De Bortoli wins Winery Innovator of the Year at IWSC

A revolutionary new screw cap has scored De Bortoli Wines the trophy for Winery Innovator of the Year at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition.

"We are honoured to receive this trophy for the unique packaging of our new Rosé Rosé and leading innovation within the global wine industry from farm to glass," De Bortoli said.

De Bortoli was the only Australian winery and just one of two wineries shortlisted for the award, which was launched as a new category this year.

The winemaker has been recognised for the unique packaging on its new Rosé Rosé, which features the first registered colour side-embossed screw cap in the world. With a rose inspired tattoo design, the closure decoration complements the wine variety and the shape of the bottle.

In presenting the award, the judges said “De Bortoli have produced an integrated innovation, a visual tactile way of bringing the essence of what's in the bottle to the outside.”

De Bortoli Wines worked with its supplier Interpack to combine several capabilities, including photographic printing, embossing and UV printing, into the cap where just the rose is embossed. Marking the beginning of a new wave of closure decorations, the label and the rose on the cap are aligned during the bottling process, presenting the brand personality across the entire bottle.

“From our iconic Noble One, to igniting Australia’s love of pale, dry rosé with the Rosé Revolution, we are constantly exploring new and exciting wine styles; wines that will inspire our customers," said Leanne De Bortoli, who manages the family’s Yarra Valley Estate in Victoria with winemaker husband Steve Webber.

"The beautiful screw-cap for our new release Rosé Rosé is designed to grab your attention and leave a memorable impression.”

Sponsored by Vivino, the Winery Innovator of the Year trophy was awarded to the winery that has done the most to improve production methods from vineyard to end consumer, using imagination and initiative, via innovative techniques in production, distribution, marketing or business model innovation - or any other method to champion winery innovation.

The winners of the International Wine and Spirit Competition were announced in London on November 14. Kim Wilson, Managing Director of North South Wines, De Bortoli Wines’ distributor for the UK market accepted the award on behalf of the company, congratulating the business on its leadership in winemaking innovation.