WineAssure Assists in Shipping Needs

WineAssure packaging and insulation are made from 100-percent recyclable and degradable materials and contain a water-based solution that is non-toxic.

30/01/08 New Vine Logistics, a company that aids wineries in shipping and other fulfillment needs, announced a new eco-friendly product designed to help keep wine at the proper temperature while it is being shipped.

The product, called WineAssure, was designed by International Thermal Wizards, a company that works with medical and military organizations to help transport goods. It is the first of its kind in the wine field, the company claims.

"Wine is a commodity that is subject to damage from temperature," says Kathleen Hoertkorn, New Vine Logistics CEO and founder. "This is the first time that you can ship wine in something where you know that the wine will taste exactly the same as it did at the winery."

WineAssure packaging and insulation are made from 100-percent recyclable and degradable materials and contain a water-based solution that is non-toxic. The packs and insulation can be reused or recycled by the recipient, or can be sent back to New Vine for no cost (a return shipping label is provided in each box).

WineAssure keeps wine from exceeding temperatures of 70 F or falling below refrigeration level (35 F) over a five-day period. Because of this, it will allow wineries to ship their product more often, since they will not need to hold wines in their inventory while they wait for cooler shipping weather. In 2007, New Vine customers lost approximately $1.43 million from holding wine shipments because of undesirable weather, the company reports.

Since temperature is no longer a concern, overnight shipping will no longer be necessary, which also will cut costs, and wineries also will receive immediate revenue from their summer purchases, since the wine can ship without delay.

After sampling the product before its release, 73 percent of consumers indicated that they would buy more wine because of the packaging, while 75 percent of wineries said they would be able to sell more wine because of it, according to company research. These numbers, says Hoertkorn, are "significant."

"It's like insurance for the wine," says Hoertkorn. "For $25 to $30, now you can ensure that the wine will come to you exactly how you originally drank it.”

WineAssure will be released to wineries on March 1, when two-bottle packages will become available. The two-bottle solution is $15. Four-, six- and 12-bottle shipping packages as well as magnum shipping packages will be available prior to the 2008 summer shipping season.