International Box Wine Day Is September 9

April 21, 2021 by evebushman

KINGSPORT, Tenn., /PRNewswire/ — What began as a cheap container for wines in the mid- 1960s has become a reason for celebration by wine lovers around the world. Over the last decade, the box wine revolution became a cause célèbre.

Early boxed wines got a bad rap, largely because they deserved it. Wine producers used this inexpensive container to package many cheaply made wines. They found a market niche for these wines, but the poor reputation for boxed wines languished for decades. Ironically, the wine box has many advantages over traditional wine bottles. Finally, with the help of new technologies and rediscovery of the many advantages of the box container, the box wine revolution began.

Box wines stay fresh longer because the wine has little exposure to air and resulting oxidation. An opened box wine can last four to six weeks because the container is self-sealing. It is the most eco-friendly of all wine packaging. The container takes less energy to produce and the box is recyclable. Because of these and other factors, like convenience and lower shipping costs, box wines are better values than bottled wines.

The second stage of the box wine revolution happened as quality wine producers began leveraging this superior packaging for their higher quality wines. Premium box wines are becoming the norm. Consumers have discovered they now have a wider variety of box wines, and that selection is growing every day. Box wine sales were up over 30% in 2020, and that upward trend shows no signs of slowing.

Now that box wines are enjoying the acceptance they deserve, it’s time to celebrate with a special day to Embrace the Box and to share the joys of box wine with an ever-expanding army of fans. It’s time for International Box Wine Day.

What can box wine lovers expect on the inaugural International Box Wine day, September 9? That will likely be determined to some degree by COVID-19, but we hope the pandemic will have subsided to the point that Embrace the Box celebrations can proceed with the fervor they deserve. In the spirit of this new special day, we’re calling on winemakers worldwide to make plans to celebrate – to open your doors to box wine tastings and tours. Show off your box wines and participate in the celebrations. Wine Nook Co-Founder Cindy Saadeh said “Many major box wine producers are already making plans for International Box Wine Day.”

For your own at-home celebration, enjoy a box of your favorite wine. If you haven’t tried box wines yet, give one a shot. Most boxes contain more than 20 servings, so share with friends.

About Wine Nook: Our goal is to elevate the box wine and cocktail experience with our patented dispensers and accessories. Since 2015, we have championed the wine industry’s efforts to produce premium wines in alternative packaging. Wine Nook is partnered with the National Forest Foundation to plant a tree for every Nook sold.

Discover the Premium World of Box Wine With the New Guide From Wine Nook

April 18, 2021 by evebushman

KINGSPORT, Tenn. /PRNewswire/ — For over six years, Wine Nook has sought to change the dated reputation of box wine with their patented box wine dispensers. Their new guide book, Embrace the Box: Your Guide to the World of Box Wine, is an exploration of the growing variety and sophistication of box wine. The goal of this guide is to change the long-standing assumptions wine lovers have about the box. Read the entire ebook for free now at winenook.com.

Box wine is often dismissed from the conversation before it gets a fair shot, so the concept for this book began as an answer to the stereotypes surrounding box wine in U.S. publications. Cindy Saadeh, Co-founder of Wine Nook, is excited to help spearhead the change. “It can be a frustrating feeling, knowing the high caliber of premium box wines but then reading article after article putting down a whole industry of passionate creators,” she said. “Alternative packaging is the future of the wine industry.” With the massive growth of box wine purchases in 2020, U.S. consumers have also begun to see the value and quality of box wine — and this trend doesn’t seem to be going away.

Embrace the Box seeks to show that the cardboard box is simply a packaging choice. One that is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than bottles. Additionally, Wine Nook sought to research and consolidate a list of as many premium box wines as possible. “We realize we’ve probably only scratched the surface,” said Kim Snider, Creative Director. “However, we plan to continue to take this responsibility to the box wine industry seriously.” The list of premium box wines spans 23 countries, dozens of varietals, and all different price points.

Like the growth of alternative wine packaging, this ebook will be ever evolving. Even now, many alcoholic beverage companies are pushing to package their spirits and cocktails in the Bag-in-Box (BIB) format. Explore the entire published ebook for free at winenook.com.

About Wine Nook: Wine Nook’s goal is to elevate the box wine and cocktail experience with our patented dispensers and accessories. Launched in 2015, we strive to help champion the wine industry’s efforts to produce premium wines in alternative packaging. Wine Nook is partnered with the National Forest Foundation to plant a tree for every Nook sold.

Chilean Wine Sales Are Up, Reversing 10-Year Trend

October 3, 2020 by evebushman

On Friday, September 18, Chile celebrated its national Independence Day. The country’s wine exporters can also raise a glass to a recent sales turnaround: Reversing a ten-year downward trend, Chilean wines sales are up in the U.S. According to the latest import data, Chile is the seventh largest source of imported wine in the U.S., and the only one of the top seven to experience an increase in U.S. sales during the first quarter of 2020.

