Dive Brief:
- Truett-Hurst Inc., a wine company based in Healdsburg, Calif., announced Tuesday that it will test out a wine bottle made of paper in the U.S.
- The bottle, branded under PaperBoy Wines, will be made from recycled cardboard and use a plastic liner, and Safeway Inc. has agreed to partner with Truett-Hurst for nationwide distribution.
- Virginia Marie Lambrix, a winemaker at VML, created the bottle designs, which will be featured with the PaperBoy-branded 2012 Paso Robles Red Blend and a 2012 Mendocino Chardonnay releases.
Dive Insight:
These wines are going to be priced in the $13.99-$14.99 range, which seems like a place where an earth-friendly packaging decision could entice some first-time buyers. Of course, the wine will have to be worth the purchase as well, but the concept looks inspired. At the very least, consumers will be getting some nice conversation-starters out of the deal.