Showing posts with label Wood Wine Crate and box profiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wood Wine Crate and box profiles. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Chateauneuf Du Pape Beaucastel

Chateauneuf Du Pape Beaucastel Wooden Wine Box



Beaucastel brings back fond memories. It was the first wine box we sold when Winepine started 11 years ago. The beautifully decorated cote of arms design always takes me back to that time.

Chateaneuf Du Pape Beaucastel is among the most revered vineyard in all of Rhone. Not much has changed throughout the near millennia since it's land has been producing wine in modern France. Although the Beaucastel name wasn't truly established until the 14th century, it's quite likely that it's land was producing wine well before the 1st century. When you look at this wine box your looking at a tiny piece of recorded history.

Many of the ancient vines were destroyed by Phylloxera in the 19th century, but since the replanting a few decades later the vines were restored to their former glory. I purchased a few bottles of 2007 for a Thanksgiving party and they were finished in the blink of an eye. Although it would've been nice to experience wine from vines dating back hundreds of years, I can't imagine the legendary Beaucastel quality to be that much more significant during any period of time.

Country: France

Region: Rhone

Sub-Region: Chateauneuf Du Pape

Established: 1321

Production: 8,000 cases averaged among 5 different single vineyard plots

Grape: Makes both Rhone grape varietal reds and whites

Box design: Historic Beaucastel Cote of Arms engraved on the front side

Rarity: Fairly. Some vintages are made without wooden wine boxes

Crate designation: Collector's ($35.00)

Our opinion/history: Chateauneuf means "New Castle of the Popes" and Beaucastel was the first Rhone vineyard in which the Vatican acquired to make Sacramental wine. There's a deep and rich history of this vineyard that dates back 1,000 years or more, and most of the wines from the region pair well with hearty meats.



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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

The Schafer Hillside Select Wooden Wine Case



Hillside Select is the premier wine of the Schafer vineyard portfolio. Just about every vintage wins awards, receives high accolades and averages 95 points. There's a fairly large production on this single vineyard, but vintages are held back for four years. 

It's possible to buy single bottles of Hillside Select in the open market, but it's unlikely that the original wooden wine case would be included if you bought 6 bottles. This is due to the fact that when a vintage is released it comes complete with the case. Individual bottles for sale at the moment are often the result of cellar liquidations or private buys of incomplete collections. In order to get your hands on an original wine case it will most likely need to be purchased separately from the wine.

Country: USA

Region: California

Sub-Region: Stags Leap, Napa Valley

Established: 1972

Production: Approx. 6,400 cases per year

Grape: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Crate design: Extra large flat wooden wine case with an exceptionally detailed picture of the vineyard engraved on the flip-top style lid. Two of the other short sides of the crate are engraved with the vineyard logo lettering.

Rarity: Uncommon due to the fact that Hillside Select is all-Cabernet Sauvignon and designed to be put down for 20 years to peak. This means that most past and future wooden wine cases of Hillside Select will be cellared and saved for either auction or optimal drinking conditions.

Crate designation: Exclusive ($75.00) 

*We don't have any in stock

Our opinion/history: The Hillside Select wooden wine case is highly durable, thick, heavy and ornate. The Stag's Leap region is the birthplace of Napa Cult Wines and everyone loves them. When we're able to acquire 1 or a few of these cases they sell out quickly.


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Monday, October 12, 2015

Bouchard Pere & Fils Wooden Wine Crate

Bouchard Pere & Fils

Without a doubt, the Bouchard Pere & Fils is my favorite wooden wine crate from Burgundy. It's not just my favorite, as the crate is often requested by our clients.

It's no secret that most wine enthusiasts love Burgundy wines. There's an old saying in the US wine industry that you start in California and end in Burgundy. Napa Valley has been relentlessly trying to change this, and to some extent they have, but if your a lover of the old world wine ways than the saying will remain eternal.

