5 Innovative Ways to Improve Your Wine Packaging Game

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Why is wine packaging important?

There are many different practical functions of wine packaging. First and foremost, it protects the wine and acts as a vessel to transport your wine from the winery to the customer. You want to ensure that your wine is of good quality and that the packaging facilitates optimal storage.

Wine packaging also acts as a quality cue for consumers. You want the consumer’s eye and hand to be drawn to the bottle on the shelf, choosing your bottle over your competitors. “Shelf appeal” is one of the most important considerations when choosing packaging for your next project.

5 Ways to Improve Your Wine Packaging

1. Different sized wine bottles

You are most likely familiar with the standard 750mL wine bottle. They are excellent for dinner parties and social gatherings where they can be shared and enjoyed with your friends and family.

However, our society is drinking less – 18% less than in 2004. With many people choosing to drink less, there is a significant market opportunity to bottle your product into a variety of bottle sizes, including a smaller volume vessel and appeal to a new audience. Your consumers can enjoy a glass or two of wine without feeling pressured to open a whole standard sized bottle, which not only keeps the wine fresh, but also encourages consumers to be mindful of their portion sizes. At Global Package, we offer the increasingly popular  375mL and 500mL bottles in a number of our ranges, allowing you to trial smaller wine bottle sizes.

 

Innovative smaller sized wine bottles for consumers who are drinking less

BG Tradition 375ml Screw Cap

Different sized innovative wine containers to improve packaging

BD Cubana Bordeaux 500ml

2. Alternative containers

When it comes to wine packaging, glass bottles are by far the most common choice. Glass bottles have many benefits, and there is a reason winemakers are continuously choosing glass packaging. It protects the quality of the wine, is sustainable, and enhances the drinking experience.

However, this is not to say that other forms of packaging should be overlooked. For example, some wineries are tapping into canned wine, boxed wine, cartons, and more.

There are many benefits to boxed wine, so there is no surprise that it is a growing trend in the industry. There are environmental benefits to it, as it is a lower energy production than glass. The airtight seal also means that the wine lasts longer than a glass bottle once it is opened, meaning there is no rush to finish it, however it must be said that there is something exceedingly appealing about glass wine bottles.

3. Technology driven labels

There are many ways your brand could leverage the digital age in its wine packaging. It is an innovative and effective way to engage your target audience and improve the appeal of your packaging. <
Using a QR code on the label, you can give your brand an opportunity to inform your customers about the wine, making them more engaged and loyal to your brand. You can present this information in many different and creative ways – it is up to you!

There are other innovative ways to incorporate technology into your labels through near field communication (NFC), augmented reality (AR), and much more recently non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

4. Eco-friendly packaging 

Environmentally-conscious customers prefer brands that are mindful about the environmental impact of their packaging and branding activities. While heavy glass bottles have a luxury appeal to them, there is a trend towards more sustainable packaging. Consumers are increasingly conscious about the carbon footprint and the high energy production of glass and making decisions at the store based on these values. More environmentally responsible wine products can provide your brand with a competitive edge. 

Our Specialty Wild Glass range is made from recycled glass (post consumer recycled glass) and has a more sustainable manufacturing process. It allows you and your brand to still have the luxury and premium quality cues from a glass bottle, with a sustainable edge.

 

Innovation Wild Glass from Global Package sustainably produced eco-friendly wine bottles with less environmental impact

5. Highly presentable packaging

Creative packaging designs further contribute to its shelf appeal. Wine labels communicate many things about the wine to its prospective customers – including the variety, the brand, the location, and so much more. A label communicates a brand story, and it is important to have packaging that resonates with the consumer, who increasingly are becoming more interested, knowledgeable and social with their wine experiences.

Why choose Global Package?

At Global Package, we are committed to helping you choose the best packaging for your wine brand. We offer outstanding and innovative packaging solutions for your winery, ensuring your product is packaged the way you want it.

 

Dozens of container ships have been waiting to unload their goods in American ports

Staying Ahead of Supply Chain Disruptions

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Story originally published on Wine Industry Advisor by Dawn Dolan

Issues with the broken, or at best, limping along chain of supply have been a reality of life for wineries during the pandemic. It appears that trend is set to continue over the next year or two. The issue is not specific to one particular item, but cuts across the gamut of wine industry products, from wine glass, to tanks, barrels and amphorae. Delays are caused by issues in Europe, Asia, and here at home with our own port back-ups and transportation issues plaguing the USA as well.

Erica Harrop, President of Global Package, LLC, says it is, “Currently impossible to anticipate how long it will take [items ordered] to arrive.” She says it is a compound problem, with a lot of moving parts. “Shipping lines moved from China to Europe due to high tariffs, and during the pandemic, but now ports on the west coast, in particular Port of Oakland, are so backed up, European container ships don’t want to come here.” According to the Port of Oakland website, only 16% of overall cargo they handle is coming from Europe.

Daniel Moore, of Wine IQ, says the backup can go even further back. “We are waiting on raw materials,” he states. “There are rail strikes, shipping space issues; everything is so backed up. I don’t think anyone has ever seen the supply chain in such disarray.”

Given the energy issues created by the war in Eastern Europe, glass factories across Europe are working much more slowly, as energy is limited. “Freight may then sit waiting at a port or railyard for up to twelve weeks due to administrative issues,” says Harrop. “There is too much disorganization at the ports, too many containers, and not enough labor,” she stresses. The best advice she offers to wineries is to order wine glass at least six months ahead.

Dozens of container ships have been waiting to unload their goods in American ports

Dozens of container ships have been waiting to unload their goods in American ports / Alexander Kliem / Pixabay

Moore is in agreement. “A lot of the winery mentality is behind the mark, and they haven’t adapted to the new normal,” he notes gently. “Before, when something went wrong, there was always another option. Now that’s not true.”

Moore’s website for Wine IQ offers an “order by” counter, so clients know when to order tanks, barrels and amphorae, which all come from Europe. “Basically, now they [wineries] need to order in the first quarter for Fall delivery,” says Moore, for any of those storage-related items.

Additionally, according to Moore, there is no projecting how high freight costs will go. “What used to be a $4,000 container, went up to $14,000 a container.” Moore is a consulting winemaker and says empathetically, “I’ve been a winemaker on the other side of this, waiting for product. It’s frustrating.”

Sadly, notes Harrop, “We have no idea what the freight is going to cost us until we get the bill.” She knows that wineries wanting to order glass ahead are not able to plan for the cost per bottle, as there is no such thing as “locking in” shipping rates at this point. Freight is such a moving target, subject to many pressures, and there is just no guarantee.

However, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel, if it is a bit far away and dim right now. “Costs are starting to stabilize. 2023 should be better than 2022, and 2024 should be much better,” observes Harrop optimistically.

Harrop notes that in this climate of delays, planning ahead is key to successfully receiving your wine glass or whatever your order is, in a timely fashion. “People will have to be flexible and understanding,” she says. “Please be kind to your supplier!”

Global Package, located in the Napa Valley, is experienced in supplying high-end wine and spirits glass bottles to North American markets. With a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and the opportunity for customization and decoration, Global Package can assist your brand with the most appropriate solution whatever your budget or expectations. From glass bottles, bottle decorations, pewter labels, to bar top closures and corks, Global Package can assist with your project. Start your packaging journey today by calling +1 707 224-567 or emailing info@globalpackage.net.