The first British-made sparkling wine bottle designed specifically for the English and Welsh wine industry has entered commercial production, marking a significant step towards a more resilient and sustainable domestic supply chain. Developed through a collaboration between Croxsons and glass manufacturer Encirc, the new Sovereign bottle completed its inaugural production run at Encirc’s Cheshire facility, where nearly one million bottles were manufactured.

Engineered to meet the performance requirements of traditional method sparkling wine production, Sovereign is produced using glass heated to approximately 1,200°C before being moulded into shape. Its distinctive amber colour is created through a controlled blend of iron, carbon and manganese, providing up to 99% protection against ultraviolet light and helping preserve wine quality more effectively than conventional flint or green glass bottles. Until now, English and Welsh producers have relied almost entirely on imported bottles from mainland Europe.

The launch comes as the UK wine sector continues to expand, with more than 1,000 vineyards and over 200 wineries now operating across England and Wales. Manufactured using 49% post-consumer recycled glass, Sovereign supports lower transport emissions by reducing shipping distances by around 575 miles per delivery compared with imported alternatives.

For producers purchasing approximately 100,000 bottles, this could reduce CO₂ emissions by an estimated 4.6 to 7.7 tonnes. Beyond its environmental benefits, the bottle is expected to strengthen the identity of English and Welsh sparkling wines while providing producers with a locally manufactured packaging solution tailored to the sector’s continued growth.