The problem with most original Burgundian wine boxes and crates is that they aren't generally ideal for home or cellar decorations; unless all of your friends are equally as savvy a wine enthusiast. The majority have only writing on them with simple designs at best. Their labels are elegant but modest. Very much like their wines. That's all well and good, but personally I love an eye-catching design.

In comes Bouchard Pere & Fils. It's quite possibly the most highly detailed wine crate in all of France. On top of that it's large for 12 bottles, has an intricately engraved picture on the long side, and has a slide-top lid. For a Burgundy wine crate It's a genuine anomaly.


Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Sub-Region: Beaune-Graves

Established: 1731

Production: Produces a variety of Grand Cru and Premier Cru in tiny single vineyards

Grape: Makes both Pinot Noir red and Chardonnay whites

Crate design: Highly detailed and intricately engraved picture of the estate and castle on the large long side.

Rarity: Very. Due to minuscule productions on small single plots, there's only a handful of these special Grand Cru wine crates released every year.

Crate designation: Exclusive ($75.00)

Our opinion/history: One of Burgundy's highest respected and most ancient vineyard/wine merchant. The Beaune region was founded by Julius Caesar, and supposedly the Bouchard property was producing wines for Joan of Arc's army.


Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Screaming Eagle Wine Wooden Case



Screaming Eagle

The Screaming Eagle vineyard has a tiny production and a long waiting list. Right now you can only buy Screaming Eagle new releases if you subscribe to the waiting list which is 2 years long. It is possible to buy a bottle at auction or in the open market, but the cost per bottle is over $1,000 for any given year. Much more for better vintages.

The winery only makes 3 bottle wooden wine cases, except for 2011 where they released the "Second Flight" which was the only 6 bottle wooden wine box ever made. It was a vertical of different vintages and the demand was extraordinary. There are a handful of double-magnums made every once in a while and those command significant prices as well.

The lids of all cases and boxes are branded with the iconic Eagle. All four sides of the crates are engraved as well. It's an eye-catching and artistically designed piece. Most vintages receive a perfect score.

Country: USA

Region: California

Sub-Region: Oakville, Napa Valley

Established: 1986

Production: Approx. 400 - 800 cases per year

Grape: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc

Crate design: Large iconic Eagle on both sides of the flip-top style lid, and the Screaming Eagle lettering logo on all four sides as well.

Rarity: Nearly impossible to acquire. Investors keep the crate because a complete collection of the case and wine yields more at auction.

Crate designation: Exclusive ($150.00) 

*We don't have any in stock

Our opinion/history: Not only is there a waiting list for the Screaming Eagle wine, but also for the wooden wine cases. Our waiting list surprisingly goes back about 2 years as well.


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Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Sin Qua Non (Napa Cult) Wooden Wine Box

"Eleven Confessions" Oversized 6 Bottle Wine Box


Sin Qua Non

The Sin Qua Non winery wooden wine cases and boxes can be summed up as "Eclectic and Innovative". They are a renowned and limited Central Coast Napa cult vineyard, and their wine boxes and cases seem to change on a whim based on vintage and the 6 different grape varietals they craft. So far I was able to take a picture of 3 different wine boxes and cases which are: 
  • Eleven Confessions (Shown above), and there's actually two distinct designs for this box
  • Mr. K flat two bottle flat wine case
  • "Heart Chorea" 3 bottle wine case. 
These pictures can be found at the end of the post.

Sin Qua Non only makes flat wooden wine cases and wine boxes as of now. They don't make large wine crates. Their 750 ML bottles are over-sized, and they also make fairly tall half bottles (375 ML) 

Country: USA

Region: California

Sub-Region: Central Coast, Napa Valley

Established: 1994

Production: Approx. 3,500 cases per year.

Grape:


Reds: Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre

Whites: Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne         

Crate design: Varies a great deal. I believe different artists create graphics and designs for the vineyard on a regular basis.

