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36 W i n e s & V i n e s O C T O b e r 2 0 1 4 While it does look unconventional, Feinberg said, "We view Zork as a unique and appealing closure that benefits Pep- perwood Grove. Though at times the wine industry may be cautious in adopt- ing new technologies, our consumers embraced this change and we are experi- encing strong growth in Pepperwood Grove since we transitioned to the Zork." Cost is not an issue, he said. "Though the Zork Closure is slightly more expen- sive than cork and/or screwcaps, we believe the benefits of ease of use, reseal and recyclability offer our consumers enhanced value and enjoyment." In Portland, ore., enso Winery has been working with Zork Closures since its 2009 inception, said owner Ryan Sharp. "When I made a barrel of wine at home, I did a test patch with natural and synthetic corks as well as Zork. Turns out Zork held the best and most consistent results." All enso wines—from $14 house blends through $40 reserve—are sealed with Zork Closures. "We've found that most consumers are pretty accepting to new types of closures. No instructions, really, as it's a fairly straightforward product," Sharp observed. Bottling is all done on-site, and all by hand. Sharp uses a heavy-duty bench cap- per designed primarily for brewers to apply the Zorks. "easy as could be. I will say that every once in a while we bottle wines for friends, and they use a floor corker...and it just reminds me how easy Zork is to apply," Sharp said. "So much of this is about aesthetics and branding. our brand is super-tight and clean, with a modern, Zen look. All our bottles are silkscreened, so the Zork fin- ishes our bottle well. But if you were doing a cream paper label and trying to be classic, Zork probably wouldn't really work. It needs to be an asset to the whole package, not a liability," Sharp advised. Extremes are not unattainable These examples of extreme packaging require imagination—not necessarily additional costs. If your winery label is looking stale, or you want to introduce a new brand, industry suppliers are avail- able to bring life to your vision. Bottom line: Wineries that explore all their options can create successful brands that are appealing to consumers and kind to the bottom line. oregon's Enso Winery uses a bench-mount- ed hand-capper to apply its Zork closures. C O V E R S T O R Y