2021 Annual ADI Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo

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Global Package is excited to announce that we will be an exhibitor in Exhibitor Booth #306 at this year’s ADI Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo, the largest market of distilling supplies and services in the world.

We will be exhibiting our outstanding and innovative packaging solutions in bottles for spirits and wine, customized molds and decorations, pewter labels, closures and cork stoppers, boxes and shippers, as well as our specialty range including sustainable, natural glass bottles.

Whether you have an established brand, or launching a new product, Global Package offers a comprehensive off-the-shelf portfolio, and innovative proprietary glass, as well as the opportunity for cost-effective customization and decoration, allowing your brand the most appropriate solution whatever your budget and expectations.

President and founder Erica Harrop will be in attendance, and has been involved in the packaging industry for over 30 years. Erica’s vast experience and passion for exceptional design, packaging and customer service can fulfil your brand’s packaging needs. Also in attendance will be Hunter Harris (Sales Manager) and Daniel Harrop (Customer Service), whose industry experience and expertise across our extensive range will assist all your packaging requirements. Discover the value-added benefits of working with experienced professionals within the packaging industry.

The expo is held in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky International Convention Center from August 23 to 25, 2021. Global Package will be available on the expo floor in Exhibitor Booth #306 from 1pm-8pm on the 23rd, 10am to 6:30pm on the 24th, and 2pm – 3pm on the 25th.

A Huge Shout Out to Wineries!

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Napa, CA  May 27, 2020 — Erica Harrop, President and CEO of Global Package LLC, applauds all those wineries that are out there making decisions and moving forward in these challenging times. Their efforts will help the economy recover more quickly as businesses gradually reopen and regain their footing as the lifeblood of a healthy America.

All of us at Global Package support you and here to help in any way we can. All of us truly are interconnected and in this together!

 

TOWT Sailing Cargo Ship Anemos

A New Wave in Sustainability: Wind-Powered Shipping Reshapes Wine and Spirits Supply Chain

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In a groundbreaking development towards sustainability in the wine and spirits industry, the world’s largest wind-powered cargo ship, Anemos, has successfully completed its first transatlantic journey, transporting premium wines, champagnes, and cognacs from France to New York. This innovative approach to shipping is expected to revolutionize sustainable transportation practices within wine and spirit supply chains, presenting a compelling opportunity for brands to minimize their carbon footprint while satisfying consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally conscious solutions.

The Future of Eco-Friendly Shipping in the Wine and Spirits Industry

Designed by the French startup TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport), Anemos represents a shift back to sailing vessels for commercial transport, leveraging the abundant and renewable resource of wind power. With significantly larger sails made from lightweight carbon fiber, Anemos can harness more wind than traditional vessels, allowing it to operate both sustainably and efficiently. While a hybrid diesel electric engine is installed as a backup, the ship can rely entirely on wind power around 95% of the time, showcasing the potential for wind as a viable propulsion method in modern shipping​. With advancements in meteorological models and routing intelligence, sailing cargo ships can efficiently compete with traditional container ships.

As the wine and spirits industry increasingly embraces sustainability, it becomes crucial for brands to consider innovative transportation methods that resonate with eco-conscious consumers. As brands explore innovative ways to transport their bottles, wind-powered shipping presents an exciting alternative that not only reduces the need for fossil fuels but also reinforces their commitment to sustainability.

How Sustainable Packaging Supports Wind-Powered Transport

Complementing innovative transportation solutions, Global Package offers a range of eco-friendly packaging solutions for the wine and spirits sector. By integrating sustainable packaging practices with innovative transportation methods, brands can further enhance their commitment to sustainability at all stages of production. Our products not only contribute to reducing environmental impact, but also provide elevated design choices which resonate with consumers.

Complementing innovative transportation solutions, Global Package offers a range of eco-friendly packaging solutions for the wine and spirits sector. By integrating sustainable packaging practices with innovative transportation methods, brands can further enhance their commitment to sustainability at all stages of production. Our products not only contribute to reducing environmental impact, but also provide elevated design choices which resonate with consumers.

Lightweight Glass Bottles for Wine and Spirits

Utilizing lighter-weight bottles not only offers a reduction in transportation expenses, but also plays a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprint associated with the transportation of wine and spirit bottles. By decreasing the weight of the glass packaging, brands can substantially decrease the energy consumption required for transportation, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions generated during shipping.

