201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949

www.ciatti.com

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Top Eight Wine-on-Tap Myths

Wine on tap has its fair share of myths. We at Free Flow Wines want to debunk those myths and help wineries, restaurants, hotels, and other venues expand their zero-waste efforts by switching their by-the-glass wine programs from glass bottles to steel kegs. 

Myth #1: Only low-quality wine is packaged in a keg & served on tap

Quite the contrary! Quality preservation is the primary reason for pouring wines on tap. If a winery wants to sell on-premise, they may choose to keg their wine instead of bottling it. The steel keg will preserve freshness from the first pour to the last. Bottles used for by-the-glass programs can be problematic for a variety of reasons:

  • Wine may be corked
  • Bottles opened for too long will oxidize the wine
  • Bottles are often not stored properly and can spoil the wine
  • Glass bottles can expose the wine to sunlight or heat
  • Staff may not be able to assess an opened bottle’s quality

All these factors impact the consumer and their impression of that glass and that wine brand. Steel kegs protect wine from temperature fluctuations, light, and oxygen. This means every glass poured is identical, and the quality is consistent.

Because of that consistent quality, many wineries choose to keg their wines for by-the-glass programs to ensure their consumers are getting the best experience with their wine.

Myth #2: There are more emissions associated with the transportation of steel kegs

Free Flow Wines specifically chose steel kegs because of their reduced carbon footprint compared to glass bottles and disposable plastic kegs. The combination of optimized logistics, reduced packaging weight, and reusable packaging — there is nothing to recycle or throw away — makes steel kegs the most sustainable package for wine-by-the-glass programs. Overall, there is a 96% reduction in wine’s CO2 footprint when packaged in a steel keg compared to a glass bottle.

Because sustainability is the driving force for Free Flow Wines, to help reduce emissions even further, Free Flow added a second filling station on the East Coast to make our already strategic logistics, even more, reduced-emissions focused. 

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The Truth About Recycling

While we all want to believe all items in our recycling bins are recycled, only 39% of glass bottles get recycled. This is partly because many curbside recycling programs are no longer taking glass: the glass tends to break in the bins and contaminate the rest of the recyclable materials which then diverts everything within that bin to landfills. Essentially 26 bottles are saved from landfills per keg fill. Now imagine how many are saved throughout the keg’s lifetime!

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Myth #3: Wine will spoil quickly

Wineries have used steel tanks as a part of their winemaking process for decades. Steel is the most reliable material because it creates an airtight, impermeable vessel for wine. 

Once a steel keg is tapped, the wine is still protected from oxygen, light, and temperature shifts. The wine quality is preserved perfectly until its last pour. This makes steel kegs one of the most reliable packages for maintaining the integrity of the wine.

Myth #4: All kegs for wine on tap are made from steel

Disposable plastic kegs do exist. However, steel kegs are far superior for maintaining wine quality and reducing the carbon footprint of wines served on tap. Not to mention, while advertised as recyclable, the PET disposable kegs are not actually recyclable in the US due to their large format and the multiple types of plastic used in their construction. As a result, most are sent to the landfill, chipped, or incinerated.

Free Flow Wines chose steel because it is part of the circular economy: it can be reused indefinitely. Businesses aren’t responsible for their disposal and businesses don’t have to worry if the packaging is recyclable. (Remember the single-stream bins we referred to earlier? There’s a lot of rules of what can and cannot go into them.)

This is one of the reasons Free Flow Wines chose steel kegs and aluminum cans as alternative packages for wine. Our steel kegs are reusable for 30+ years and both steel and aluminum are 100% recyclable. And, unlike plastic, they are both cheaper and more energy-efficient to recycle than producing new materials.

Myth #5 – It’s expensive to install draft lines

There are a variety of dispense options for draft wines. Many of them are mobile, so retrofit or additional space for refrigeration isn’t necessary. Most accounts see a return on investment within six months of adding wine on tap. Free Flow Wines offers financing programs to help with the initial investment. 

Other cost-effective solutions include converting existing beer taps to dispense wine or opting for a no-install, Bar-Top Unit. Free Flow Wines has lease-to-own options for these units, so accounts can start serving wine-on-tap immediately.

Myth #6: Kegging outside my state means I can’t label my wine from my region

Kegs need a keg collar with specific TTB requirements that will include the city your wine was packaged in. However, that keg collar is for legal purposes only and stays with the keg. It is not meant for consumers to see. Instead, consumers will see a wine-on-tap menu.

Depending on the wine menu, customers will likely see your wine’s brand, varietal, vintage, appellation, and winery location. Your customers will see where you and your wine are from but not where it was packaged.

Myth #7: Keg logistics are a hassle 

Free Flow Wines’ winery partners don’t have to coordinate the logistics of the steel kegs. Wineries can simply ship their wine to us and then we do the rest! On-premise establishments will then work with the distributors on delivery and pick up. Learn about our no-hassle logistics here.

Myth #8: Toxic chemicals are used to clean wine kegs

Free Flow Wines exclusively packages wine and wine only. The materials used to clean kegs are the same materials used in winery cellars. Our kegs are rinsed with water, cycled with caustic & citric, and sterilized with steam. 95% of our wastewater is reclaimed in our closed-loop water reclamation system ensuring limited waste and water usage without compromising the integrity of the wine.

Wine in a steel keg has many valuable qualities from freshness to sustainability. It’s a package that delivers a by-the-glass wine experience without compromising quality or the environment.

