Christian Holthausen appointed ambassador for International Wineries for Climate Action

International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) has welcomed founder of Westbrook Marketing Partners Christian Holthausen as an ambassador, working to raise awareness of climate issues in the wine trade.

Working in close collaboration with IWCA’s member and applicant wineries, Holthausen will strive to help IWCA raise awareness and encourage global conversations.

Josep Maria Ribas Portella, climate change director at Familia Torres and IWCA board member, said of the new appointment: “Since IWCA was co-founded just under four years ago by Familia Torres and Jackson Family Wines, we have been fortunate to be joined by a strong group of wineries already committed to the cause, including Alma Carraovejas, Château Troplong Mondot, Cullen Wines, Bodega Emina, Herència Altés, Miguel Torres Chile, Silver Oak, Twomey, Spottswoode, Symington, VSPT Wine Group, and Yealands.

“We are looking for new wineries from around the world to join us. We are delighted that Christian will be helping us to spread the word.”

Holthausen, who is based in Paris, called for more wineries to get involved in the initiative.

He commented: “We are looking for more wineries to join our coalition. International Wineries for Climate Action is a membership-driven effort, open to any winery that views climate change as a serious threat and is committed to reducing their own emissions.

“Our member wineries—big and small, from different parts of the globe—are all committed to the same values: reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, improving their land stewardship, protecting biodiversity, and being socially-responsible, locally-engaged businesses.”

A dual citizen of France and the United States, Christian Holthausen was previously in charge of export sales and international communications at Champagne AR Lenoble.

Prior to joining Champagne AR Lenoble, Holthausen spent seven years as the international house communications director for Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck & Charles Heidsieck in Reims. He previously spent five years managing the wine portfolio of Rémy Cointreau USA in New York after starting his career at Champagne Veuve Clicquot in 1999.

Earlier this month, Miguel Torres Chile joined the IWCA with a pledge to go carbon neutral by 2050. Read more on that here.