Tetra Pak Launches First Domestically Produced Wine In Tetra Brik® Aseptic Package
Announcing all new Tetra Pak SlimCap as an added feature
VERNON HILLS, IL - Tetra Pak, one of the world's leading suppliers of food and beverage processing and packaging systems, announced its launch of the first entirely domestic wine packaged in the Tetra Brik® Aseptic Package. The Bandit Cabernet, a premium wine available from Three Thieves, California, is helping to redefine how vintners and retailers position and merchandise wine, while supporting national growth of wine as more than an special occasion beverage.
"This form of packaging is well suited for protecting wine's sensitive flavor profiles," said Jeff Kellar, Vice President of Strategic Business Development at Tetra Pak. "The lightweight, space-saving Tetra Pak cartons will better differentiate Three Thieves' premium wine brands on the shelf and make them extremely economical to distribute, store and stock."
With over 1.6 billion packages of wine sold annually, Tetra Pak has helped lead a global diversion from the historical perspective that wine always had to be packaged in a glass bottle. Beyond its unsurpassed ability to keep its contents from spoiling, the Tetra Pak aseptic packaging provides companies with excellent shelf presence and added consumer appeal, and ease of storage and stacking.
The Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet is not only the first entirely domestic wine product distributed in this packaging, it is also the first product in the U.S. to feature the Tetra Pak SlimCapÔ. This technology is comprised of a plastic screw cap, ring-pull and a standard PullTab.
Utilizing the new SlimCap provides practical storage and stacking, easy opening with tight re-closing to protect the product, and pouring control and accuracy. The package is also air-tight until opened, a valuable feature that standard cork and bottles can not achieve. Combining the new SlimCap with the technology behind Tetra Pak's aseptic packaging will provide consumers with a premium Cabernet in a more convenient, versatile and cost effective package.
Charles Bieler, Joel Gott and Roger Scommegna developed the Three Thieves brand after capitalizing on the surplus of fine wine around the world. The Three Thieves purchase supplies of high quality and premium wines from around the world, package it using Tetra Pak's aseptic packaging and other differentiating packages, and distribute the finished product to consumers at an affordable cost.
"Utilizing this type of packaging, we are able to cut costs, increase shelf life and provide a high quality product to consumers at a lower price point," said Bieler. "Tetra Pak's technology afforded us the opportunity to distinguish ourselves in our market, and ultimately fulfill our pledge to bring great wine to the average wine buyer and still offer versatility, convenience, safety, freshness and flavor."
Blended at Napa Wine Company in Oakville, California, the 2002 Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet, an $8-a-liter wine in a Tetra Pak container, will be available to consumers in April. The Cabernet is a perfect blend of Napa and Sonoma grapes – not the average composition of a boxed red wine – offering good depth to its pleasant plum, mocha and currant flavors. This premium Cabernet will follow the increasingly popular Three Thieves Bandit Bianco, also in the Tetra Brik® but packaged and imported from Italy and introduced into the United States in the fall of 2004.
About Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is the world leader in food processing and packaging systems. Best known for its aseptic technology innovations, Tetra Pak works for and with its customers to provide preferred processing and packaging solutions for food and is committed to making food safe and available, everywhere. For more information about Tetra Pak, please visit www.tetrapakusa.com.
About Three Thieves
The Three Thieves have been "liberating" fine wine all over the world and bringing it to wine lovers everywhere since 2003. Known as much for their innovative packaging as for what is in it, the Thieves have distinguished themselves through their originality and vision. Of course, having well connected friends did not hurt either. Learn more about Three Thieves and their fine wines at www.threethieves.com.
Source: Tetra Pak