Did you know that for every 2 bottles of wine made there is one bottle of grape waste produced? The waste includes things like seeds, stems, and grape skins; all of which are loaded with nutrients. But where does all this good stuff go? Some wineries, like Willamette Valley Vineyards in Oregon have a rigorous composting program, but most just throw it away.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 ways to turn wine waste into useful, delicious and healthy products. With as much as 4 billion bottles of wine consumed every year in the United States, upcycling the waste is serious business. That’s enough wine waste to fill the Empire State Building (every year!).
5 Upcycled Products From Wine Waste
Grapeseed Oil for Cooking
Grapeseed oil is growing in popularity every year and it’s no surprise because the health benefits are incredible. For every 300 gallons of wine, 1 gallon of grapeseed oil can be created. Grapeseeds can be pressed or the oils can be removed chemically. It’s been said that chemically extracted grapeseed oil doesn’t have all the same benefits as expeller pressed grapeseed oil; so be sure to read the small print.
- Improved Cardiovascular Health
- Burnpoint of Grapeseed Oil is above Olive Oil at 420 F (olive oil is around 350)
- High in omega-6 fatty acids in the form of linoleic acid
- Rich in polyunsaturated fats, which are better than fats from butter and margarine
Grapeseed “Varietal” Oils
The two founders of AprèsVin have developed many amazing post-winery products including grapeseed oils and gluten-free grapeseed flours. Check out:
AprèsVin Smoked Chardonnay Grapeseed Oil
Skincare Products
Grapeseed oil is a major untapped beauty secret because of its antioxidants. Grapeseed oil is 20 times more potent than Vitamin C and can be 50 times more effective than Vitamin E.
- An antioxidant that slows down the aging process by fighting free radicals
- Anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory
- Promotes eye health
- Good for sensitive skin
Beauty Products That Use Grapeseed Oil
Antipodesnature uses a super powerful grapeseed extract made in New Zealand called Vinanza. Caudalie makes a few moisturizing products that have rave reviews for their uses on sensitive skin types. Caudalie’s claim to fame is for a unique grape-based ingredient made from sap.
Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream
Antipodesnature Organic Grapeseed Butter Cleanser
Fine Liquor: Grappa
Grappa is created from grape pomice and is a distilled spirit similar to whiskey, vodka or brandy. The Italians were the first to make Grappa by using the leftovers from wine production. Grappa is definitely an acquired taste so be sure to seek out a single varietal Grappa, which are not usually as ‘harsh’.
Benefits of Grappa There have been long-term studies conducted on the benefits of moderate drinking over a lifetime. Some of these include being 50% less likely to experience strokes. You can read more about the benefits of wine.
Grappa made from Moscato
One of the smoothest and most aromatic Grappas on the market to try. Check out:
Clearcreek Distillery Moscato Grappa
Marolo Moscato Grappa
Made From Bottles, Corks & Barrels
The things you don’t usually think about such as wine barrels, bottles and corks are a growing area of product interest. Besides making cool crafts, corks can be used in flooring. Here are some of the more clever post-consumer wine products out there.
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Upcycled Cork Board
Terra Cycle -
Upcycled Wine Bottle Glasses
Refresh Glass -
Upcycled Wine Barrel Furniture
Stil Novo Design
New Development! Biodegradable Containers
Biodegradable Containers The OSU research lab recently announced that they figured out how to make biodegradable containers with crude winery waste.
We foresee wineries selling their pomace rather than paying others to dispose of it. One industry’s trash can become another industry’s treasure.
Yanyun Zhao Professor and food products specialist
Sources
The volume of the empire state building is 37 million cubic feet or just over 1 billion liters.
Grapeseed oil statistics apresvin.com
How much wine do Americans consume? Wineinstitute.org
Willamette Valley Vineyards compost program is mentioned on Oregon Live