A closer look at VOGA wine packaging
30 Jan 2009For some reason, probably because it is the only wine I mention available more widely in North America than here in the UK, my most popular and enduring post concerns the packaging of a wine called VOGA.
VOGA wine bottle
In the interests of giving readers a little more of what they want, I decided I’d buy a bottle when I spotted it in Canada recently, and find out a little more about it.
I’m still amazed, as I was when I wrote my last post, that this producer can make any money with what must be incredibly expensive packaging. It isn’t quite a diamond encrusted bottle, but the investment required to buy these unique bottles and add several layers of closure (see pictures below) must be awfully high.
One of the main reasons most wineries (whose margins are small compared to beer or spirits companies) use standard shapes of bottles is that they are produced in large quantities. This makes them easier to source, and cheaper – something rather important in these cost-cutting, margin-slashing times. However, clear differentiation is difficult to achieve on wine shelves so I commend them for trying.
I heard at one stage that these wines were to be available in the UK, but the importer mentioned at the time does not have them listed on their site, so I assume it fell through. My enquiries through the VOGA site remain unanswered several weeks later – not great customer service.
I don’t write tasting notes on this blog, but you can probably find some recommendations on Snooth, but the VOGA Quattro did match a spicy pork dinner well 
Layers of packaging 2 & 3 (Plastic Cap, Plastic Seal & Cork)
Tags: bottle, marketing, packaging, voga, wine
January 31st, 2009 at 6:32 am
Cork? Or plastic? The black closure pictured suggests plastic.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
yes, a plastic cork – a nomacork I think (another expense!)
February 9th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Wow. This blows my mind.
Many wineries won't go to the Alcoa Vino-Seal due to the cost (must buy bottle and closure together), this packaging has to be 2-3x the cost of that.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:01 am
agreed – I'd love to see the business model (i.e. costs)
February 9th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Wow. This blows my mind.
Many wineries won't go to the Alcoa Vino-Seal due to the cost (must buy bottle and closure together), this packaging has to be 2-3x the cost of that.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
agreed – I'd love to see the business model (i.e. costs)
December 29th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Not only a beautiful bottle (which is why we bought it, cannot lie), but an excellent pinot grigio…my family and I enjoyed it with a light, after-Christmas dinner. We're looking for more!
March 1st, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I live in the chingford east london and used to be able to purchase voga wine in Macro's they have now stopped selling this wine. Would you plese be able to tell me where this wine is available, as itsthe only wine I like.
I would be grateful for your help.
Kind regards
Annette Kent
April 10th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
i think these all are collector item … good
Singles
April 17th, 2010 at 6:25 am
Good packaging is an added attraction next to the product itself. A combination of both is a perfect match.