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62 WINES&VINES March 2017 PACKAGING The glazed ceramic bottle was designed to be paired in a twin- pack gift set with the current St. Clair Port. The Kiva Moscato sells for $26 per bottle on St. Clair's website and at various New Mex- ico retailers. The bottles are imported from MKM in Germany and available in North America through Phoe- nix Packaging of Quebec. They are closed with a convenient swing-top "click lock." The wine- makers like this feature because the wines typically can be stored for six or seven weeks after open- ing. The opaque ceramic helps avert oxidation. MKM offers different molds and closures with varied textures and colors including faux wood. As with other fancy bottles, these require special handling on the bottling line. Bottling man- ager Jesus Granillo referred to the process as "all hands on deck." The limited bottling run typically requires two days. The clip locks are hand-ap- plied with care to ensure the closure folds in the right direc- tion, followed by the required tamper seal. The bottles, in gen- eral, are very durable and are handled much in the same fash- ion as glass. After thorough cleaning, they pass through the bottle washer and get a good look over from the QC depart- ment to check the quality of screen printing. Bottles run through the bottle filler "just like glass" prior to hand application of the clip locks. As expected, bottle price var- ies with quantity. For this kind of shelf-pop, "Be prepared to spend more," St. Clair Winery market- ing director Maritza Gomez ad- vised. "However, the instant perception of quality and imme- diate consumer intrigue a unique bottle like this exhibits is price- less." The package was designed by Daniel Gonzales, St. Clair's creative director. As with every aspect of the packaging process, using off-beat bottles requires deep thought and long-term scheduling. Winemak- ers who'd like to join the parade must think ahead. While these pricey bottles are not suited to every winery or every wine, they are worthy of consideration for special blends or wine types. They demand commitment and han- dling to achieve the luxury look that commands luxury prices. But should you choose to accept the assignment, these bottles are "keepers" in every sense. You know how good your Zinfandel is... Promote your wines to leading Zinfandel enthusiasts and extend your winery's relationship in the market. JoinUs! We are champions of Zinfandel— America's Heritage Wine Become part of our proud legacy zinfandel.org • 530-274-4900 Zinfandel Advocates & Producers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. ZAP is dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. PRIME COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN SONOMA • Owner-occupied • 4200 +/- sq.-. • Open Floor Plan • 5 Separate Perimeter Offices • Highway 12 frontage • Ample Parking www.SonomaCommercialBuilding.com Call Kathy Leonard at 707-938-8000 for appointment Kathy Leonard Luxury Property Professional License# 01371051 CAPS FOR CAP- AND-GOWN BOTTLES W hile researching this article, we encoun- tered a rarity: a still wine with a crown-cap closure. This Moscato from College Cellars at Washington's Walla Walla Community College is part of a curriculum designed by Timothy Donahue, director of winemaking and enol- ogy instructor at the school since 2010. "Currently we make 32 different wines across 24 different varietals from 14 differ- ent vineyard sources. I try to expose the students to a broad array of wine styles and work with them to make red, white, rosé, sparkling (traditional), fortified and ice wine. To teach, I have them use screw- cap, cork, Vino-Lok (glass) and crown seal to compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of each closure type for any particular wine." Graduates of this program should be well prepared to bring cre- ative energy to both winemaking and marketing choices. An opaque ceramic bottle and hand- applied clip lock make Kiva, a forti- fied white wine from St. Clair Winery, stand out as a unique gift.