Napa Technology, Innovators of how wine is served, announces new long-term partnerships with Marriott International, AMC Theatres, Club Corp and Heinen’s Grocery Stores
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA (April 21, 2015)
Today, Napa Technology announces brand partnerships with Marriott International, Club Corp., AMC Theaters and Cleveland, Ohio based, Heinen’s Grocery Stores creating an a path for WineStation preservation systems to play an integral role in a projected 500 locations across the United States. These new partners join an already impressive client list of restaurants, hotels and cruise lines that rely on WineStation’s ability to accurately preserve, consistently dispense and report on wines-by-the-glass both in front of and behind the bar.
Wine-by-the-glass sales account for more than 50% of behind the bar profit and likely to expand with Millennials ages 21-34 showcasing their desire to take risk and invest in an expensive glass of wine. An increase in wines available by-the glass has caused the industry and consumers alike to take notice of the concept of wine preservation and automated dispensing. The announcement of these four key partnerships firmly establishes the WineStation technology as a necessary investment for the success of any wine program.
“The average number of wines-by-the glass has tripled over the last five years and it is no secret the largest margin of loss in most beverage operation’s lay within the wine program,” said Nick Moezidis, co-founder and vice president of sales, Napa Technology. “Couple that challenge with the rapid trajectory of wine consumption and significant shift in drinking behavior and suddenly on and off premise operators have real problems creating profitability.”
Napa Technology developed WineStation on the premise of problem solving through the ability to evolve technology meeting the real time needs of the industry. Added Moezidis “We are excited to announce these partnerships, as it showcases four truly innovative brands leading a trend versus chasing one. Intelligent preservation is no longer viewed as a nice-to-have, but a must have for operators to engage and sustain customer profitability.”
“At Marriott we always aim to exceed our guests expectations and the evolution of wine as an experience drove our decision to make WineStation brand standard and an integral element within each M Club Lounge,” said Bart Hosmer, senior director of food & beverage, Marriott International. “WineStation is the only technology available with the ability to deliver a top notch guest experience along with technologically advanced RFID and smart card integration across properties.” WineStation can currently be found in six newly renovated M Club Lounges with more than a dozen projected by this Fall.
The decision for Club Corp to identify Napa Technology as the preferred partner came simply says Jeff Zimmerman director of culinary development. “Club Corp has an extremely discerning guest, many of whom are wine connoisseurs,” said Zimmerman, “Many of our locations serve bottles valued at over $100 by the glass, which requires the protection and management that can only be offered by the WineStation system.” Of the 200 Club Corp.’s reaching from Coast to Coast, the WineStation can currently be found within16 including crown jewel locations Firestone Country Club and Mission Hills Country Club and have a heavy growth rate project through year’s end.
Movie theatres and grocery have also taken notice of this increasing trend to drive new revenues and retained guest satisfaction. AMC Theatres has 88 Fork & Film theatre concepts nationwide, which includes dine-in viewing and their restaurant and bar concept; McGuffins. WineStation has been tapped help expand AMC’s already successful beverage program with four to eight bottle systems elevating the overall consumer experience and brand quality. “The increase of technology at home has pushed the film entertainment industry to turn the movie going into a 360 experience that includes a delicious meal paired with incredible wines,” said Frank Lewis, director of beverage, AMC Theatres.
Heinen’s Grocery Stores, a collection of 22 third generation, family-owned and operated grocery stores in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and Cleveland, Ohio have found that introducing the 12-16 bottle WineStation into their wine department has not just increased excitement, but also revenue. “Heinen’s has a long history of seeking out and introducing our customers great tasting wines from around the world,” said Jeff Heinen, co-president, Heinen’s.
About Napa Technology®
Napa Technology is the designer and manufacturer of WineStation®, an innovative Intelligent Dispensing Solution, first introduced in 2005. Developed by a group that combines decades of business and technology experience, the WineStation® is a breakthrough product designed to drive revenues and maximize the profitability of each bottle through advanced wine preservation and automated dispensing. WineStation® enables on and off-premise operators to considerably increase revenue, at times by up to 50 percent. The software that accompanies WineStation® allows establishments to more accurately tailor inventory to customers’ needs and even offer self service samplings all the while guaranteeing accurate pours and reducing wasted product.
WineStation® has been adopted by the hospitality, entertainment, arenas and food service industries worldwide.