Rarity: Very. Sin Qua Non is extremely limited and do very well at auction. The "Heart Chorea" wooden wine case and wine inside was numbered. Most investors keep the original wine in the original case to increase it's value.

Crate designation: Exclusive ($100.00) 

*We don't have any in stock

Our opinion/history: Sin Qua Non is one of my favorite producers of wooden wine boxes and cases. They are always very eye-catching and creative. The few that come in get sold within days and we currently have a waiting list on them. I always try to keep one for myself until a collector comes in and is willing to pay more than retail.


Mr. K Two Bottle Wine Case



"Heart of Chorea 3 Bottle Wine Case



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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Top 10 Italian Wine Boxes and Crates

The 10 best Italian wine boxes from Tuscany, Piedmont and Montalcino
 

Sassicaia - Simple yet elegant design with a branded lid


Ornellaia - Branded on the front, back side and lid with an engraved design of the vineyard
 
 
Castel Giocondo - Flip-top lid with beautifully designed embellishments on all four sides
 

Tiburzi Taccalite - Rare 12 bottle Italian crate, with unique style font text on all four sides
 
 
Poliziano - Branded engraved on all four sides with a small Baroque style design
 

Pieve Santa Restituta - Unique piece with Pergola style sides and lid
 
 
Bruno Giacosa - Another rare 12 bottle Italian crate made of Tuscan pine and tongue and groove corners
 
 
Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello Montalcino - Large and highly detailed engraved design on the flip-top lid
 

Michele Castellani - Classy font with imperial logo on the front and back sides as well as the lid
 

 

 Falletto - The only other 12 bottle Italian wine crate I know of. The front and back long sides are embossed with the large picture of the wineries vineyard
 
 
There are a lot of 6 bottle wine boxes, but not that many 12 bottle Italian crates. If you'd like to see our current selection visit www.winepine.com
 
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Chateau Y'quem Wine Crates and Boxes



Country: France


Region: Suternes


Production: Approx. 5,000 - 9.000 cases per vintage


Grape: Mostly Semillion


Crate design: Until recently, the Y'quem logo has been the classic Cote of Arms design. Some of the last and latest vintages have introduced a new, more simple logo which is a large Y with a crown above it.


Rarity: Fairly rare, as Y'quem has a very small production. Crates come in based on when they are released. This is generally once or twice a year.


Crate designation: Exclusive Class ($50.00)


Our opinion/history: Y'quem is one of two wineries designated as "Superier Grand Cru". The other winery with this designation is Cheval Blanc. Most of the clients that purchase wine crates and boxes of Yquem are private investors looking to complete their collection, but oftentimes people enjoy the previous Y'quem Cote of Arms logo for it's design. Since it's a highly esteemed and recognized winery, Bordeaux style wine cellar enhancements can also benefit as well.

Visit us at www.winepine.com to get some wine crates or boxes for your own unique project!
 
Patrick -
 
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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Cakebread Cellars Wine Box


The above picture is the Cakebread signature wooden wine box. I like it for a few lot of reasons:

  • The name: Wouldn't you love to eat a piece of Cakebread? It just sounds like it will be the perfect balance between sweet and scrumptious.
  • The grapes logo engravings are gorgeous: The grapes logos are deeply burned in, and give a satisfying feeling when you touch them. They are intricately designed grapes pictures in juicy little bunches.
  • The rarity. We get truckloads of wine crates every month. If we're lucky, maybe one Cakebread box will come in. When one does, it's immediately prepared for sale. We're usually backlogged on them. Everyone loves Cakebread, and all the private investors keep the boxes when they buy their cases.
These are the reasons I try to own as many of them as I can, but our director never lets me keep any because there's always a client that wants one. The Cakebread wine itself is great too, but you have to be a really heavy buyer of Cakebread, specifically Benchland Select (The most expensive bottle) until you get the original box. Buying a bottle or two every once in a while won't cut it unfortunately. Going to the winery itself with your order is probably the best bet to secure a Cakebread wine box for yourself. It's going to cost a pretty penny though..

