Global Package Sponsors and Exhibits at this year’s Virtual Wine Packaging Conference on August 4th

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Global Package, LLC is proud to be a sponsor and exhibitor at this year’s August 4th Wine Packaging Conference, which is hosted by Wine Business Monthly (WBM). After years of being held in Yountville’s Lincoln Theater, the conference has moved to virtual exhibits due to Covid-19.

Check out the Global Package Exhibit Banner here: www.winebusiness.com/event/pack/ Visit GP’s virtual booth and click on Global Package.

“While this year’s exhibit may be virtual, our customer service is always personal and our extensive offerings are very real,” stresses Erica Harrop, founder and CEO of Global Package. “We hope you’ll engage in this exciting new way of connecting with all of us at Global Package!”

Global Packaging will be exhibiting in every category—Bottles, Bottle Decorating, Boxes, Labels, Closures, Design Services, Cartons & Containers, Packaging & Shipping Materials, and Printing—and will be available on that day for live chats between 1pm and 3pm after the online conference from 9:30am to 1pm.

Global Package specializes in customized high-end bottles, bottle design, and decoration services for wine, spirits and food companies, with a focus on unique specialty bottles, pewter labels, custom cartons, and stoppers for wines and spirits.

Also, for the first time in its history, the PACK Design Awards has opened voting to all members of the wine trade, not just attendees of the PACK Conference: “WBM hopes to use this digital platform to broaden the discussion on wine packaging, providing inspiration and information by sharing the unique designs.”

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.

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!

 

Packaging That Makes a Difference

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Erica Harrop, Founder and CEO of Global Packaging LLC, recently learned that client, Adam Lee of Clarice Winery, received kudus not just for his high-scoring Pinots, but also for the wine’s bottles and labels. According to Good Vitis editor, Aaron Menenberg:

“The bottles and labels themselves received serious design consideration and effort as well. The labels are beautifully designed and executed, and are true pieces of art. And the bottles bear a Chateauneuf de Pape -inspired custom cartouche. Both myself and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the ascetics of the Clarice Wine Company labels and bottles.”

Global Packaging started working with Lee—familiarly known as the “Prince of Pinots”—last year before debuting his three new Pinots. Lee wanted packaging  that reflected the history of the wine’s namesake, his beloved grandmother, Clarice, as well as the winery’s close affinity with France’s famed Chateauneuf de Pape wines. He shared this:

“I knew generally the height and weight I wanted, so I contacted Erica, who presented several options and suggestions, including an etched cartouche to the bottle for added distinction. I initially thought the pricing and quantities required for a custom designed bottle would be prohibitive, but it turned out that the quantities required were quite reasonable and the pricing was really fair. It cost a bit more than a stock bottle, but given the bang for the buck, it was quite reasonable. With Erica’s help the finished product is both classy and classic. I was also pleased with how smoothly and quickly the whole process was.”

Lee’s choice of a screw cap for the wines was also unusual: “Some have been surprised by my choice of a screw cap on the package …it was not to save money. My many years in the industry as a Pinotphile have convinced me that screw tops are the best closure; they allow the right amount of oxygen in without TCA contamination.”

Wine writer Jeb Dunnuck scored all of Clarice’s 2018 Pinot Noirs with high marks: Garys’ Vineyard Pinot (97-94 Points); Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot (97 Points); and Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot (94 Points).

“It’s so gratifying to see Adam’s Pinots take off,” says Harrop. “He has a wonderful aesthetic and an inspired commitment to educating his community of members about every facet of winemaking and wines around the world.

Check out the Clarice website: www.claricewinecompany.com and become a member.”

Global Package’s Erica Harrop Announces New Hire: Sales Representative Sue Keechler

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Global Package President and CEO, Erica Harrop, recently announced the hiring of Sue Keechler to the sales team. Keechler has over 25 years in the wine industry, beginning with Sebastiani Vineyards in 1995 and 13 years with Wine Business Monthly as Account Executive. She has also served as Marketing Specialist with Sonoma Media Investments, Director of Business Development at Berkley Int’l, Tasting Room Associate atJacuzzi Family Winery, and Account Manager at Ramondin USA. When she was advertising sales executive at the Sonoma Index-Tribune in the ‘90s she loved the collaborative nature of the wine industry and decided it would be the focus of her career.

Harrop and Keechler have known each other for 13+ years. “It’s so exciting to come to Global Package and work with Erica,” Keechler says. “I have always respected her for her energy and no-nonsense style. She is an industry leader with tons of knowledge and a flawless reputation.” Keechler was introduced to Harrop when she was at Wine Business Monthly, where she partnered with over 150 customers, including Global Package. The two have kept in touch ever since and when this sales position opened up Harrop reached out to Keechler.

“We are so lucky to have Sue join our team,” says Harrop. “She is accomplished in every facet of our business, from brand building through creative packaging to expertise in all marketing channels, including social media.”

In addition to a wide range of bottles—both stock and custom—in a variety of styles, shapes, colors, and price points, Global Package has recently introduced several new innovative product lines that are making waves: Estal’s Sommelier Mouth anti-drip bottles, which include the new Essentia Burgundy, Bordeaux, and fluted Espiga bottles. and Wild Glass, beautiful 100% sustainable “real cycled” glass bottles that look hand-made. The Wild Glass bottles utilize an ecologically sustainable production process that uses only post-consumer recycled glass, which reduces CO2 output and energy consumption, while retaining the slight imperfections in the natural formation of the glass, creating a one-of-a-kind look.

“I’m so proud to be representing this outstanding supplier,” Keechler says. “While I’ll be familiarizing myself with the full complement of Global Package’s offerings, I’m already familiar with most of the industry players and many of our customers. So I’m excited to get out there and build on these relationships.”