Wines of Chile, Year to Date

In a comparison of year-to-year sales, Chile saw a 40.68% increase in volume, translating into a 36.57% uptick in dollars in the 12-month period concluding June 30, 2020. While bulk wines account for roughly two-thirds of that volume, bottle sales have risen by 2% in volume, and 13% in value.
Red wines continue to drive Chilean wine sales, led by red blends and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chile is riding high on three “on-trend” categories: rosés, bag-in-box, and Mediterranean wines here in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2020

- The country’s rosé sales have more than doubled — up 114%
- Bag-in-box exports have grown by over 19% in volume
- Mediterranean varieties like País and Carignan are not only catching the attraction of the trade and wine experts, including off-premise channels such as supermarkets

The leading driver for Chile’s wine sales in the U.S. continues to be the country’s larger, well-established players with broad nationwide U.S. distribution, who are benefitting from consumer reliance on “tried-and-trusted,” familiar and reliable brands during the pandemic.

– The current pricing sweet spot for Chile in the U.S. is $10-$20, with the biggest growth in the $11-$15 category. According to Alonso “This is where Chile excels and demonstrates outstanding value-to-quality performance.” The Chilean category has also been able to absorb with relative ease the average 1% pricing decrease affecting domestic and imported wines in the first semester of this year.

Also of Note

– Eighty percent of Chilean wines exported are sustainable and verified as such. Notes Alonso: “Chile is a world leader in sustainability from vineyard to table and Wines of Chile has been instrumental in settings standards in this area.” The Wines of Chile Responsibility Code covers: (1) sustainable technical management of vineyards, (2) winery and bottling practices, (3) safety and social responsibility covering workers, nearby communities and even customers, and (4) Sustainable Wine Tourism, a recently launched initiative.

– 70% of Chilean wines exported to the U.S. are sold in off-premise accounts.

– In a new Wine Opinions survey, 48% of consumers who regularly spend over $20 a bottle reported an increase in their average weekly wine consumption. With great values at the $20-plus end of the spectrum, Chile looks to attract new converts.

– During COVID-19, the data also shows that the largest consumers of wine have been millennials. While millennials drink less wine than the previous generation, when they do, they are more adventurous, and willing to try new varieties such as País.

About Wines of Chile: The mission of Wines of Chile is to promote the quality and image of Chilean wines throughout the world. With offices in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Chile, the organization, working closely with ProChile, develops and offers promotional and educational programs. Its members represent over 75% percent of Chile’s bottled wine exports.

Sokol Blosser to Launch First-Ever Oregon Boxed Wine Under Evolution Label

June 11, 2020 by evebushman

DUNDEE HILLS, Ore., /PRNewswire/ — Sokol Blosser Winery, one of the Willamette Valley’s pioneering wineries founded nearly 50 years ago, is raising the bar with the creation of Evolution boxed wines — the first-ever boxed wine from Oregon – set to ship in mid-July.

Photo from Sokol Blosser Winery Facebook page.

Evolution 2019 Oregon Pinot Noir and Evolution 2019 Lucky No. 9 White Blend will be packaged in 1.5-liter boxes that also feature a new contemporary look for the brand.

“We decided to seize the moment to innovate,” said Alison Sokol Blosser, CEO, Co-President and Second-Generation Winegrower. “The pandemic has changed the game in every possible way, and as we brainstormed out-of-the-box ways to adapt, we actually landed inside the box. Producing a boxed wine gives our customers great wine at a really friendly price point and it also fits our core value of sustainability. Consumer demand for value and quality is growing, so Evolution in a box makes perfect sense.”

Evolution 1.5L boxed wines are an ideal option for off-premise retailers to meet rising consumer demand in a rapidly expanding category. “This new offering is a first, and syncs up perfectly with two exploding categories in retail: ultra-premium wine from Oregon and wine in a box. This is the same high-quality wine that consumers know and love in glass bottles, and is now available in a convenient, sustainable format that stays fresh for up to 30 days,” added Sokol Blosser.

Not just a smart fit for retail, this format is also great for restaurants that are re-opening and/or offering carry-out meals. Restaurateurs will appreciate that they can offer a great wine by the glass with little risk of waste, and for those offering family meal deals and other creative menu offerings for take-out, a 1.5-liter box of wine is a natural addition to those orders.

Evolution Boxed Wines Feature New Branding
At the same time, Sokol Blosser will introduce new branding for Evolution to reflect a more contemporary look that fits the brand personality and appeals to Evolution’s core customers.

