As a self-professed eco-warrior, I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about the world of fine water. Wasn’t water just, well, water? How could there possibly be connoisseurs and sommeliers dedicated to the nuances of something as ubiquitous as H2O? But then I met Ashley Epperson, co-owner of the online fine water retailer Salacious Drinks, and my perspective shifted entirely.
“I met my partner 12 years ago, and we used to just travel around and try different waters,” Epperson told me, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “We were attracted to the aesthetics – interesting-looking bottles that weren’t available locally. Eventually, we opened up Salacious Drinks as a way to share our passion for fine water with the world.”
As Epperson and I chatted, I couldn’t help but be captivated by her infectious zeal. She described the rigorous training programs she and other water sommeliers undergo, learning to discern the unique terroirs and mineral profiles of waters sourced from all over the globe. It was a level of dedication I had previously reserved only for the most ardent wine connoisseurs.
But the more I learned, the more I realized that this fine water movement wasn’t just about indulging in luxury – it was also about sustainability and environmental consciousness. And that’s where Saint Marc USA comes in.
Elevating Water Sustainability with Saint Marc USA
Saint Marc USA is a beverage company on a mission to redefine the way we think about, well, beverages. Founded with a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Saint Marc USA has developed an impressive lineup of eco-conscious drinks, including its signature sparkling waters.
“At Saint Marc USA, we believe that every sip counts,” explains the company’s founder, Jared Levine. “That’s why we’ve made it our mission to create products that not only delight the palate, but also have a positive impact on the planet.”
One of the ways Saint Marc USA is achieving this lofty goal is through its partnership with Klean Kanteen, a leading manufacturer of sustainable drinkware. Together, the two companies have developed a unique program that encourages customers to reduce their reliance on single-use plastic bottles by offering refillable Klean Kanteen bottles with the purchase of Saint Marc USA’s sparkling waters.
“We’re not just selling a beverage – we’re selling a lifestyle,” Levine says. “By making it easy for our customers to enjoy our products in a sustainable way, we’re hoping to inspire a ripple effect of eco-conscious choices that will benefit the planet in the long run.”
The Klean Kanteen Advantage
Klean Kanteen has long been a pioneer in the sustainable drinkware space, crafting high-quality, reusable bottles and cups that are designed to last a lifetime. Their partnership with Saint Marc USA is a natural extension of their shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
“From the very beginning, Klean Kanteens have been built with love – the love of adventure, the love of conserving wild places, and the love of replacing single-use plastic,” the company states on its website. “We use our business as a force for good, prioritizing the well-being of people and the planet and by designing sustainable, high-performance products.”
The Klean Kanteen bottles offered through the Saint Marc USA program are made from durable, BPA-free stainless steel, and they come in a variety of stylish designs to suit any taste. But what sets them apart is their long-lasting durability and the positive impact they have on the environment.
“A single Klean Kanteen bottle can replace hundreds, if not thousands, of single-use plastic bottles over its lifetime,” Levine says. “That’s a pretty significant reduction in waste, and it’s something our customers can feel good about.”
Pairing Sustainability with Flavor
Of course, the Saint Marc USA and Klean Kanteen partnership is about more than just sustainability – it’s also about delivering a premium drinking experience. After all, what’s the point of sipping from a reusable bottle if the contents don’t satisfy your taste buds?
That’s where Saint Marc USA’s attention to detail really shines. Their sparkling waters are crafted using only the finest, sustainably sourced ingredients, with a focus on natural flavors that are both refreshing and sophisticated.
“We’re not just slapping a ‘sustainable’ label on our products and calling it a day,” Levine says. “We’ve put a lot of thought and care into the flavors we’ve developed, using things like organic fruit juices and natural essences to create something that’s truly unique and delightful.”
And if the accolades are any indication, Saint Marc USA is succeeding in their mission. Their sparkling waters have been praised by discerning palates across the country, with one Bon Appétit writer even going so far as to call them a “staff favorite.”
A Ripple Effect of Sustainability
As I sipped my way through a sampling of Saint Marc USA’s sparkling waters, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the depth of flavor and the satisfying fizz that danced on my tongue. But what really struck me was the sense of purpose that permeated every aspect of the company’s operations.
“We’re not just selling a beverage – we’re selling a lifestyle,” Levine had told me earlier, and I could see that conviction in action. From the sleek, reusable Klean Kanteen bottles to the sustainably sourced ingredients, every element of the Saint Marc USA experience was designed with the environment in mind.
And that’s where the true power of this partnership lies. By making it easy and enjoyable for consumers to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics, Saint Marc USA and Klean Kanteen are paving the way for a more sustainable future. It’s a ripple effect that has the potential to transform not just the beverage industry, but the way we all think about our daily choices.
As I packed up my tasting samples and bid farewell to Epperson and Levine, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. The world of fine water might still be a bit of a mystery to me, but the work that companies like Saint Marc USA and Klean Kanteen are doing to make sustainability accessible and appealing? That’s something I can get behind.