Want to know more about wine in steel and wine-on-tap? Call us directly at 855.KEG.WINE or submit a quote inquiry here

steel steel kegs wine on tap draft wine packaging fresh wine

About

Ciatti's roots in the California Wine industry span over a half a century. In 2006 Joe Ciatti retired. A new ownership group carries on with a blend of considerable experience and a fresh vision for the future. Ciatti is the largest and most comprehensive bulk wine, juice and grape brokerage in the world.

With 8 offices world wide, Ciatti serves our clients with the most up-to-date and accurate market information available. Please contact us with any questions. We are truly at your service.

 

Greg Livengood

President, Partner and Broker

Greg joined Ciatti in 1994 and became a partner in 1997. Greg has used his degree in International Relations to build Ciatti into the world recognized leader in the alcohol beverage business. Greg is currently the President and CEO of the company and drives the international group.

Email:greg@ciatti.com

Steve Dorfman

Partner and Broker

Steve Dorfman joined Ciatti in 2007 after working with the Brown-Forman Corporation, Fetzer Vineyards, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Bolla Wine brands for 24 years. His primary responsibilities are wine and grape sales within California, and the supply demands of markets throughout Europe, South Africa and Australia.

Email:steve@ciatti.com

John Ciatti



John White

Partner and Broker

Ciatti has a long history of seeking to provide clients with a well rounded team of brokers whose experience in the industry cover the breadth of the business. John joined the company in 2003 after working as a Winemaker for several of California's major producers for 20 years. John's emphasis is maintaining relationships with California wineries ranging from the largest to the smallest. John has focused on all aspects of growth within the business, from long-term custom crush contracts to spot bulk wine and grape sales. His speciatly is the sourcing and selling of premium varietal lots from the coastal and interior regions of California.

Email:johnw@ciatti.com

Chris Welch

Partner and Broker

Chris Welch joined Ciatti in 1994, and began brokering bulk wine and grapes in 2003 and became a partner in company in 2007. The premium and super premium segment of the California wine industry are the breeding grounds of innovation and where Chris truly excels. His consistent approach helps small and medium size wineries and negotiants achieve the innovation and growth they seek. Chris also works very closely with the Oregon Wine Industry.

Email:chris@ciatti.com

Glenn Proctor

Partner and Broker

Glenn Proctor joined Ciatti in 2003 and became a partner in 2007. Glenn advises wineries on supply positioning and works closely with growers and wineries in marketing their grapes and wine. He specializes in spot and contract bulk wine and grapes sales from all regions of California. He has over 23 years of experience in wine supply strategy, wine-grape quality improvement, brand strategy, and business development. Glenn was previously the Vice President of Winegrowing for Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines, and before that was a Director at Benziger/Glen Ellen Winery during its rapid growth in the early 1990's.

Email:glenn@ciatti.com
Johnny Leonardo

Broker

Johnny Leonardo joined Ciatti in 2004 as a broker and knows that surviving in a dynamic wine industry requires one to be a Jack-of-all-Trades. He has experience in all aspects of winery and vineyard operation, from the field to the street. Johnny has developed and managed vineyards, and worked in wine sales and marketing.

Email:johnny@ciatti.com

Andy Bivona

Broker

Andy joined Ciatti as a broker in 1996. His areas of expertise and responsibility include grape and fruit concentrates, beverage and industrial alcohol, fruit alcohol and brandy, and food specialty products. Andy's knowledge of these products has allowed him to branch out and work throughout various parts of the world including Mexico, South America and Europe. Andy remains a wealth of knowledge and offers a creative approach to all endeavors.

Email:abivona@hvc.rr.com

Todd Azevedo

Broker

Todd Azevedo joined Ciatti in 2004 after completing his Agricultural Finance degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Although Todd brokers wine, grapes, and wine products throughout the state of California, Todd's focus is on the California Central Coast.

Email:todd@ciatti.com

Cindy Hansen

Finance Manager

Joined Ciatti in 1984.

Email:cindy@ciatti.com

Lora Parnell

Sales Support Manager

Joined Ciatti in 2000.

Email:lora@ciatti.com

Jed Lucey

Customer Account Representative - North America

Joined Ciatti in 2003.

Email:jed@ciatti.com

Mark Ishimaru

Customer Account Representative - North America

Joined Ciatti in 2011.

Email: mark@ciatti.com

Molly Richardson

Customer Account Representation - Grower Accounts

Joined Ciatti in 2016

Email: Molly@ciatti.com

 

Alette Roberts

Administrative/Accounting Assistant

Joined Ciatti in 2000.

Email:alette@ciatti.com
Michael Fung

Customer Account Representative - Sample Room

Joined Ciatti in 2013.

Email: michael@ciatti.com

 

Contact

Contact List

Title Name Email Phone Extension
Partner/Broker John Ciatti john@ciatti.com 4152640762
Partner/Broker Steve Dorfman steve@ciatti.com 7073213843
Partner/Broker Greg Livengood greg@ciatti.com 4154975032
Partner/Broker Glenn Proctor glenn@ciatti.com 7073370609
Partner/Broker Chris Welch chris@ciatti.com 4152988316
Partner/Broker John White johnw@ciatti.com 4152500685
Broker Todd Azevedo todd@ciatti.com 4152656943
Broker Johnny Leonardo johnny@ciatti.com 4157174438
Broker Dennis Schrapp dennis@ciatticanada.com 9059338855

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CIATTI Global Wine & Grape Brokers 201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato CA United States of America 94949

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