The opening of New Zealand's first screwcap manufacturing plant is a major boost to local winemakers and exporters.
Esvin Wine Resources, founded in 1993 and initially an importer of cork, was the first to bring premium grade screwcaps into New Zealand. Now the company, producing wine screwcaps under the brand name Alvis, is the country's first and only screwcap manufacturer.
Stephan Jelicich managing director of Esvin Wine Resources Ltd says local supply of screwcaps is critical.
"80 percent of all New Zealand still wine is now bottled under screwcap, so local manufacturing, with the sole focus of supplying kiwi wineries is critical.
"We've been working to develop this plant for some time. As a multi-million dollar facility it's a big investment for us, but it's one we are confident will pay off, both for us at Esvin and the New Zealand wine industry.
Relying on off-shore manufacturers was simply not sustainable for the New Zealand wine industry, he says.
"In addition to time zone, logistical and language difficulties, there are the delays ever present in dealing with imports."
Any problems in supply, or errors in production, took four to five months to rectify, he says.
"If you've got wine in the tank and the barrel ready for bottling, you just can't wait that long."
He says unexpected and unplanned export orders to local wineries could often not be fulfilled in time, due to the delays of off-shore manufacturers.
Winemaker Kim Crawford, the first major producer to use screwcaps, says access to locally made and decorated screwcaps is a major boost.
"I see two key benefits. We can turn around export orders in weeks instead of months. You wouldn't believe the amount of orders lost to import time lags. Now we can service and supply our customers, when and how we need to," she says.
"It's also good for small producers. Big overseas companies weren't interested in turning out the small runs that new and boutique producers needed their screwcaps in. Now the little guys get a chance to go to market with all the benefits of a top end screwcap."
Wither Hills managing director and founder Brent Marris, says the biggest benefit to him, is forging a close relationship and working in tight partnership with like minded people.
"We've worked with Esvin for more than 10 years and bringing this critical technology to New Zealand, allows adaptability in our production. Proximity allows for direct timely response and that means we can guarantee quality not just in our wine, but in the wine's packaging, presentation and delivery. Wine is a very competitive business and New Zealand producers need to constantly look for every competitive edge we can get," he says.
"Brand is critical to your success, so being able to stand in the production plant and sign off on my screwcaps, on the art execution and every aspect or decoration of that screwcap, is crucial. That we can stop and check, amend and adjust production as it's running is a long overdue service to local wine makers and marketers."
In what is believed to be another first, Mr Jelicich says the screwcaps also come with a 10-year seal performance warranty. "As far as I know, that is the first such warranty available anywhere in the world and when you compare it to the 48 hour warranty, which was the best we could do with cork, it shows the advances we've made."