CROXSONS has collaborated with glass manufacturer Encirc to oversee the first production run of Sovereign, which is described as the UK’s first British-made sparkling wine bottle.
The amber bottle has been developed for the English and Welsh sparkling wine industry, marking a milestone for producers seeking a domestic alternative to imported glass packaging.
Close to one million bottles were produced during the first production run of Sovereign at Encirc’s Cheshire facility.
Until now, producers have largely relied on imported bottles from Europe. Sovereign has been developed to offer a domestic alternative that strengthens supply chain resilience, improves availability, and reduces reliance on overseas imports and potential border delays.
The UK is said to now boast more than 1,000 vineyards and over 200 wineries. As sparkling wine remains the dominant category, demand for specialist bottles has grown.
Tim Croxson, CEO of Croxsons, said, “”For many years, English and Welsh wine producers have built world-class sparkling wines using bottles sourced from overseas. Sovereign changes that. After almost two years of collaboration to bring the concept to life, this first production run represents the culmination of a huge collective effort. As the industry continues to evolve and strengthen its international reputation for quality, we believe it is important that the supply chain evolves with it.
“This is about giving producers greater choice and creating a bottle that reflects the ambitions of the sector. We believe producers should have access to a bottle that is designed, produced and supplied closer to home.”
The glass is heated to temperatures of up to 1,200°C before being moulded into bottles. Its distinctive amber colour is achieved through a blend of materials, including iron, carbon and manganese, providing up to 99% protection from UV light, which is said to help better preserve product quality compared with traditional flint and green glass alternatives. The colour also gives English and Welsh sparkling wine a distinctive visual identity.
Nicola Bates, WineGB CEO, added, “The launch of the Sovereign Bottle marks a defining moment for the sector, as its unmistakable colouring will give producers a powerful visual identity. If many adopt the bottle, it has the potential to help our category stand out on the shelf and gives English and Welsh wine instant recognisability, such as with a Riesling bottle. The Sovereign Bottle signals confidence, heritage and gives the category the presence that it deserves.”
Sustainability has been a key consideration. As well as being manufactured using 49% post-consumer recycled glass, by reducing reliance on imported bottles and bringing production closer to home, Sovereign has the potential to significantly reduce transport distances.
The bottle is already being adopted by producers including Three Choirs and Ridgeview.