“Evolution has a fun and clever personality – not unlike our core consumers — and it is all about making the most out of life’s moments,” added Sokol Blosser. “Our goal with Evolution has always been to produce affordable, delicious, approachable wines that can be part of our customers’ lives, from an easy night at home to a camping trip or a special celebration. The fresh look of the box brings its personality to life. Plus, the Evolution name alone screams ‘newness’ and ‘what’s next?’ And in this case — what’s next is Oregon’s first boxed wine.”

In keeping with Sokol Blosser’s long commitment to sustainability, Evolution boxes have a reduced impact on the environment, packaged in recyclable cardboard boxes that also equate to reduced carbon emissions. According to a 2010 Life Cycle Assessment study commissioned by the alcohol monopolies in Sweden and Norway, a 1.5L boxed wine product will generate about 1/3 of the overall environmental impact throughout its lifecycle, as compared to a 750ml glass bottle.

Sokol Blosser turned to a partner in California to package its 1.5L Evolution boxes, so while both wines include fruit from the Willamette Valley, neither can legally include that AVA name on the package. The Evolution Pinot Noir, with a $25 SRP, will be Oregon-appellated and the Lucky No. 9 White Blend, with an $18 SRP, will be American-appellated. Both wines will continue to be available in 750ml bottles as well, and bottles will feature the new branding by the end of 2020 and early 2021.

About Evolution & Sokol Blosser Winery
Evolution, one of the Willamette Valley’s most evolutionary wine brands, was created by Susan Sokol Blosser in 1998, as she searched for a white wine that was light and bright and right for the spicy, savory flavors of the Asian Fusion food trend of the day. That wine was Evolution Lucky No 9 White Blend, a magical mix of nine varietals which is still a fan favorite. Since then, Evolution has evolved (pun intended!) to include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, a red blend and several sparkling wines. Evolution is part of the Sokol Blosser family of wines, based in Dundee, Oregon. Sokol Blosser is a certified B Corp (since 2015) and is the only winery in the U.S. to have received two “Best for the World” awards from B Corp in 2019. A multi-generational family business and now under the stewardship of siblings Alex Sokol Blosser (Winemaker) and Alison Sokol Blosser (CEO), Sokol Blosser will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2021. For more information, please visit EvolutionWine.com or SokolBlosser.com.

Bota Box Expands Category Leadership In Premium Wine In Alternative Packaging

November 27, 2019 by evebushman

NAPA, Calif., PRNewswire Delicato Family Wines, producer of Bota Box, the world’s fastest-growing Top 20 wine brand¹, announced today the launch of three new varietal wines under Bota Box’s premium bag-in-box Nighthawk range: Nighthawk Black^® Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, Nighthawk Black^® Lush Pinot Noir and Nighthawk Gold^® Vibrant Sauvignon Blanc.

The Cabernet is the first bourbon-barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon to market in alternative packaging, making it the first such entrant in a hot category that’s growing at a rate of 49 percent over last year². Nighthawk Black^® and Nighthawk Gold^® wines by Bota Box deliver bolder, richer expressions of classic varietals, backed by the renowned quality, value, and eco-friendly packaging of Bota Box.

Bota Box Bringing New Consumers into Alternative Packaging Category
“Bota Box is now the U.S. category leader in premium wine in alternative packaging, and its strong performance is driving the growth of the premium alt-packaging category as a whole³,” commented Jon Guggino, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Delicato Family Wines. “These three new Nighthawk wines build on the successful introductions of Nighthawk Black^® Cabernet Sauvignon, Nighthawk Gold^® Buttery Chardonnay and Nighthawk Black^® Red Wine Blend, which quickly became the fastest-growing wines in their segments⁴,” continued Guggino. The Nighthawk Black^® Red Wine Blend is the number-two best-selling 3-liter red blend in the U.S., after Bota Box RedVolution⁵.

Together, Nighthawk by Bota Box wines are becoming a powerful brand in their own right, with sales on track to reach one million cases in 2019. “The Nighthawk by Bota Box family of wines is attracting new consumers to the boxed wine category, and has strong appeal with younger Millennial and Gen Z wine drinkers aged 21 and over, who love Nighthawk’s bigger, bolder flavor profile,” remarked Guggino. The wines’ rich, intense flavors are reflected in the Nighthawk by Bota Box tagline, “Where Flavor Soars”.

