Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/620640
"I thought that was so fascinat- ing," she said. "People want to know (this information), just like we want to know where our food comes from." Cork Supply in Benicia, Calif., s u p p l i e d a n d l a s e r- p r i n t e d t h e corks. "They were so excited, and thought it was such an innovative concept," Stare Wallace said. (Dry Creek Vineyard has a patent pend- ing for the idea.) TELLING A SPECIFIC STORY So far, Stare Wallace said, the feedback from the industry and from the winery's visitors has been plentiful and positive. "I think the trade and those involved in selling wines really appreciate the techni- cal information, because it helps them to be an expert on the wine," she said. Despite the initial success of the information-packed label design, Stare Wallace doesn't necessarily think Dry Creek is at the forefront of a labeling trend. Winery own- ers and winemakers will need a compelling story and a willingness to share their production process for a similar label to work. "I think you have to be really confident and have a lot of integrity in your wine- making," she said, "and be willing to share that." While some may find the techni- cal information on the new labels intimidating, the Dry Creek Vine- yard team wasn't afraid of appeal- ing to specific consumers at the risk of alienating others. "We are one family-owned winery trying to stand out in a sea of wines, and we're doing it by not compromising our standards and values," Stare Wallace said. "That's why I want to put that on my label." Danielle Beurteaux is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, N.Y., who writes about drinks, business, investing and technology for nation- al magazines and websites. Comments? Please e-mail us at feedback@vwmmedia.com. Dry Creek decided to educate wine drinkers about natural corks by printing the infor- mation directly on the closures. w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m J a n - F e b 2 016 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 1 3 9