Every great spirit begins with soil.
Whether it is the barley fields of Scotland, the agave landscapes of Mexico, or the vineyards of France, agriculture is at the heart of the spirits industry. It shapes the quality of what’s in the glass and the identity of the communities behind it.
Today, our industry’s focus on quality raw ingredients and sustainable production represents a cornerstone of responsible innovation. This dual effort is driven by the need to protect the diverse agricultural landscapes that allow our sector to flourish while meeting the expectations of a consumer base increasingly making intentional, sustainable choices.
The stakes are significant. Agriculture and rural communities are at the heart of a supply chain that supports36 million jobs worldwide and contributes $730 billion annually to global GDP.
There are so many investments in sustainable and regenerative agriculture that are worth celebrating across our global membership.
Maker’s Mark, a Suntory Global Spiritsbrand, is the largest distillery in the world to achieve B Corp certification and the first in Kentucky’s famed ‘bourbon country’ to earn the distinction. Their regenerative farming practices enrich soil for more robust varieties of grains, and the distillery has established the world’s largest repository of American White Oak trees for research purposes.
More broadly, Suntory Global Spirits’regenerative agriculture programmes now span multiple markets, from barley in the United Kingdom to coffee in Colombia, strengthening long-term agricultural resilience while reducing emissions.
Last but not least, I also want to recognise Moët Hennessy’s World Living Soils Forum. A tremendous example of how industry leaders, scientists, farmers and policymakers can collaborate to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture at scale and elevate the importance of soil health globally.
These are just a small sample of the work being undertaken across our industry. From water stewardship and biodiversity conservation to soil regeneration, emissions reduction and sustainable sourcing, spirits producers around the world are investing in long-term resilience of agricultural systems throughout their supply chains.
This Earth Day, we celebrate the farmers, innovators, and producers who understand that to protect the spirit, you must first protect the soil.
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