Australian wine brand Tread Softly has raised the bar for sustainability, proudly celebrating the planting of their two millionth tree this October.
Since 2019, Tread Softly, in partnership with Carbon Neutral, has committed to restoring the nation’s degraded lands, with a tree planted for every case of wine sold. The result? The creation of the thriving Tread Softly Forest, which has reclaimed over 1,212 hectares of previously over-cultivated land in Western Australia’s Yarra Yarra biodiversity corridor.
A Forest Reborn
Over the last five years, Tread Softly and Carbon Neutral have carefully planted a diverse mix of more than 50 native tree species to regenerate lands once cleared for agriculture. The transformation is striking. What was once barren red earth now teems with life, as hundreds of native animal and plant species return to their natural habitat. Carbon Neutral COO Nevin Wittber explains, “You can see the difference from the red barren landscape and right next to it is this forest… Over time, this forest will represent what it was before the land was cleared.”
The environmental benefits of this monumental effort cannot be overstated. The Tread Softly Forest is expected to sequester approximately 125,000 tonnes of CO2e from the atmosphere over the next 25 years—that’s the equivalent of taking 35,000 cars off the road every single year.
Consumers Driving Change
Tread Softly’s extraordinary contributions would not be possible without the ongoing support of their customers. Each tree planted symbolises the collective impact of consumers choosing a wine brand that puts the planet first. Ross Marshall, Managing Director at Fourth Wave Wine, reflects on the achievement, “The much-needed restoration of a now huge land area has only been possible through the continued support of Tread Softly customers. This is a wonderful achievement for us all to be proud of, and we will not stop here.”
Lighter Bottles, Lighter Footprint
To further their mission, Tread Softly has introduced lighter glass bottles as part of their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. Each bottle now weighs 55 grams less—leading to significant savings in fuel use during transport and reducing the energy required in production. For every 100,000 bottles previously made, the lighter glass design allows for an additional 15,000 bottles to be created using the same amount of material. Bottling partner Michelle Buzza notes, “By using less glass, the brand is also able to reduce the energy used to produce a bottle—another positive step towards reducing CO2 emissions.”
Sustainable Practices at Core
Certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Tread Softly champions eco-conscious practices at every turn. From modern vineyard and water management systems to lighter-alcohol wines (9.9%-10.8% ABV without compromising on flavour), the brand perfectly aligns with the desires of today’s environmentally aware consumers. Their range includes everything from Pinot Noir and Rosé to zero-alcohol options under the ‘Everything Except’ label.
A Glass of Wine That Gives Back
Retailing from $16.00, Tread Softly continues to offer wine lovers a way to make a meaningful impact through every purchase. By choosing Tread Softly, consumers directly contribute to Australia’s environmental future while sipping on expertly crafted, sustainable wines.
To learn more about Tread Softly’s mission or purchase their wines, visit treadsoftly.com or find their products at major liquor retailers nationwide. Cheers to a brighter, greener future, one tree (and one sip) at a time.