Alternative to wine bottle

The Western Australian winemaker, Palandri Wine, has revealed the 'Cheer Pack' - an innovative wine product designed to suit modern lifestyles and address environmental issues. The concept is a plastic/aluminium foil combination packaged by Adelaide company Soft Pack Australia.

Cheer Pack has been 18 months in development and 3500 cases of Palandri's Baldivis Estate Cheer Pack have left for Canada - the first shipment of the new eco-friendly and resealable packaging ever produced.

Over the next six months, 15,000 cases each of Merlot, Shiraz and Chardonnay will be exported to Canada.

Palandri is currently in discussions with a major international airline interested in a space- and weight-saving alternative to wine bottles on long haul flights, says Palandri founder and CEO Darrel Jarvis.

"They recognise the Cheer Pack as an innovative and important development in the wine industry. The introduction of the Cheer Pack meets a strong overseas demand with our existing customer base and has enormous appeal in a number of new markets," says Mr Jarvis.

"There is a need worldwide for greater environmental responsibility and this packaging meets that need. The Cheer Pack's innovative design is small and convenient to carry, takes up far less space than a wine bottle, and also meets a lifestyle requirement."

Though the initial Cheer Pack design is 750 mL, it is possible to create any size from 187 mL up to 1 L.

Mr Jarvis says initial development of the product was fast-tracked by the Ontario Liquor Control Board as a result of their mandate to reduce landfill and introduce environmentally responsible wine packaging. Other Canadian states are set to follow suit.

Beyond the initial Canadian order for Ontario, there is also scope to take Cheer Pack to the UK and Europe.

"Ireland is one country we are exploring as a result of consumer preference for single serve drinks, to lessen risks associated with drink spiking. The relatively small size of the nozzle and the screw top closure are great innovations in terms of safety and practicality," he says.

Palandri chief operating officer Gordon Grant says the Cheer Pack is no different to bottled wine in quality and taste.

"We have been very careful to ensure the quality and taste of the wine packaged in the Cheer Pack is exactly what you get in the Baldivis Estate bottles," says Mr Grant.

"We have worked hard with the supplier of the packaging equipment and with Soft Pack Australia in Adelaide to ensure our quality control meets the same strict standards as with our bottled product.

"Over the 18-month development of this project, we have been evaluating the wine packaged in the Cheer Pack and have seen no deterioration in quality. While the shelf life of 12 to 24 months is shorter than some bottled wine, this product is designed for early drinking and is consistent with our target consumer."