Global Package offers a stylish line of Elegant Light bottles, carefully engineered to be lighter in weight to ensure more economical and ecological shipping practices. Available in a variety of classical shapes and colors, our Elegant Light collection caters to both wine and spirits. Despite their reduced weight, these bottles maintain the integrity and timeless elegance of traditional glass bottles. Through the integration of innovative design and materials, our Elegant Light bottles represent a sustainable packaging solution for the wine and spirits industry, aligning with efforts to reduce carbon emissions and support environmental stewardship.

Explore our Elegant Light Line of wine and spirit bottles. 

Recycled Glass For Wine and Spirit Bottles

Global Package’s Wild Glass Collection, made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) glass or cullet glass from recycling programs, has gained popularity in both the U.S. and international markets for its sustainability and one-of-a-kind aesthetics. PCR glass is a reclaimed glass sourced from the end-user which is then crushed, melted down, and transformed into a new bottle. The material can be recycled indefinitely without degrading in quality, resulting in a ‘permanent material’ that significantly reduces waste. 

The Wild Glass bottles maintain the structural integrity and rigorous manufacturing standards of traditional glass but embrace cosmetic imperfections, celebrating the organic beauty of the recycled material. This innovative approach significantly lowers the discard rate from 25% to 10% by embracing aesthetic variations. The manufacturing process impressively minimizes waste and creates a more efficient sustainable supply chain, supporting eco-friendly practices in the wine and spirits industry.

Explore our collection of Wild Glass by Estal today. 

At Global Packaging, we aim to provide our customers with the highest level of innovation and sustainability through our wine glass bottles and spirit glass bottles. Using recycled materials, lightweight bottles, and having shorter import distances, can all work towards reducing wine and spirits packaging environmental impact. 

Explore our glass wine bottle and our glass spirit bottle collections.

Estal Wild Glass Bottling Line Spirits

Elevating the Consumer Experience with Sustainable Practices in Wine and Spirits Production

By adopting both wind-powered shipping and eco-friendly packaging solutions, the wine and spirits industry can establish an increasingly sustainable production chain. Companies akin to TOWT are paving the way for a future where renewable energy and responsible packaging coexist. Brands that embrace these innovations not only reduce their carbon footprint but also contribute to a circular economy, aligning with the values of today’s consumers.

As the industry moves forward, it is clear that integrating sustainable practices in both transportation and packaging will be essential for success. Global Package is committed to supporting these efforts by providing innovative packaging solutions that cater to the evolving needs of the wine and spirits market.

Explore our glass wine bottle and our glass spirit bottle collections. 

The Wine and Spirits Industry’s Shift to Sustainability

As the wine and spirits industry evolves, embracing sustainable practices is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. By partnering with Global Package, wineries and distilleries can explore innovative designs that not only enhance their products but also align with their sustainability goals. To learn more about how Global Package can help your brand thrive in this sustainable landscape, fill out our contact form, email us at sales@globalpackage.net, or call us on +1 707 224-5670.

A Personal Message from Global Package’s Erica Harrop

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I have been in the Napa wine industry for many years, beginning with my first job in 1984 in Carneros, working forimage Jack Davies at his brand new distillery. In 1987 I took my first job on the glass side of the industry, at Demptos Glass (see attached photo). Anyone who has been to Napa/Sonoma knows that this is one of the most beautiful places in the world …I have been so very lucky to live here!

I woke up on Monday morning to the heart-breaking news about the Glass fire and all the damage it was inflicting on our beloved wineries, in both Napa and Sonoma counties. We now are finding out that many of the people who work in our industry will be professionally and personally affected for a long time to come. Dream jobs have gone up in flames, aspirations have evaporated, and extraordinarily beautiful and iconic properties have been destroyed.

I want to express my deepest sorrow for my friends at Castello Di Amorosa and Chateau Boswell for their losses. I am so hoping there will not be more sadness to follow.

