New Vine Logistics Creates Revolutionary, Eco-Friendly Wine Cooling Package

WineAssure’s newly developed cooling solution provides optimal temperature insulation, ensuring that wine does not experience vast temperature fluctuations.

14/01/08 New Vine Logistics, the wine industry’s leader in fulfillment of direct-to-consumer wine shipments, announced WineAssure, the first, eco-friendly packaging solution to keep wine at an optimal temperature during shipment. WineAssure increases consumer satisfaction and reduces overall summer storage and shipping costs for wineries by allowing wine to ship year round without the threat of temperature damage.

Designed exclusively for New Vine Logistics by International Thermal Wizards, which specializes in temperature-controlled transport for medical, food, military and government organizations, WineAssure was created as the first viable option to protect wine from temperature fluctuations during shipping. With WineAssure, wineries can ship wine year round to consumers in areas all over the country with confidence that the wine will retain its quality regardless of exterior temperature.

With traditional packaging methods, wine may experience a variety of travel delays and temperature conditions that compromise the integrity of the wine. WineAssure’s newly developed cooling solution provides optimal temperature insulation, ensuring that wine does not experience vast temperature fluctuations. It guarantees that wine does not exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit or fall below refrigeration level over a five day shipping period, regardless of exterior temperatures. WineAssure’s eco-friendly approach to packaging also greatly outperforms other unsuccessful options such as dry ice and gel packs which cool packaging containers for one to two days and contain hazardous materials and/or emit greenhouse gases.

The ability to ship wine year round not only satisfies consumers but benefits wineries in three key ways:

1. It reduces winery inventory holding cost by preventing shipment holds to await cooler weather,

2. It reduces shipping cost since overnight shipping is no longer necessary to reduce prolonged exposure to temperature fluctuation,

3. Wineries can recognize revenue immediately from summer purchases since the wine may ship without delay.

“As a leader in wine shipping, we developed WineAssure to ensure that wine sent to consumers arrives with the same quality and taste as it is experienced at the winery,” said Kathleen Hoertkorn, Founder & CEO of New Vine Logistics based in Napa, California. “WineAssure is the first of its kind for the wine industry and helps wineries manage costs and cash flow, especially during the summer months.”

Robin Baggett, Managing Partner of Alpha Omega, a new winery in Napa Valley said, “Since almost half of our business involves shipping wine to our customers across the country, this product will enable us to deliver our high quality wines in perfect condition all year round regardless of weather. That’s revolutionary!”

The WineAssure packaging and insulation are made from 100% recyclable and degradable materials. The packs contain a water and salt-based solution that is completely non-toxic, non-caustic and degradable. The insulation is mineral-based and breaks down to its original minerals within hours of being composted or buried. The packs and insulation in the WineAssure solution can be reused by the recipient, disposed of at home with other recyclable materials or returned to New Vine Logistics at no cost with a return shipping label provided in each box. On March 1, 2008, two-bottle packages will be available. The two-bottle solution is $15. Four-, six-, twelve- and magnum- bottle packages will be available prior to the 2008 summer shipping season.