As our Christmas party packages launched earlier this week, sustainability continues to sit at the heart of how we plan festive events at Headingley Stadium. From menus and décor to how we source our drinks, we believe celebrations should feel indulgent while still being responsibly delivered. That includes the wines poured at our Christmas parties, chosen not just for quality and flavour, but for the values behind how they’re produced.
At Headingley Stadium, sustainability is woven into every aspect of how we deliver events – from energy and waste reduction to the choices we make with our food and drink. Wine is no exception.
The wines poured at our conferences, dinners, weddings and matchday hospitality come from producers who share our commitment to responsible practices, environmental stewardship and ethical production. Sourced through our primary alcohol supplier Carlsberg Britvic, our wine list features trusted producers Ponte 1948, Balfour Winery, and DGB, whose sustainable credentials are firmly embedded in how they grow grapes, make wine and support people and the planet.
Ponte 1948: Certified Sustainability Rooted in Biodiversity
Ponte 1948, suppliers of our Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Grigio Rosé, have formally achieved EQUALITAS sustainability certification, a globally recognised standard that assesses environmental, social and economic responsibility across the entire production process. Their approach to sustainability follows three core pillars:
- Environmental responsibility, including the reduction of carbon and water footprints and increasing the use of renewable energy, particularly large-scale photovoltaic systems
- Social responsibility, committing to fair working conditions, respect for human rights and the wellbeing of vineyard and cellar teams
- Economic sustainability, ensuring long-term stability for growers and local communities
Ponte 1948 also places growing emphasis on organic viticulture and biodiversity, recognising sustainability as a continuous process rather than a fixed endpoint.
Their certified management system reflects alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and promotes responsible resource use throughout the vineyard and winery.
These practices underpin the crisp, vibrant wines enjoyed at Headingley, offering guests quality wines produced with a lighter environmental footprint.
Balfour Winery: English Wines with Sustainability at Their Core
Balfour Winery, whose sparkling wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir feature on our wine list, is a founding member of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) – the UK’s leading certification scheme focused on embedding sustainability across viticulture and winemaking.
Their sustainability measures span both vineyard and winery operations, including:
- Improving soil health and reducing pesticide use through careful vineyard management
- Energy and water conservation within the winery, alongside active carbon footprint reduction initiatives
- Long-term biodiversity conservation across the Hush Heath Estate, which includes wildflower meadows, ancient woodland and carefully managed vineyards
Balfour also partners with Ocean Co. to tackle plastic pollution, funding the collection of ocean-bound plastic while supporting community livelihoods through a zero-waste-to-landfill approach for recovered materials.
Their commitment demonstrates how premium English wine production can go hand in hand with environmental care and responsible innovation.
DGB & Millstream: Longstanding Ethical Wine Production
Our Millstream house wine range, supplied by DGB, has been a trusted fixture at Headingley for many years. DGB states that 100% of its wines are produced sustainably and ethically, supported by independent certifications and compliance with Fairtrade and certified fair labour practices.
Key sustainability initiatives highlighted by DGB include:
- Sourcing 40% of energy from solar power, supported by the largest solar installation of any wine facility in South Africa
- Significant water conservation, using substantially less water per litre of wine than the South African industry average
- Producing lighter-weight bottles containing recycled glass, reducing emissions linked to packaging and transport
- Planting bamboo to offset carbon emissions, alongside rainwater capture and reuse across production facilities
DGB also places strong emphasis on community impact, investing in education, skills development and social upliftment programmes in the areas where they operate.
Pouring with Purpose at Headingley Stadium
By partnering with wine producers who prioritise sustainability, Headingley Stadium Events can confidently offer wines that align with our environmental values without compromising on quality or guest experience.
Whether it’s a glass of Prosecco at a conference reception, English sparkling at a celebratory dinner or our Millstream house wines served throughout the year, every pour reflects conscious choices and responsible sourcing.
As we continue our journey towards even higher sustainability standards, these partnerships play a vital role in supporting ethical supply chains and creating events people can enjoy with confidence.