Our Sustainable Procurement Policy

At La Mare Wine Estate, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. As part of the La Mare Estate Group, including Maison de Jersey, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint while preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings. By embedding eco-conscious practices into every aspect of our operations, we aim to ensure a lasting, positive impact on both our planet and our community.

This policy aligns with our Environmental Charter, reflecting our dedication to responsible sourcing, ethical practices, and sustainable development, ensuring that we meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to thrive.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Procurement

Supporting Local and Sustainable Suppliers

We prioritise sourcing from local and ethical suppliers to minimise our environmental impact, strengthen the local economy, and support sustainable practices.

Local Ingredients:
- Oversized Jersey Royal Potatoes for our Jersey Royal Vodka, reducing food waste.
- François Le Luyer’s Jersey honey, Jersey butter in our biscuits, and Jersey cream in our fudge.
- Jersey milk as a key component in our artisan products.

Ethically Certified Partners:

Callebaut Chocolate: Committed to sustainable chocolate production through initiatives like the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, supporting cocoa farming communities and promoting ethical practices.

Cotswold Fayre: A Certified B Corporation, ensuring that the distribution of Black Butter and other products aligns with environmentally sound and ethical principles.

Murphy & Son Ltd: A supplier of brewing and winemaking ingredients dedicated to innovation and eco-conscious production, supporting our commitment to sustainability.

Croxsons, our trusted supplier for all our glass packaging. Croxsons is not just a leader in glass manufacturing; they are a beacon of sustainability in the industry, having recently joined the United Nations Global Compact Initiative. This initiative, the world’s largest voluntary corporate responsibility programme, aligns businesses with ten universal principles covering human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. Croxsons’ pledge to integrate these principles into their operations underscores their dedication to ethical practices and environmental stewardship.
Berlin Packaging UK, a global leader in hybrid packaging solutions with a robust dedication to environmental stewardship provides all our bottle and jar caps. Berlin Packaging’s approach to sustainability begins with responsibly sourced materials and extends to innovative packaging solutions like Post-Consumer Regrind (PCR), Post-Industrial Regrind (PIR), and biodegradable options. Their work with recyclable plastics such as HDPE and PET further reflects their commitment to reducing the environmental footprint. Beyond materials, Berlin Packaging’s focus on supply chain accountability, human rights, and high labour standards ensures that their practices align with our own Sustainable Procurement Policy. Their long-term vision to become a fully sustainable company resonates with our mission to protect the natural environment and positively impact local communities.

Transparency and Ethical Standards

We ensure our suppliers adhere to environmental and ethical guidelines, aligning with best practices in sustainability. We regularly evaluate our partners to confirm they:

Operate responsibly, reducing carbon footprints and protecting ecosystems.
Uphold ethical values, including the fair treatment of people and animals, ensuring a high quality of life for all.
Share our vision of sustainable development, balancing current needs with future resource preservation

Green Purchasing Framework

We are committed to implementing a Green Purchasing System to formalise our selection process for suppliers, services, and materials. This includes:

Screening New Suppliers: Evaluating environmental and sustainability commitments during the onboarding process.
Supplier Questionnaires: Asking all suppliers about their sustainability practices, including resource efficiency, waste reduction, and support for ethical initiatives.
Partnership Reviews: Conducting regular audits and reviews to ensure ongoing alignment with our sustainability goals.
Encouraging Greener Practices: Working collaboratively with suppliers to help them adopt more sustainable practices, benefiting both parties and the environment.

Ethical and Sustainable Development

Our procurement practices go beyond environmental considerations to include the ethical treatment of people, animals, and nature. This holistic approach includes:

Fair Labour Practices: Ensuring that suppliers provide safe working conditions, fair wages, and equal opportunities for their employees.
Animal Welfare: Partnering with suppliers who prioritise humane treatment and avoid unnecessary harm to animals.
Supporting Ethical Finance: Preferring suppliers whose financial practices align with ethical values, fostering sustainable community development.

Building Strong Local Relationships

For micro and small businesses, sustainable procurement involves close relationships with local suppliers, ensuring that trust and shared values drive sustainable outcomes. By working together, we strengthen Jersey’s cultural and environmental heritage while fostering a thriving local economy.

Ensuring Accountability

To support the ongoing success of our Sustainable Procurement Policy, we are implementing a Sustainability Checklist for all new suppliers. This process ensures that every supplier aligns with our sustainability values:

Initial Supplier Evaluation:
- Suppliers complete a questionnaire detailing their environmental practices and ethical commitments.
- Preference is given to those with certifications such as B Corporation, Fair Trade, or equivalent sustainability credentials.
Compliance Monitoring:
- Suppliers must agree to periodic reviews of their sustainability practices.
- Non-compliance with agreed standards will trigger a re-evaluation of the partnership.
Continuous Improvement:
- Regular workshops and feedback sessions with suppliers to promote eco-friendly innovations.
- Sharing resources and guidance to help suppliers transition to greener operations.