this session explores two case studies addressing similar research questions on opposite sides of the Earth: the Greater Caucasus, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and the Cordillera Blanca, part of the Andes range in South America. Webinar topics i

From Midnight Mocktails to Croatian Coasts: The Top Travel Trends Stealing Wine Country's Thunder As travelers eagerly plan their next getaways, the tourism landscape is shifting—fast. Driven by changing values, advancing tech, and global events, how we explore the world in 2025 looks very different than it did just a few years ago. From AI-crafted itineraries to wellness retreats designed around your sleep cycle, travel today is more curated, personal, and purpose-driven than ever. But while adventurers chase hot springs in Iceland and food tours in Tokyo, one classic destination is quietly slipping from the spotlight: wine country. Once a top choice for weekend getaways and special occasions, winery visits are on the decline. And for the wine industry, that’s more than just a hospitality hiccup—it’s a missed opportunity to turn curious sippers into lifelong fans. Understanding this season’s top travel trends isn’t just about keeping up. It&rsq

Study after study has proved that consumers prefer glass over other packaging materials for several reasons: Because it is aesthetically pleasing, is virtually inert and doesn’t interact with the food or beverage it holds, and because it is recyclable. Global Package has a long tradition of promoting glass in the wine and spirits industries for these very reasons. Our latest collection of Wild Glass, produced by Estal Packaging, is 100% sustainable “real cycled” and boasts a production process that is both efficient and ecologically sustainable. It utilizes only post-consumer recycled glass collected from municipalities and its production method uses lower fuel consumption, resulting in a reduction of CO2 as well as less extraction of virgin material. Importantly, glass addresses the sustainability issue that today’s consumers are demanding. According to an article in Chemical & Engineering News: “Glass can be recycled endlessly by crushing, blending

Afternoon Brief: Wine Industry Network Recognizes 5 Companies with 2024 WINnovation Awards

The winners of Wine Industry Networks 12th annual WINnovation Awards for excellence in wine industry innovation are...

Afternoon Brief: Neil Empson, Pioneer of Fine Italian Wine in the US Market, Dies at 85

The EMPSON Companies announce the passing of their beloved Chairman and Co-Founder, Neil Trevanion Howard Empson, on Saturday, September 14, 2024. He was 85 years old...

Busy start to the year with machines at different stages of their build. Some coming to completion, some going through customer testing and some ready to ship. Exciting times!

Afternoon Brief, March 13th

Silicon Valley Bank Closure Leaves Wine Industry Clients in the Weeds: There may not be quick answers to the biggest questions facing the wine industry after Silicon Valley Bank collapsed on Friday — including the future of the bank’s landmark wine industry report...