The Cakebread wine box has thick sides of wood like most wine boxes from Napa so no surprise there. It's highly durable, and can withstand many years of shipping, handling and storage before it starts to break down. This is a major plus, because one day you may want to sell your Cakebread wine collection, and your going to do better at auction if you have the wine bottles inside the original crate.

If you'd like to purchase one from Winepine, your looking at the only one in stock at the moment. I e-mailed some of our usual buyers to see if they're interested,  but the current weather conditions has everyone just wanting to end winter. They're removing wine bottles from their collection to indulge themselves during these icy cold conditions.

Feel free to e-mail me if your interested in the piece. The cost is $100, and shipping is on me.

First come, first serve.

Dimensions: 13 /12" L X 11" W X 8" H

Includes: Lid and removable wood inserts


Visit us at www.winepine.com to get some wine crates or boxes for your own unique project!
 
Patrick -

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Saturday, May 18, 2013

Chateau Gracia of Saint Emilion


Picture of: Wine panel
Type:6 bottle
Size:12" L X 6" H
Country:France
Region:Bordeaux (St. Emilion)
Design/Artwork:Extremely high detailed picture of two cherub angels. The picture is painted art, with multiple colors and embellishments

Winery Notes/History: Chateau Gracia is a a rare cult or "Garage Wine" made in France. You generally don't see this type of wine style in France. The picture/logo itself is quite modern and unusual for the generally ancient St. Emilion. So few Gracia wine crates are made making this panel a very hard piece to acquire.

Visit us at www.winepine.com to get some wine crates or boxes for your own unique project!
Patrick -
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Monday, October 15, 2012

Chateau Carlmagnus Wooden Wine Crate



Winery: Chateau Carlmagnus

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Sub-Region: Libournais (Appellation: Fronsac)

Production: Approx. 1,000 cases per year

Grape: Merlot

Crate design: The front side has a unique Victorian style branding, which is the signature design of Chateau Carlmagnus.

Rarity: Very Rare. There are so few cases made, and most stay in France. Also, Chateau Carlmagnus wine is made to store for a decade or more. Most investors and case buyers keep the crate with the wine indefinitely.

Crate designation: Exclusive Class ($50.00)

Our opinion/historyChateau Carlmagnus is a small, boutique vineyard that has consistently scored highly from  
critics. The winery itself dates back to the late 1800's, and is associated with Vrai Canon Bouche and Canon Fronsac. The same family owns them all, and they're considered among the best in the region.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Cakebread Cellars



Winery: Cakebread Cellars

Country: USA

Region: Napa Valley

Production: Approx. 75,000 cases per year

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon

Crate design: Just about every Cakebread wine box is 6 bottle size with a slide-top lid. Three of the four sides have a highly detailed picture of the respective Cakebread single vineyard, and a deeply engraved Cakebread logo of a delicious looking bunch of grapes.

Rarity: Extremely Rare. Collector value on Cakebread wine is high and most investors purchase whole cases that include the wine box. You'll find filled Cakebread wooden wine boxes in private cellars, but they usually stay there forever!

Crate designation: Exclusive Class ($100.00)

Our opinion/history: Cakebread is a highly rated Napa Valley winery with a production model somewhat similar to Burgundian wineries. The winery has several sites around Napa that have single vineyards. The single vineyards of Cakebread are substantially larger then most wineries from Burgundy but the outcome is more or less the same: Somewhat different soils and grape varietals with a similar, but slightly different method used on each vineyard.

Focus on quality is huge for Cakebread. Grape varietals change every year based on the grade of the grapes. Even though a fairly large amount of cases are produced every year, the fine details aren't ignored.

As far as the wine box, Cakebrad is beautiful, rare and very sought after. Most are 6 bottle slide-top style with deeply branded and high detail designs on all four sides and lid.