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WineNik: Pointedly Unconventional (and Eco-friendly!) Wine
No Glass Allowed: the sign all of us who enjoy both the great outdoors and fine wine dread seeing.
That’s where WineNik comes in. With its unique Tetra Pak packaging, you need not worry about quaffing vino in areas where glass is forbidden.
WineNik’s story begins in the Pacific Northwest during the spring of 2006. While cruising around the greater Seattle area, friends Jarrod Boyle, Ali Boyle, and Darin Williams wanted to enjoy a beautiful sunset with a bottle of wine. They founded a great little spot, and that’s when they saw the sign: No Glass Allowed. They persevered, but while taking in the view of the Olympic Mountains over the water to the west, they were found and sent away, all because their wine was in a bottle.
Being law-abiding citizens, they left without fuss. But why, they wondered, should it not be possible to enjoy wine everywhere? This question drove them to start the WineNik Revolution, dedicated to allowing quality wine to travel anywhere.
It would take a special container to achieve the goal of taking wine anywhere. It had to be safe, lightweight and capable of protecting the wine’s flavor profile. After traveling, calling, and conducting market assessment, the answer was found: the Tetra Pak Prisma™Aseptic Container.
The Tetra Prisma™Aseptic package is extremely versatile, making it ideal in different situations and locations. The paks, made up primarily of paper, help to alleviate any safety concerns associated with glass. The 500 ml containers are octagonal-shaped and feature a screw-cap opener, called the StreamCap, which is tamper-evident and allows the wine to be easily re-sealed once it is opened.
Not only is the Tetra Prisma container more convenient for drinkers, it is more environmentally friendly as well. The paks require 90% less packaging than a traditionally bottled wine, and take up less space during transportation, conserving fuel during shipment. The Paks are 96% wine and 4% packaging, compared to a glass bottle which is only 60% product and 40% packaging. Made of fiber, the Tetra Prism™Aseptic package (fiber) is 74% renewable.
“We weren’t out to save the world,” said Darin Williams, President and Executive Revolutionary of WineNik. “We just wanted to drink wine wherever we went, within the laws of the community, of course. But when we found the best material to do that, it turned to be good for the environment. So we decided to do our part.”
Doing their part includes offsetting its company emissions related to employee travel, office space and equipment with Carbonfund.org. “Carbonfund.org’s Small Business Program was head and shoulders above the other carbon offset providers out here,” said Williams. “I could always call them—they were extremely approachable, and always kept us in the loop.”
Winenik currently offers two varieties. Rednik a playful blend with aromas of currant, blackberry, and black cherry that blend well with sweeter aromas of vanilla and toasted bread, pairs perfectly with barbecue, a hearty meat stew, or pasta. WhiteNik has lovely bright colors with aromas of pineapple, pears, and vanilla. It’s perfect as a cocktail or a complement to chicken, baked or poached fishes, grilled prawns, or pasta with a light cream sauce.
WineNik is available in supermarkets throughout the Pacific Northwest, and over the summer Williams anticipates it will be available in stores in the Northeast. For more information, visit http://www.winenikrevolution.com.
