Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/975273
May 2018 WINES&VINES 39 Bottle distributors Smaller wineries are so profuse that contacting them directly can be time-consuming, and glass is no longer their solo op- tion for bottles. "Amcor Rigid Plastics sells stock bottles (187 ml and 750 ml) through distributors including TricorBraun, Berlin and Waterloo to service small producers. We also connect winemakers with our network of third-party fillers," said Emily Work, senior marketing manager. "Our research shows small wineries are exploring alter- native packaging and PET bottles are among those." Amcor exhibits at trade shows and attends other industry events to help educate the market about the benefits of PET bottles. "The shift for wineries to sell direct to consumer has opened new pathways for plastic bottles," Work added. PET bottles allow wineries to save significantly on costs tied to secondary packaging and shipping, since they are lighter and less fragile. Glass bottles typically weigh between two and five pounds when filled; plastic, around 1.2 pounds filled. The difference con- tributes to savings of 20-40 percent via standard ground shipping. PET bottles have a lower car- bon footprint than glass because less energy is used to produce and recycle the bottles, Work said. Plastic is also more widely ac- cepted at local recycling centers. Overstock inventory All American Containers-West Coast in Windsor, Calif., maintains a no-minimum-order policy. Bill- ing itself as "a versatile company," All American strives to be a one- stop shop to service smaller winer- ies with glass, corks, capsules and printed cases, according to Steph- anie Ramczyk, business develop- ment. The company reaches out through smaller trade associa- tions, "but the best way is simply word-of-mouth," she said. The company often helps to focus smaller buyers on current special deals on overstock inven- tory. "Sometimes we may have a particular item that has changed item numbers, or changed the fac- tory which we purchase it from. PACKAGING Ultra-violet printed glass bottles from Waterloo Container, which serves 750 small wineries. WATERLOO COTAINER