Climate Talks by Porto Protocol

The Porto Protocol Foundation

Climate Talks by Porto Protocol are a series of digital dialogues on matters relevant to the wine world in a changing climate. From sustainable packaging to the role of nature and technology in building a climate response, different topics have been debated at our virtual roundtable with speakers from different corners of the world, that share their expertise, experience and challenges, thus inspiring those who listen to act further.

  1. 28/05/2025

    Decarbonizing Packaging - Roundtable

    Hosted by Marta Mendonça - The Porto Protocol Join us for a dynamic talk on decarbonizing wine packaging, featuring diverse perspectives from alternative packaging innovators, the glass industry, a reusable bottle scheme, and a retailer. This discussion brings together key stakeholders to explore real solutions and actions driving the wine industry toward a lower-carbon future. Speakers Madalena Moreira - Encirc (UK) Katahrina Kleiner - Weincampus Neustadt (Germany) Ciaram Dickson - Frugal Pack (UK) Marcus Llhe - Systembolaget (Sweden) Who’s who at the talk? Marta Mendonça With nearly two decades in Marketing & Sales, Marta Mendonça has worked across diverse industries, from telecommunications to wine & spirits. In 2016, she founded her own consultancy, promoting sustainability and climate advocacy. Since 2019, she has led The Porto Protocol Foundation, driving global collaboration on climate action in wine. She holds degrees in International Relations, Marketing, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Madalena Moreira A Portuguese oenologist with global experience, Madalena Moreira ensures wine quality at Encirc. Having worked in top wine regions worldwide, she specializes in sensory analysis and bottling precision. Passionate about sustainability, she strives to make the drinks industry more efficient and environmentally responsible. Katahrina Kleiner working with Marc Dressler at Weincampus Neustadt as a research assistant, before I worked in the wine industry with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology and Master of Arts in International Wine Marketing. Ciaram Dickson Ciaran is the Commercial Manager for Machine Systems at Frugalpac, the company behind the innovative paper Frugal Bottle. He is responsible for overseeing the international sales of the Frugal Bottle Assembly Machine, supporting their mission to decarbonise the wine and spirits industry. Marcus Llhe Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the early 1990´s, complemented by post studies in International Marketing and Trade. After university he has been working for various private and public organizations, with focus on sustainability from the start. Among other things he has been involved in research of substitutes to freons, ecolabelling, plastic collection and recycling, development of international sustainability standards like ISO 14001 and ISO 26000. At Systembolaget Marcus focuses on the environmental impact and performance in the supply chain, from the farm level to the shops.

    32 min
  2. 28/05/2025

    Cultivating Sustainability - Roundtable & Tasting

    Hosted by Fran Draper from Fran Draper Consultancy & Porto ProtocolThree winery owners and winemakers will share practical insights on how you intertwine sustainability & profitability, implement a holistic strategy across the business, and overall inspiration to other company leaders of every size.SpeakersAntonio Mendonça - Soalheiro (Portugal)Belinda Jackson - Lawson's Dry Hills (NZ)Miriam Mascarenhas - Herdade dos Grous - (Portugal)Wines to tasteSoalheiro Primeras Vinhas Alvarinho 2023Sauvignon Blanc - Lawson's Dry Hills (NZ)Herdade dos Grous Tinto 2023Who’s who in the talk?Fran DraperUK-based communications consultant specializing in PR, copywriting, and digital marketing. She supports charities, cultural organizations, and creative projects with strategic storytelling and media outreach. With a strong community-focused approach, she helps clients amplify their voice and impact. Fran brings clarity, creativity, and purpose to every communications project she undertakes.Antonio MendonçaBorn in Porto, António Mendonça is an agricultural engineer with extensive experience in the wine sector, from Port to Vinho Verde. Passionate about viticulture, he joined Soalheiro in 2024 and owns a small vineyard.Belinda JacksonBelinda’s passion for wine began in Bordeaux in the 1980s, leading to key sales and marketing roles in the UK and NZ. She has sourced wines globally, managed brands, and developed marketing strategies, also founding two major NZ wine competitions. A published author and former Radio NZ wine commentator, she joined Lawson’s Dry Hills in 2014.Miriam Mascarenhas: Graduated in Chemistry from the University of Évora. She joined the Herdade dos Grous team in 2011, where she currently works as Quality and Sustainability Manager. Being responsible for implementing the Quality and Environmental Management Systems, the Sustainable Production certification from the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program, the National Sustainable Wine growing certification and the ISO 14064 for carbon footprint and GHG emissions inventory.

    48 min
  3. 24/01/2025

    Water Footprint in Wine

    The water footprint (WF) of a product is an indicator of the consumptive use of water resources along its life cycle. Water scarcity is recognized to be a major global challenge. As such, the evaluation of the WF of agro-industrial products is key, as they are widely known as having a significant footprint on water resources.  According to the Water Footprint Network The global average water footprint of grapes is 610 liter/kg. One kilogram of grapes results in 0.7 liter of wine, so the water footprint of wine is APPROXIMATELY 870 liters of water per liter of wine. This means that one glass of wine (125 ml) costs 110 liters (a). Even knowing that the vine has a capacity for survival and resilience to austere climates, as we speak, the increased production of grapes and wine, combined with droughts and climate change, sore than ever, water needs to be used efficiently. Therefore, there is a need to understand where and how we can improve water management in the wine life cycle, reduce it, or even eliminate it.   THE DISCUSSION This Climate Talk addresses this issue and tries to identify the major challenges to the use of water throughout grape and wine production in this warming climate. In this conversation, we will analyze the importance of efficient use of water and explore the best technologies and practices available both in the field and on the wineries. To do so, we will count on different guests from around the world. GUESTS Michele Manelli (Salcheto, Italy) Andrej Razumovsky (Alpamanta, Argentina) Aaron Schreiber-Stainthorp (Jackson Family Wines, USA) HOST João Barroso (WASP - Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme, Portugal)

    1 h 1 min

Información

Climate Talks by Porto Protocol are a series of digital dialogues on matters relevant to the wine world in a changing climate. From sustainable packaging to the role of nature and technology in building a climate response, different topics have been debated at our virtual roundtable with speakers from different corners of the world, that share their expertise, experience and challenges, thus inspiring those who listen to act further.