VICENZA, Italy – Premium coffee brand, Julius Meinl, stands out in the third edition of the Camaleonte Guide – Italian Coffees and Coffee Roasters Guide, winning the prestigious Sustainable Roaster 2024-25 award. Founded in 1862, the company operates two production sites: one roastery at its historic headquarters in Vienna’s 16th district, Austria, and a larger production plant in Vicenza, northern Italy, which has been active for over 70 years.
This recognition highlights the company’s dedication to sustainable innovation and consistently high product quality. A prime example is The Originals Bio Fairtrade line, a range of coffees both organic and Fairtrade-certified.
Beyond delivering exceptional quality, this line supports smallholder farmers by championing sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods, all while upholding the renowned standards of excellence that define Julius Meinl coffees.
In addition to earning the Sustainable Roaster award, the company achieved recognition with several other prestigious honors:
- Espresso Product Award: Socially Responsible for Belvedere Blend 1kg beans.
- Moka Product Award: Socially Responsible for Danube Delight 500g ground.
“We are extremely proud to receive the Sustainable Roaster 2024-25 award, an accolade that reflects our dedication to quality and sustainability,” Alessandro Rettore, Group Production Director at Julius Meinl. “This achievement is an additional incentive to continue investing in innovation, offering our customers excellent coffees and responsibly sourced products.”
Andreea Postolache, Global Marketing Director Ho.Re.Ca & Innovation and Head of Marketing Italy at Julius Meinl, also shared her enthusiasm: “Our goal is to create unique coffee experiences that blend tradition, innovation, and respect for people and the planet. The Sustainable Roasting 2024-25 award affirms that we are on the right path. We will continue to work passionately to offer products that exceed our customers’ expectations and reflect our commitment to a sustainable future.”
Now in its third edition, the Camaleonte Guide has established itself as a key industry benchmark, celebrating both Italian and international excellence in the coffee world. During this edition, an important novelty was announced: starting in 2026, the guide will be produced in collaboration with the prestigious Gambero Rosso, marking a new chapter in the enhancement of coffee. The awards received by Julius Meinl reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability and quality, recognizing that responsibly sourced and organically farmed coffee is essential to delivering a superior in-cup experience.
A 360-degree sustainable commitment
The “Sustainable Roasting 2024-25” award affirms Julius Meinl’s broader sustainability strategy, as outlined in its 2023 Sustainability Report. The company has made significant strides, including doubling the share of coffee sourced from supply chains that align with the Global Coffee Platform’s internationally recognized sustainability criteria to a total of 42%. The company has also expanded the reach of its Generations Program initiative, which promotes regenerative agriculture in Colombia and Uganda.
In 2023, Julius Meinl also took key steps to reduce its carbon footprint, such as installing photovoltaic panels at the Vicenza plant and implementing catalytic converters in its roasting machines, cutting gas consumption by up to 50% per machine. These efforts are aligned with the company’s ambitious goal of achieving zero emissions by 2040.
