Raising a glass to the environment: an interview with Anton of Xisto Wines

Raising a glass to the environment: an interview with Anton of Xisto Wines

Posted on: 04 Jun 2020

Eco-friendly wine imported from Portugal: 365Bristol meets with Anton Mann, co-founder of Xisto Wines and Port O’ Bristol.

 

Port O’ Bristol is a pioneering trade hub, working to import wine from Portugal using traditional cargo ships. Armed with a commitment to zero carbon and zero waste, Port O’ Bristol aims to reconnect Bristol with its Portuguese twin city Porto through a shared culture of food and wine - with minimal impact on the planet. Imported wine is then sold via the hub’s wine retailer, Xisto Wines. Their motto? “Made by rebels. Shipped by pirates. Drunk by heroes.”

 

Xisto founded officially in autumn 2018 by husband and wife duo Anton and Lela Mann. But really, the formation of Xisto has been a slow, organic process, characterised by years of travelling, research and planning.

 

Anton says he has been fascinated with food and wine “for as long as I can remember.” He recalls one infamous school trip to Bordeaux, on which his father’s winemaker friends loaded up his case with wine for him to bring back home: “several got smashed on pick up at Bristol Airport,” Anton recalls. “I had a lot of pink clothes.”

Anton and Lela of Xisto Wines / Port O’ BristolAnton and Lela of Xisto Wines / Port O’ Bristol

 

Then, in the 90s, Anton says he became “a bit obsessed with all-things foraging”, which led him to start a mushroom farm in central Bristol, called Fungamentals, growing organic mushrooms in shipping containers. Like Xisto is today, Fungamentals was a fossil fuel-free enterprise.

 

Later, following a series of life-changing circumstances, Anton and Lela began travelling again, which truly kicked things off for Xisto. During journeys around Spain and Portugal, Anton recalls, he and Lela began getting to know local winemakers, especially in Porto. “Our plans to sail the wine from Porto to Bristol excited and attracted innovative, great winemakers,” Anton explains, reflecting on the initial planning process. “We didn’t need to explain why we were going to such lengths to transport their produce in an alternative and clean supply route.”

 

Nowadays, the enterprise sails wine (from award-winning and minimum intervention wine makers who grow their own vine), plus olive oil, and few other special products regularly between the spring and autumn. The goal of Port O’ Bristol and Xisto, Anton says, “has always been to supply our home city of Bristol with as low an impact and pollution-free as possible.” To do this, the enterprise operate with a ‘Circle of Zero Waste’ approach. 

The team import wine and other products using traditional cargo shipsThe team import wine and other products using traditional cargo ships

 

From sustainable, small-batches of wine to their low emission transportation, the Circle of Zero Waste approach, Anton says, means the team can provide a “real clean alternative to the norm." 

 

"Normally,” Anton expands, “a case of wine from New Zealand or Australia produces over 2kgs of carbon. We aim at zero." The team reuse as much as they can, from bottles to barrels, to cases and pallets. “We used to get called ‘tight’ for saving everything – now it’s a compliment!” Anton adds. 

 

“With our circular supply route, we can name every place and person along the way. We have complete confidence and provenance along the way.”

Wine is stored in reconditioned barrelsOrganic wine is stored in reconditioned barrels, which are then sailed from Porto to Bristol

 

The formation of Xisto has not been without its challenges: at first, Xisto struggled to gain access to certain ports, for instance. “We don’t fit,” says Anton. “But we have managed to keep asking ‘why not?’

 

“We’ve won over many people and obstacles along the way. A few bottles here and there have helped things along!” And it’s not all bad; in fact, Anton says that when people get to grips with Xisto’s mission, the team receive “a lot of goodwill and help."

 

"It generates a great spirit of cooperation,” he resolves.

Anton before a recent ‘Wine Round’, holding his reusable wine bagsAnton before a recent ‘Wine Round’, holding Port O' Bristol's reusable wine bags

 

Though, like many, Xisto has felt the brunt of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak; many of the local businesses Xisto stock with delicious wine are not currently trading. However, Anton explains says the team are adapting well, focusing on a more direct approach with local customers. At the moment, for instance, Xisto is delivering wine across Bristol with the help of an eco-electric courier.

 

Xisto is also operating a ‘Wine Round’ (“like a milk round, really,” Anton adds). With the round, local wine fans can order a weekly drop of three or more Xisto wines to be delivered to their door. And, in tune with the collective’s zero-waste ethos, the Wine Round also ensures that customers return their empty bottles and wine bags (with a healthy dose of social distancing, of course). 

 

“Here’s to better days and better ways,” Anton finishes. “Support your local pirates. Support a new normal!”


Find out more on the Xisto Wines / Port O' Bristol website: xistowines.co.uk


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Article by:

Kate Hutchison

 


Kate Hutchison

Get in touch with Kate at kate@365bristol.com