Bio Cantina Sociale Orsogna has reached a remarkable milestone, becoming Italy’s first Plastic Free Certified winery, recognition of more than fifteen years of practical, measurable commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

For Orsogna, this achievement is not the result of one recent initiative. It is the culmination of a long-term approach to organic and biodynamic winemaking, built around making more considered choices at every stage, from the vineyard through to the finished bottle.

A journey that began in 2012

The winery’s move towards becoming plastic free began in 2012, when it removed plastic capsules from both its still and sparkling wines.

Since then, Orsogna has continued to reduce plastic across its primary packaging and shipping materials, while also introducing FSC-certified paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.

It is an approach based on steady progress rather than a single sweeping change. The winery looks at each part of the production and logistics chain and asks where a more responsible alternative can be found.

From the vineyard back to the soil

Orsogna’s commitment extends beyond packaging.

The winery puts its winemaking by-products to work, transforming grape skins and pomace into compost rather than treating them as waste. These materials are also combined with animal manure to create natural fertilisers, reducing the need for externally produced synthetic fertilisers.

The result is a more circular approach. Resources from the vineyard and winery are returned to the soil, helping to reduce waste while avoiding the petrochemical inputs and transportation associated with conventional fertilisers.

What does Plastic Free Certification mean?

Plastic Free Certification recognises companies that demonstrate continuous and measurable progress in reducing their use of plastic and lowering their environmental impact.

At Orsogna, this encompasses much more than the bottle itself. Packaging, shipping materials and other elements of the production chain are considered, with alternative, recycled or recyclable materials used wherever possible.

The winery estimates that the sustainable practices it has adopted have resulted in one tonne of CO₂ equivalent emissions saved.

Importantly, certification is not regarded as the end of the journey. It represents an ongoing commitment to measurable improvement, with progress assessed against defined objectives and independently verified. Becoming Italy’s first Plastic Free Certified winery is therefore another significant step in Orsogna’s long-term philosophy: reducing waste, using resources thoughtfully and continually looking for better ways to make wine.

Explore our selection of organic and biodynamic wines from Orsogna here.