Packaging of the Month December 2025: Pinot Blanc from the Achkarren Winegrowers’ Cooperative – the first German wine in a paper bottle

While many other countries around the world are seeing more and more alternative wine packaging options to traditional glass bottles coming onto the market, the DACH countries have been very cautious in this regard. But now, the Achkarren winegrowers’ cooperative in Baden has launched the first German wine in a paper bottle. We find the result so successful that we are naming it Packaging of the Month for December 2025.

Background to the development of alternative wine packaging

Studies show that the energy used to manufacture glass and transport filled wine bottles accounts for an estimated 40 percent of the carbon footprint within the wine industry. The latter accounts for almost half of the total glass production, which is known to be very energy-intensive. In order to promote a more sustainable wine trade, it is therefore imperative to develop alternative packaging solutions for this popular alcoholic beverage. The packaging should be lighter in weight and as simple and fully recyclable as possible.

In Scandinavian countries, the UK, and Canada in particular, wines in packaging other than glass bottles have been an integral part of the product range for several years. France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and the US are also increasingly bringing alternative packaging to the market. In contrast, most retailers in Italy and the Netherlands, and especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, still stick to glass bottles, which in turn prevents wine producers from packaging their products in alternative ways. Without sufficient demand, it stands to reason that no one wants to invest in new bottling plants and suppliers.

Sometimes, however, all it takes is one successful pioneer to initially persuade retailers to rethink their approach and subsequently motivate producers to introduce lighter and more environmentally friendly wine containers. In Germany, the Achkarren winegrowers’ cooperative is now taking on the role of pioneer.

Dry Pinot Blanc in an innovative paper bottle

In August 2025, the Kaiserstuhl winegrowers’ cooperative in Baden launched its first German wine – specifically a dry Pinot Blanc – in a cardboard bottle with its long-standing distribution partner Rossmann. Since then, the innovatively packaged quality wine has been available in more than 2,200 branches of the drugstore chain.

The packaging uses the bag-in-box principle. It consists of an inner plastic bag and an outer paper sleeve. The latter is made of 94 percent recycled cardboard. According to Rossmann, the packaging weighs only 82 grams, making it on average about five times lighter than a traditional glass bottle, which usually weighs between 350 and 800 grams.

Compared to glass bottles, the bag-in-box solution saves around 84 percent of CO2 emissions. In addition, the packaging impresses with its ease of handling and high break resistance. After enjoying the wine, consumers can dispose of the primary and secondary packaging—i.e., the plastic bag and paper sleeve—separately in the yellow bin and the waste paper container, so that the materials used can be returned to the recycling cycle.

The Pinot Blanc in the paper bottle is not only modern in terms of material choice, but also visually striking. With its colorful, often abstract illustrations, the wine stands out on the shelf and has the potential to appeal to different target groups. Despite the large number of printed elements, the design is well structured and organized in such a way that the wine variety and brand name are clearly recognizable.

Conclusion: Bold and sustainable – the first bag-in-box solution for German wine

With their Pinot Blanc in a paper bottle, the Achkarren winegrowers’ cooperative and Rossmann are sending a strong signal for innovation and sustainability in the German wine market. The significantly lighter, CO2-saving bag-in-box packaging is impressive in terms of both function and design, and shows that environmentally friendly alternatives to glass bottles can also find acceptance and attract attention in this country.