Our readers answered this question in a more personal way than we expected that reflects their philosophy and attitude towards wine making as a whole.
The answers fell into three broad categories;
- INNOVATIONS WE EMBRACED
- WHY INNOVATE A PERFECT PROCESS!
- MORE SCIENCE & BETTER EQUIPMENT!
The answers reflect a wider debate in an industry that is based on tradition, what traditions to keep and what change to embrace. From labels, closures and bottles to mechanization and virtual wineries.
While working on this issue our writer Michael Botner visited Culmina Family Estate Winery started by Don and Elaine Triggs. This new boutique winery made choices when building their winery and creating their wine that seem to directly reflect the answers we received from our readers. Blending traditional technology and new innovation, even including a 'Leading Edge Technology' and 'Simple Technology' section on their website.
Their philosophy revolves around two principles: gentle handling of fruit and minimal intervention of wine at every stage in the process, using both state of the art and simple technologies to achieve this goal.
Innovations We Embraced
Labels That Are Fun, Not Snobby
Labels That Are Fun
Screw Caps
The Stelvin® screw cap closure for wine was created in the 1960s and is now used globally.
Combines a glass finish known as BVS, specific head-space & capping conditions and highly technical liners which are tailor-made for wine, resulting in high quality.
Screw Top
Benefits for Wine Makers
- Absence of cork taint means a reduction in wine spoilage
- Consistency from one bottle to the next
- Preservation of aromas, flavors and freshness
- Easy to open and to close
Keg Wine a Great Idea!
Kegs also represent an important step in reducing the carbon footprint by decreasing the cost of transportation and avoiding the recycling associated with bottles. A single keg will potentially eliminate 3,000 bottles from the wine distribution process.
Returnable Stainless Kegs
This process of kegging, preserving and serving wine-on-tap has been vetted and approved by the world’s most respected wineries.
Wine Kegs
More than 150 wines are now available in FreshTAP stainless steel kegs and the system provides hospitality locations throughout Canada with an easy solution for delivering wine-on-tap to their customers.
Wine-on-tap from stainless steel kegs provides a sustainable, environmentally friendly wine delivery system.
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a new operational expansion in Ontario, FreshTAP is both the pioneer and leader in the wine-on-tap movement in Canada.
"Why Innovate a Perfect Process!"
No Manipulation!
Neighbours helping neighbours making better wine!
Having a winery without owning a single grape plant is quite innovative... There is a big difference in a winery versus someone who [just} blends and sells. The winery with the vines should get a little more respect.
"More Science & Better Equipment!"
Easier wine processing equipment.
More high tech replacing manpower.
Cellar ingredients and knowledge improving.
Appearance of new wineries and high end facilities.
Improvements in understanding of viticulture especially proper siting of vineyards.