Thursday, April 11, 2019

Alternative Packaging from Argentina's Santa Julia

Who's been looking for wine distributed in alternative packaging to bring along during hiking, cycling, boating, or fishing trips? I know I have. And I recently received a strong contender from Winesellers Ltd. a trio of wines packaged in 375ml cans (SRP $5.99).  The wines are produced by Santa Julia, an Argentine brand that leverages their Mendoza location. The winery practices certified organic vineyard management, thus two of these wines are labeled Organic. The Organic Chardonnay provides a classic unoaked Chardonnay flavor; very refreshing with subtle depth and sufficient acidity. The Organic Malbec Rosé behaves again as expected, refreshing with layers of strawberries. However, the red Tintillo is the most interesting as the 50-50 blend of Malbec and Bonarda is fermented using carbonic maceration -- a process where the grapes are fermented intact order to achieve a fruitier wine. It's also designed to drink chilled,  or mildly so in my opinion. A fun wine.

Disclosure: We received samples from Santa Julia in order to share our opinion about their products, but this isn’t a sponsored post.

1 comment:

Brandmydispo: Custom Mylar Bags and Packaging said...

This is a great snapshot of how alternative wine packaging is evolving beyond novelty and into real lifestyle utility. For outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, boating, or fishing, traditional glass simply is not practical. Lightweight aluminum cans solve portability and breakage concerns while still preserving freshness and carbonation control when applicable.

The lineup itself sounds well positioned. The Organic Chardonnay delivering a clean, unoaked profile makes sense for a canned format since bright acidity and freshness translate well in smaller servings. The Organic Malbec Rosé also fits the outdoor occasion, especially with its strawberry driven character and refreshing structure. Those styles naturally align with chilled consumption and casual environments.

The Tintillo sounds like the standout. A 50 50 Malbec and Bonarda blend fermented via carbonic maceration is an interesting choice for canned wine. That method enhances fruit forward aromatics and softens tannins, making it approachable and enjoyable even slightly chilled. Wines designed for versatility in serving temperature often perform better in alternative formats.

From a broader perspective, this reflects a shift in how beverages are being packaged for mobility and convenience. Whether aluminum cans, lightweight cartons, or flexible barrier based solutions similar to those used in flexible custom mylar packaging, the focus is on durability, portability, and product protection without compromising flavor integrity.

Overall, this trio shows that alternative packaging does not have to mean lower quality. It can simply mean smarter design for modern consumption occasions.