When so many classic wineries are gone it affects all of us, all of those businesses and jobs that are still standing. Along with many in our region, I know that losing Meadowood Resort is a huge, devastating loss. Many winemakers have been fortunate to be a part of WineTech, a group founded back in the ‘70s. We have all been fortunate to enjoy the generosity of Meadowood and its leaders, who have allowed us to sit at their table and be part of their amazing world. Thank you, Meadowood, for all you have given us through the years. Please know that we all will be there with you as we begin to rebuild this beautiful valley!

Global Package

Crafting Unique and Sustainable Bottles With Erica Harrop of Global Package

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The podcast Legends behind the Craft, hosted by Drew Hendricks, delves into the world of craft beverages. Drew interviews top leaders in the wine and craft beverage industry. Drew is the president of Barrels Ahead, a marketing agency specializing in Web Design, SEO, and PPC within the wine and craft spirits industry. 

This week’s episode features Global Package LLC President and CEO Erica Harrop, to find out more about the bottle-making process. Her expertise is invaluable as they cover topics such as sourcing, the evolution of the industry, and how Global Package customizes their bottles. They also dive into “wild glass” and what it means for sustainability in the world of glassmaking, and designing environmentally-friendly glass and packaging. 

You will also learn how Erica transitioned from winemaking to glass, what inspires her, and how Global Package is set apart from the rest of the industry. 

You can listen to the podcast here. 

 

 

Enhancing Elegance in Packaging While Reducing Carbon Footprint

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Winemaker Sue Tipton knew it was time for a change. She had to address some packaging concerns she was learning about from customers and retailers. But she also needed to approach the updates without disrupting the brand’s iconic bottle design.

She and her husband, Rodney, opened Acquiesce Winery in 2012. After being inspired by the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines on a visit to the Southern Rhone region of France, she decided to focus on white Rhone varietals. Their vineyard started with four acres of white Rhone grapes and, over the next eight years, they planted an additional 6.5 acres of white Rhone varietals with plans for another 5 acres next year. Today, the winery produces 4,000 cases/year.

Since opening, the winery has packaged its wine in a unique bowling pin-shaped flint glass bottle, with a deep punt. “While I loved the original eye-catching design, the unusual shape made the bottles somewhat challenging to display on market shelving and to store in standard wine racks,” Sue says. “That was one factor influencing the update decision.”

In early April 2019 Sue reached out to her glass supplier, Global Package, to explore these concerns. As the winery had grown in size, it now needed to find a practical solution to address the bottle’s balance, display, and storage issues, while retaining the unique, elegant bottle shape so identified with the brand.

The Tipton’s desire to lower the winery’s carbon footprint was another very important goal. “This was a huge motivator for us,” Sue adds. “Our vineyards are sustainable and we wanted to carry that ethic throughout our operations.”

To achieve these objectives, Sue called upon Global Package’s owner and CEO, Erica Harrop. She had worked with Harrop in 2011 when she purchased the original bottle. “Over the years we’d heard from winemakers, winery owners, and others that Erica was still the best in the business,” says Sue. “After we met to discuss the project in February 2019, I got the first drawing of the updated design the end of March.”

A custom mold drawing was created and Sue received a 3-D model of the bottle. It was a sleeker design, without a punt for better balance, but with the winery’s Lady Acquiesce logo embossed on the bottom. According to Sue, the meaning of the logo reinforces the winery’s focus on the environment  …”to acquiesce, or surrender to Mother Nature, to submit to the vineyard and the grapes so they are allowed to present their true character.”

The new streamlined glass bottles are significantly lighter weight, which saves the winery approximately 12,600 pounds per year in glass, or four ounces per bottle, without sacrificing the same 750ml of wine per bottle. In addition, cases are shipped in cartons that are 100% recyclable paper and pulp. All are measures that have substantially reduced the winery’s carbon footprint.

“We couldn’t have done it without Erica’s expert guidance,” Sue emphasizes. “Her knowledge, attention to detail and accessibility gave me confidence that we would meet all our goals and the glass would be ready in time for bottling the 2019 vintage. As in all significant projects with lots of moving pieces and multiple players, there were challenges, but Erica was diligent in addressing each one with the appropriate level of required urgency. We love the result and the feedback from our loyal customers confirms the success of the project. We will continue to partner with Global Package going forward.”

