Galil Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – made with Nespresso

A special ecological collaboration reached its peak last week when Galil Mountain Winery presented its first ecological wine grown with fertilization enriched with Nespresso capsules residues! The wine, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, was made from vines that were exclusively fertilized with unique Nesspresso-enriched green compost. The wine is served at Nithan Thai restaurant in Tel Aviv as part of a special “Zero Waste Dinner”, which includes 9 dishes, dessert, 2 glasses of the above wine, 2 cups of Nespresso, and a donation in the name of the diners, for only NIS 400 per couple.

Ecological cooperation – Galilee Mountain Winery and Nespresso

Nespresso has been investing for more than 25 years in environmental programs, from the coffee-growing stage to the capsule cycle. The company has put in efforts to collect the used capsules so as to recycle them. The company collects the used capsules from the customers to recycle them (using a specially-made bag that Nespresso provides and collects). The capsules are made of aluminium that blocks the light and protects the coffee in the capsule to keep it fresh until it reaches the consumer, but it is also easily recycled. The aluminium is recycled at the company’s recycling center in Modi’in and is transferred to industry. The coffee residue was analysed at the laboratory by Prof. Micha Raviv who pointed out its high nitrogen content that can be used as fertilizer. This was offered to Israeli farmers.

The Galil Mountain Winery, a sustainable winery, which raises the vines in its vineyards using ecological methods and continues this effort in the ecological winery building, was the agricultural business that joined the effort. The winery developed together with the Green-Compost company a unique compost that contains only natural ingredients including the maximum possible amount of Nespresso coffee residues, which is 20%.

Mich Vaadia, the chief winemaker of the Galil Mountain Winery, explains the process (in the photo above – left to right) – coffee plant, capsules, recycling bags, separation of aluminium and coffee leftovers, fertilization and growing of vines.

Sauvignon Blanc 2018 – the first wine grown on a fertilizer containing Nespresso

The first bottle of wine to be launched from the collaboration is the Sauvignon Blanc 2018 that was made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown at the Misgav Am vineyard on a bed of compost from recycled coffee. The wine has typical bright color, prominent aromas of tropical fruits, such as white peach and citrus fruits.

Zero Waste Dinner at Nithan Thai restaurant

To celebrate the new wine, Nithan Thai restaurant and its Chef Shahaf Shabtai will be serving a special Zero Waste dinner for a limited time. Each meal will be served with 9 plates inspired by the values of sustainability. Chef Shabtai created a combination of Asian flavors and tropical fruit aromas that characterize the new wine. At the end of the meal, the garbage is separated and sent to recycling. Some of the profits of the dinner will be donated to an environmental project in cooperation with the Good Energy Initiative Association. The tasting dinner will cost NIS 400 per couple and will include 9 plates, 2 glasses of Sauvignon Blanc 2018, one dessert of choice and two fine Nespresso coffee cups. Reservations must be made in advance by phone 03-560-05550.

Zero Waste Dinner photo by Jonathan Ben Chaim

I have already eaten several times at Nithan Thai, and I highly recommend the restaurant, the dinner is a bargain, especially with the new wine and complimentary Nespresso cups! Chef Shahaf Shabtai is highly talented and was recently chosen as the head chef of El Al Airlines.

The success of the project led the two companies to extend the cooperation and there is more to come in the future!
Disclosure: I was a guest of the companies at the event.