| The Next Wave in Wine Packaging? What do you | | | | consumed out of the box type containers. Although an |
| think a container of wine will look like in 10 years? 25? | | | | easy solution for wineries they would have to |
| 50? | | | | overcome the public perception of these box wines, |
| Within the wine industry there has been a substantial | | | | which although have shown improving quality of late, |
| movement and conversation of late to find ways to | | | | largely have offered terrible wine in the past and |
| reduce the carbon footprint associated with wine. Part | | | | consumers know it. |
| of this onus has been provided by the American wine | | | | Other more simple solutions for wineries to lessen their |
| industries close ties with San Francisco and the well | | | | carbon footprint have already started and include |
| known environmental movement centered in that city | | | | steps like encouraging customers to pick up their wine |
| (Napa is only 50 miles away, Paso Robles about 180). | | | | club shipments at the winery (only carbon positive if |
| Another part and perhaps a more substantial reason | | | | the customers live close by or would visit the winery |
| for change is a economical impact looking at glass | | | | at a different time anyway) or even shipping more |
| bottle alternatives as simply ways to save shipping | | | | bottles per shipment, less times per year. |
| costs as costs can range from $7 and up to ship a | | | | Some winery wine clubs now ship an entire case of |
| single bottle across the United States. Clearly | | | | wine (12 bottles) twice per year instead of the more |
| decreasing shipping costs benefits both wineries and | | | | standard alternative of shipping two bottles of wine |
| consumers. | | | | each month of the year. For third party wine clubs |
| Outside of a quick movement and the research costs | | | | there isn't as simple of a solution to this problem, |
| associated with finding a lighter glass or glass | | | | although giving customers the option of receiving only |
| alternative (which would by far be my preferred | | | | their monthly newsletter each and every month while |
| alternative) what choices does the industry have? | | | | receiving their wine only every six months could be a |
| Given the current economic climate and struggles of | | | | partial solution, if they have the warehouse space to |
| the wine industry I seriously doubt that any significant | | | | store the wine. |
| research grants are coming in the near future and the | | | | Over the next few years I think we'll continue to see a |
| shipping companies certainly have no reason to work | | | | push to lessen the carbon footprint of the wine |
| to cut average parcel weights. | | | | industry. |
| One simple solution is to have more wine shipped and | | | | |