Multi-Million-Dollar Consumer Ad Campaign Supports Industry-Leading Growth
Propelled by strong consumer loyalty and outstanding quality, Bota Box is now the ninth-largest wine brand in the U.S. by revenue⁶. On August 1, the brand launched a multi-million-dollar consumer advertising campaign with the tagline “This Is How We Bota.” Built around insights derived from consumer research, and validated by outstanding metrics for consumer favorability and recall, the ads illustrate how Bota Box wines unlock the potential to find good times in everyday moments. The “This Is How We Bota” campaign will run through the end of 2019 on major digital outlets, including You Tube, Hulu, and ESPN Digital, as well as social channels such as Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

Three Packaging Formats Offer More Portable and Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to Glass
Bota Box and Nighthawk by Bota Box wines are available in 3-liter cartons; select varietals are also packaged in 1.5-liter bag-in-boxes and in 500-milliliter Tetra Paks. Produced at Bota Box’s Certified Sustainable California winery, the compact, portable, shatter-proof bag-in-box cartons go where glass cannot, and use state-of-the-art technology that keeps the wine fresh for up to 30 days once open.

The packaging is also environmentally friendly: Bota Box cartons create 85% less waste than traditional glass bottles and are 100% recyclable. Made from unbleached, post-consumer fiber, the cardboard is printed with VOC-free inks and bonded with cornstarch instead of synthetic glues.

Delicato Family Wines launched Bota Box in 2003, taking inspiration from traditional Spanish wine skins known as “botas”, which were used to carry wine for centuries. Instantly popular among both outdoor adventure enthusiasts and eco-conscious consumers looking to reduce their environmental impact, Bota Box today appeals to a wide cross-section of wine drinkers who’ve come to trust the brand’s quality and appreciate its outstanding value.

The new Nighthawk Black^® Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, Nighthawk Black^® Lush Pinot Noir and Nighthawk Gold^® Vibrant Sauvignon Blanc are available nationwide for a suggested retail selling price of $22.99. Each 3-liter carton contains the equivalent of four 750ml bottles of wine.

For more information about Bota Box wines and Nighthawk by Bota Box, visit www.botabox.com or www.facebook.com/botabox.

ABOUT DELICATO FAMILY WINES
Delicato Family Wines is a fourth-generation, family-owned company founded in 1924 and has grown to be one of the U.S.’s fastest-growing top-ten wine companies. Delicato’s diversified portfolio of leading brands includes Bota Box, Noble Vines, Gnarly Head, Z. Alexander Brown, Black Stallion, 1924, Three Finger Jack, Toad Hollow, Mercer Bros., Santa Rita 120 (Chile) and Schmitt Söhne Family Wines (Germany). Transcendent Wines, Delicato’s Fine Wine Sales & Marketing portfolio, includes such luxury brands as Black Stallion Limited Release, Diora, Dobbes Family Estate Wines and Wine by Joe, in addition to imported luxury estate wines such as Schloss Vollrads, Franz Keller, and Bischöfliche Weingüter (Germany), Casa Real and Triple C (Chile), and Torbreck Vintners (Australia). For more information, visit www.delicato.com.

Vino Noceto adopts Boxxle 3L Refillable Wine Dispenser

May 31, 2015 by evebushman

Taking the stigma out of box wine with a premium Sangiovese in a box

Plymouth, California – Vino Noceto, a small, family-owned Amador County winery producing world-class wines from Sangiovese and other Italian varieties, announces the release of their 2013 Noceto Sangiovese in a 3-liter box format using a Boxxle refillable wine dispenser. The release of this package allows access to their flagship Sangiovese one glass at a time without fear of oxidation in an attractive and elegant format for both bar service and at home consumers.

“I am excited that our 2013 Noceto Sangiovese will reach a wider audience and have a smaller environmental impact,” remarked Gregg Lamer, Vino Noceto Sales and Marketing Director. “While bag-in-box wines are making strides in terms of quality and presentation, this is a significant step towards aligning wine quality and presentation. Great wine deserves great packaging, and this 3-liter wine dispenser makes sharing Vino Noceto Sangiovese with friends, family, and customers very easy and very attractive.”

Thanks to the 3-liter dispenser, 2013 Noceto Sangiovese wines stay fresh for up to six weeks, require less packaging overall, and cost less to produce and transport. Vino Noceto is utilizing Boxxle, a stylish dispenser for 3-liter premium bag-in-box wines, to present a high quality and attractive by-the-glass service both in the home and behind the bar.

For more information about the 3-liter 2013 Noceto Sangiovese release including a video of the device in action, please visit www.noceto.com.

About Vino Noceto:

The winery is located in the Shenandoah Valley in Amador County and is one of very few wineries in California to successfully make and market wines crafted almost entirely from Italian varieties, particularly Sangiovese. “Noceto” means walnut grove in Italian, and walnuts were a staple crop for the farm where the Noceto estate now stands. Vino Noceto is open daily from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and located at 11011 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA 95669. They can be reached at (209) 245-6556 or vino@noceto.com