Busting the Bottle: An Interview with Mai Vino
Cute handle, tho’!
We are suckers for alternative packaging options that make serving wine not only fun but better for the planet! Recently we spoke with the minds behind Mai Vino, a wine startup that features wines in 1.5 liter (10 glass) pouches that are easy to take with you and have a much reduced carbon footprint. We learned about why they went with a simple pouch, some behind-the-scenes info about how the wine is made, and what's in store for ‘24 (and beyond).
Miki from GoodWine: Tell us about your packaging! What other packaging did you consider, and what led you to land on this fun pouch?
Mai and Pam from Mai Vino: Our aim in designing the packaging was to make it simpler for consumers to enjoy a glass of wine while also minimizing the environmental impact of the wine. We landed on the pouch instead of the traditional bag in box because we wanted to reduce waste. Our thinking was that if there's already a pouch inside the box, why create more waste by keeping it hidden - thus, we liberated it from the box.
Miki: Love the waste-reduction element. What are some of the other cool features? Once it's open, can you secure the spout and pop it in a tote to take on the go?
Mai and Pam: The wines are great for people who like doing things. Many customers will attach the pouches to carabiners and take them on camping or kayaking trips. A tip one customer shared is chilling the wines in a stream or lake when it's time to pour a glass. And if you're a fan of Froze at the beach, Pam suggests freezing it. Lastly, if you want to repurpose the pouch, you can fill it with water and reuse it as a handy ice pack.
Miki: How did you calculate the carbon reduction percentage (80%)?
Mai and Pam: The calculation is based on the energy used to produce and ship glass. Our pouches reduces wine's carbon footprint because of the following reasons:
Reduced Material Use: Our pouches lighter than glass bottles, which means less material is used in their production. This reduces the overall environmental footprint associated with energy used in manufacturing and transportation.
Lower Transportation Costs: Pouches are lighter and more compact than glass bottles, reducing transportation costs and emissions.
Lower Energy Consumption: The production of glass bottles typically requires more energy compared to pouches.
Miki: Have you had any challenges with production or shipping? If so, what did you do about it?
Mai and Pam: We've had our fair share of challenges - from wine getting stuck in the Panama Canal for 60 days and getting fried by the heat to dealing with riots that shut down the ports. Unfortunately, you can do nothing about these situations besides ride the wave and work with partners you can trust and lean on.
Miki: Mai, you mentioned in an earlier conversation that you have a hand in making some of the wines. What has that been like, and which of the wines is your favorite?
Mai: I didn't intend to work on the blends with our winemaker, but the first winemaker I apprenticed with in the Finger Lakes was open to bringing me into the process. One of the most impactful things he said to me was, "Mai when I'm at a party, and I don't like the wines, I'll mix them." This offhanded comment create space for me to co-create with him, and we ended up blending Riesling with Sauvignon Blanc as one of our first SKUs -which is not a common blend. While our wines are no longer from the Finger Lakes today, I've taken that experience and today work closely with our winemaker in Chile to work on blends. In fact, our Sauv Blanc still has a small percentage of Riesling due to that experience.
Miki: Are there any new wines or projects on the horizon for 2024?
Mai and Pam: In 2024, we're looking at creating a heavier red. We are in the research phase, so you won't see that till 2025 :).