Appassionata Estate Partners with Cork Collective as the First Winery Partner in Oregon

Renowned German winemaker Ernst “Erni” Loosen’s forward-thinking estate, Appassionata Estate, partners with Cork Collective, an organization dedicated to transforming cork waste into valuable resources. Appassionata serves as the first winery in Oregon to partner with the sustainability-first organization, with the goal of paving the way for cork recycling in Oregon. 

Through the collection, recycling, and repurposing of natural cork stoppers, the Cork Collective creates a ‘closed-loop’ system where natural resources are reused, upcycled, and regenerated to minimize waste. This initiative paves the way for a truly circular economy of natural cork that repurposes stoppers into materials that can keep significant amounts of CO2—retained only by real cork stoppers—sequestered for decades, while also supporting eco-friendly community projects such as playground revitalization. 

“We’re excited to be at the forefront of this partnership and driving Cork Collective’s impact in the Willamette Valley,” says Tim Malone, Head of Winemaking and Viticulture at Appassionata Estate. “Sustainability is at the core of what we do, and by joining forces with like-minded producers, we can make a real difference and create a lasting impact for the future of our industry and our region.”

Appassionata is proud to collaborate with Cork Collective in various ways, both financially and through active participation. By significantly contributing to the Cork Collective efforts, Appassionata reaffirms its growing commitment to harboring a greener future through cork recycling. Furthermore, the estate will be collecting corks in the Appassionata tasting room, cellar, at events, and during blending sessions - any time and any place wines are opened. In an effort to further strengthen this footprint and reach, Appassionata will also be encouraging its customers and club members to bring their corks to the estate so the team can recycle them directly via cork collective bins. 

Appassionata is eager to ignite the start of Oregon’s collective involvement and is equally passionate in its intent to drive participation with the Cork Collective on both the DTC and trade level, further expanding the reach and impact of this powerful movement. 

For more information about Appassionata Estate, please visit [appassionataestate.com/]. For more information about Cork Collective, please visit [corkcollective.org/].

About Appassionata Estate: 

Appassionata is German winemaker Ernst "Erni" Loosen's long-term vision to establish a European-style wine estate in Oregon and to craft a portfolio of wines that express the true character of the Willamette Valley and possess extraordinary ageability. The 40-acre property, located on the slopes of the Chehalem Mountains near Newberg, Oregon, is the culmination of nearly two decades of planning and investment that began in 2005 and now includes three Pinot Noirs of varying age, a barrel-fermented Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc produced in acacia barrels, and a dry Riesling made in the German Grosses Gewächs (GG) style. Appassionata focuses on wines that are already aged upon release, and ready to enjoy in the moment.

About Cork Collective: 

Cork Collective is an initiative fueled by the expertise and passion of its founding partners—Rockwell Group, Amorim, BlueWell & Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits—and is dedicated to transforming cork waste into valuable resources, showcasing its versatility and circularity. Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, making it a 100% natural and renewable resource. This sustainable material regrows, allowing for repeated harvesting without harming the trees. Through partnerships with restaurants and hospitality venues, the Cork Collective collects and recycles wine corks, turning them into eco-friendly projects. Its initiatives not only reduce waste, but also support community projects like playground revitalizations and sustainable design solutions.