Acquiesce’s world-class white wines have recently captured industry honors: In 2020, the winery was awarded Best of Class for its Viognier at the invitation-only American Fine Wine Competition (AFWC). In 2019, it received Double Gold Medals for its Ingénue, Clairette Blanche, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul Blanc wines.

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Acquiesce Winery is located in the Lodi Appellation of California, and offers award-winning premium white and rosé wines lovingly created in small batches. Vines are sourced from the famed Château de Beaucastel of Châteauneuf du Pape, France, exhibiting a timeless elegance that’s fused with great fruit expression, thanks to Lodi’s sandy soils and Mediterranean climate. Its unique wines are carefully crafted using the best Rhône varietals: Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Belle Blanc (white blend) and Grenache Rosé.

Enticing Millennials: Global Package Has Answers By Erica Harrop, CEO Global Package

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In an Interesting recent article in the New York Times, entitled “The Wine Business Sees a Problem: Millennials Aren’t Drinking Enough,” author Eric Asimov cites the report “State of the US Wine Industry” by Rob McMillan, industry analyst and executive VP of Silicon Valley Bank:

“ … aging baby boomers — currently the prime market for wine — are nearing retirement age, the time of life when consumerism typically declines. Millennials, the generation that began to come of age after the turn of the century, have given no indication that they are poised to step in. They buy much less wine than boomers, and the wine industry has not done enough to entice them to become regular consumers.”

While it’s a concern that has troubled the industry for decades, few wineries (or suppliers) appear to be addressing the problem. As McMillan puts it,

” In prior reports, we noted that the falling interest in wine among younger consumers, coupled with the encroaching retirement and decreasing wine consumption of baby boomers, poses a primary threat to the business …that issue has yet to be addressed or solved, and the negative consequences are increasingly evident.”

So how do we tackle this? Let’s start with who these buyers are and what motivates them to purchase wine? Here’s McMillan again:

“Millennials grew up in a world that has been far more encouraging of connoisseurship than when boomers were young. Social media has given everybody the opportunity to exercise their critical voices, for better or worse. Millennials are a more discerning generation, at a younger age, than baby boomers were … (however) they have less disposal income.”

In addition, McMillian makes the point that this demographic is a much more diverse population: ““While only 28 percent of the boomer population is nonwhite, 45 percent of the millennial population — and almost half of Gen Z — is nonwhite.” It remains sad fact that today, even after recent movements toward racial justice, minority-owned wineries are still few and far between.

Finally, in McMillan’s report he points out that “millennial consumers are more concerned with social justice and with health and environmental issues, including climate change …A brand’s social values are increasingly connected to a consumer’s decision to purchase particular products, including wine,”

All of these trends have led Global Package to establish strong international partnerships with the wine and spirits industry’s most progressive and innovative companies. We have been at the forefront of working with leading European glass manufacturers to develop revolutionary and sustainable new designs.

A good example is our long-time partner, Estal, and its Sommelier Mouth (SM) bottles. This line includes the Essentia Burgundy, the Bordeaux, and the unique flute Espiga bottles, all of which are available in Flint and Antique and in both short and long tops. These bottles are revolutionary in their design, which includes the anti-drip barrier and groove guides to facilitate a clean, straight cut of the capsule. Production of the Sommelier bottles also has a reduced carbon footprint.

Also on the ecological front, which attracts Millennials concerned with climate change, we introduced a couple of years ago Estal’s gorgeous and environmentally-friendly Wild Glass™ line of bottles to an enthusiastic US market. These bottles are 100% sustainable “real cycled” glass bottles that are one-of-a-kind, since slight imperfections in the natural formation of the glass are allowed to remain, while retaining all the manufacturing positives of automated glass, much like organic handmade art. Estal’s process also doesn’t discard bottles with cosmetic defects, which reduces the discard rate from 25% to 15%.

Finally, Global Package offers the full complement of Elegant Light™ bottles, in classical shapes and colors. Importantly, they are lighter weight, resulting in more economical and ecological shipping.

We invite you to contact us. Our entire sales staff, on both East and West coasts, are available to answer your questions and advise on the best glass solution for your winery to meet the Millennial challenge.

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.

