Croxsons has confirmed a permanent collaboration with glass manufacturer Encirc to oversee production of Sovereign, the UK’s first domestically made sparkling wine bottle — a decision that marks a major milestone for British manufacturing and the fast‑expanding English and Welsh wine sector.

The move follows the successful first production run at Encirc’s Cheshire facility last week, where close to one million bottles were produced. For Croxsons, the decision to formalise the partnership reflects both the scale of industry demand and the strategic importance of establishing a reliable, British‑made alternative to imported sparkling wine bottles.

Commitment to domestic production

For decades, English and Welsh sparkling wine producers have relied almost entirely on bottles imported from continental Europe. As the sector has grown — with more than 1,000 vineyards and over 200 wineries now operating in the UK — the need for a dedicated domestic supply chain has become increasingly urgent.

Sovereign was developed to address that gap. The bottle gives producers a British‑made option that strengthens supply chain resilience, reduces exposure to border delays and improves availability during peak production periods. For Croxsons, making the collaboration with Encirc permanent ensures long‑term capacity, consistency and security of supply for wineries across the country.

Tim Croxson, CEO of Croxsons, said the decision reflects the ambitions of a sector that has rapidly gained international recognition: “For many years, English and Welsh wine producers have built world‑class sparkling wines using bottles sourced from overseas. Sovereign changes that. After almost two years of collaboration to bring the concept to life, this first production run represents the culmination of a huge collective effort.

“This is about giving producers greater choice and creating a bottle that reflects the ambitions of the sector. We believe producers should have access to a bottle that is designed, produced and supplied closer to home.”

A sustainability and supply chain milestone

By manufacturing Sovereign in the UK, Croxsons and Encirc are helping producers significantly reduce transport emissions. Compared with sourcing equivalent bottles from Europe, Sovereign can cut transport distances by around 575 miles per shipment. For a winery ordering 100,000 bottles, this equates to an estimated 4.6–7.7 tonnes fewer CO₂ emissions, excluding channel crossings, pallets and packaging.

The bottle is also made using 49% post‑consumer recycled glass, supporting the industry’s wider sustainability goals and contributing to a more circular packaging system.

Designed for performance — and identity

Sovereign has been engineered specifically for sparkling wine, combining the strength and pressure resistance required for traditional‑method wines with the benefits of domestic manufacture. Its distinctive amber colour, achieved through a blend of iron, carbon and manganese, provides up to 99% UV protection, helping preserve product quality more effectively than flint or green glass.

The colour also gives English and Welsh sparkling wine a unified visual identity. Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, said: “The launch of the Sovereign Bottle marks a defining moment for the sector, as its unmistakable colouring will give producers a powerful visual identity. If many adopt the bottle, it has the potential to help our category stand out on the shelf and gives English and Welsh wine instant recognisability, such as with a Riesling bottle. The Sovereign Bottle.”

Supporting a growing industry

With vineyard acreage more than doubling in the past decade and sparkling wine remaining the dominant category, demand for specialist bottles continues to rise. Early adopters of Sovereign include Three Choirs and Ridgeview, signalling strong appetite for British‑made packaging.

Following the first production run, Sovereign is now available to producers across England and Wales. Croxsons is inviting wineries interested in adopting the bottle to discuss future orders and availability.