The startup company behind a new bottle closure for wine, water and other beverage containers has won first prize in a wine innovation contest.
The Brancott Estate Winexplorer Innovation Challenge aims at discovering innovations that impact the global wine industry, and South Australia-based Vinnovate was one of more than 100 entrants in the challenge.
Vinnovate’s winning concept is a screwcap closure with a small, push-activated compartment within the cap that allows consumers to tailor wines to their own tastes, on-demand.
Its development was boosted after Vinnovate founders Simon and Joshua Schmidt won a UniSA Venture Catalyst grant last year.
“Being able to customise beverages is the next big consumer trend and we believe our innovation can positively impact how people enjoy and consume wine,” Joshua Schmidt said.
“Our new closure adds a functional element to wine packaging, meaning the consumer can tailor their wine to their own personal tastes, whether that’s to reduce the effects of preservatives in wine or to subtly enhance the flavour.”
The Barossa Valley brothers have already had a positive response from companies and industry leaders due to the trend towards consumer customisation.
Vinnovate was awarded seed funding through UniSA’s Venture Catalyst program and is based at the university’s Innovation and Collaboration Centre at the City West campus.
Simon Schmidt is also studying his MBA at UniSA.
