DEAN & DELUCA Partners with BetulaN to Create Unique Natural Dye Shopping Bags from Grape Skins

Unique Natural Dye Shopping Bags from DEAN & DELUCA

In an exciting collaboration, DEAN & DELUCA, a leading gourmet food retailer, is teaming up with the natural dye project BetulaN to launch a limited edition shopping bag made from grape skins. This project not only highlights the beauty of nature but also champions sustainable practices by giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Running from January 13, 2026, DEAN & DELUCA will offer these eco-friendly bags, each a unique piece due to the natural dyeing process. The bags are crafted using grape skins generated during the winemaking process, a byproduct typically discarded. The vibrant colors derived from these skins showcase the unique characteristics of nature, ensuring that no two bags are identical.

The Essence of BetulaN

BetulaN, based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, specializes in using natural materials that are often overlooked, such as thinned wood and fruit skins. Each bag is hand-dyed, reflecting the colors and textures of the land. The artisans behind BetulaN exercise meticulous care in their dyeing process, transforming what was once waste into beautiful, functional art.

DEAN & DELUCA’s collaboration with this project emphasizes the value of handmade craftsmanship and nature’s gifts. Through their offerings, they hope to integrate these principles into everyday life, showing how sustainable products can be both beautiful and functional.

A Closer Look At The Bags

The shopping bags will be available in three color variations—beige, green, and gray—each one showcasing the unique qualities of the natural dyes derived from the grape skins. Like wines from different vineyards that possess distinct flavors, these bags will also differ in shade and intensity based on the grape variety and the natural mordants (copper and iron) used in the dyeing process.

Crafted from premium cotton, these bags not only serve as a stylish accessory for daily shopping but also become more delightful with each use. Their ability to be folded compactly makes them perfect for various occasions, whether you’re grocery shopping or traveling.

Each bag is priced at ¥4,800 (including tax ¥5,280), and due to the unique nature of the dyes, there will be slight variations in color, thus adding to their charm.

Previous Collections

This launch follows two previous collections, including a birch-dyed bag released in January 2025 and a coffee-dyed bag that followed in September 2025. Each collection has sold out quickly, reflecting the popularity and demand for these unique products.

The birch bags captured the soft light of Hokkaido’s sunny days, while the coffee bags featured stunning hues created from leftover coffee grounds, showcasing the creativity and craft involved in the dyeing process.

Craftsmanship and Natural Dyeing

Natural dyeing is a labor-intensive process that requires skilled artisans to carefully prepare the fabric and manage the dyeing process, often dyeing only a limited number of pieces at a time to ensure quality. Each fabric undergoes pre-treatment to ensure vibrant results, followed by hand-dyeing in small batches to craft each piece perfectly.

The beauty of natural dyeing lies in its unpredictability, where variations can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the final product. This painstaking attention to detail is what gives these bags their unique character and charm.

Embracing Nature's Bounty

At DEAN & DELUCA, the philosophy extends beyond providing gourmet food products; it is also about celebrating the culture of food and crafting experiences that enhance the beauty of life using what nature provides. Each shopping bag created through the collaboration with BetulaN not only functions as an accessory but also tells a story of sustainability, creativity, and conscious living.

As we look forward to this limited release, we encourage everyone to celebrate a piece of the environment through these beautifully crafted bags. Enjoy owning a piece of art that is not just functional but meaningful—crafted with care for both people and the planet.

For more details on the collection, visit DEAN & DELUCA’s official page.