 

Erica Harrop to Speak at NapaGreen Sustainability Conference Workshop on Tuesday, April 19th

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Erica Harrop, President and CEO of Global Package LLC, will be giving a presentation on “All Things Bottle Sustainability” next week at Nickel & Nickel, 8164 St. Helena Highway in Oakville, CA. She will be first on the panel, beginning at 9:30am, and will discuss considerations for lighter bottle glass and using recycled glass bottles.

Global Package is well known for both its lighter-weight Elegant Light™ line of bottles, as well as for its distinctive 100% sustainable Wild Glass™ bottles.
Addressing environmental concerns, Global Package has in stock the full line of Elegant Light™ bottles, lighter weight bottles that result in more economical and ecological shipping, and which come in the full range of classical shapes and colors.

The company’s beautiful and ecological Wild Glass™ line of bottles has become widely popular in the US and international market. These bottles are 100% sustainable “real cycled” glass bottles that are one-of-a-kind, since slight imperfections in the natural formation of the glass are allowed to remain, while retaining all the manufacturing positives of automated glass, much like organic handmade art.

As an extra treat, Harrop will introduce the newest addition to the Wild Glass™ collection: Tarpon, a new brand owned by Jeremy Carter, who is totally focused on sustainability. See the accompanying photo of the gorgeous Tarpon bottle.

Join NapaGreen to be part of these valuable workshops.

Global Package (www.globalpackage.net) is located in Napa Valley and has an experienced team to provide the best bottles sourced from worldwide factories. It also provides custom shippers, glass decoration, pewter labels, and closures for the wine industry. When it comes to providing custom and specialty bottles and packaging, the firm leads the way in finding solutions to provide a comprehensive and attractive outcome that sets a brand apart. Contact: 2793 Napa Valley Corporate Drive, Napa, CA 94558, and 707-224-5670.

 

Excited to be a part of the 2021 North Coast Wine Industry Expo

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We are excited to be a part of the 2021 North Coast Wine Industry Expo being held on December 5th at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and invite you to visit us at booth # 230 along with 300 of the best suppliers in the industry. We would like to offer you use of our event promo code GLO230 – Use this code at wineindustryexpo.com/registration (https://wineindustryexpo.com/registration) to gain free access to the trade show.

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.

Favorable Pricing Returns for Global Package’s Elegant Light Bottles

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Napa, CA  January 20, 2021 – After the US International Trade Commission (USITC) determined on October 20, 2020 that the US industry “is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of glass containers from China” last year’s antidumping duty has now been lifted, which will result in a return to lower prices on China imports.

“This is very welcome news,” says Erica Harrop, Founder and CEO of Global Package LLC. “We have all endured higher prices for these bottles since the start of the investigation last year, making our already financially stressed industry more so. Everyone, producers and customers, will benefit from this.”

Since 2009, Global Package has developed strong alliances with glass factories in China to help design and provide a line of European-style bottles—its Elegant Light™ line—in more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and lighter weights, and at affordable pricing. Introduced back in 2008, the Elegant Light™ bottles are always in stock and include nine shapes that are distinctive for their larger, straight-line necks and voluptuous curves. Included in the line is the newest Bordelais Fiona Carrée bottle, which has the look of a heavier reserve bottle at a non-reserve price. It features an elegantly tapered body, deep punt, and larger neck for bottling-line ease and speed. Other Elegant Light™ bottles include other European-style, lighter weight 750ml and 1.5L Bordelaise and Burgundy bottles.

Harrop regularly inspects the China glass factories from which she orders to ensure US-required quality standards are being precisely implemented. “My in-person relationship with these suppliers is critical to building my decades-long trust between us,” she says. Harrop has worked for years inside a glass factory environment, which has given her a respect for the issues and limitations of manufacturing, and also the ability to communicate with owners and workers in a constructive way.

Her Chinese factory inspections include tracking ISO quality controls, from selection of raw materials through all production processes, including automated production lines and the design of molds, as well as warehousing of the finished product and shipping procedures. She also works directly with product development personnel at the factories to ensure customized products meet customers’ and US quality conformance requirements.

Within these stringent quality demands, Global Package’s alliances with both European and Chinese factories also focus on production efficiencies, which allows the company to control costs and pass on savings to customers.

“I’m extremely pleased this antidumping duty has been terminated,” says Harrop. “Last year was a tough year on so many fronts, it’ll be great to start this new year off on better tariff-free footing.”