France | Languedoc

Château Puech-Haut

Using Vinolok™ since

2010

Winemaking

Little sulphites (sometimes none). Rosé wines are made in fully temperaturecontrolled, stainless-steel vats. White wines are made in a pneumatic press with settling (one night in stainless steel vats, then some grape varieties are racked into new Bordeaux or Burgundy barrels, as well as into demi-muids). They are then matured for several months with stirring of the lees (bâtonnage), first daily then weekly.

Why Vinolok™

For Château Puech-Haut, Vinolok™ closures are a perfect match for their easy-going wines. They appreciate the certainty of absolute neutrality of aroma and taste, the ease of opening praised by their customers, and the great aesthetics.

About

Nestled between the shores of the Mediterranean and the foothills of the Cévennes in the Languedoc region of southern France, Château Puech- Haut was founded in 1981 by Gérard Bru. Originally an olive tree parcel that wasn’t part of the Languedoc A.O.C. classification, Bru was impressed by the area’s unique terroir, and believed it was ideal for growing wine. As a man of great resources and skill, he set about creating an impressive winery, and spared no expense. And he succeeded. The property was converted from olives to vines, and the farmhouse evolved into Château Puech-Haut, one of the finest estates in Languedoc.

Beginning

Mr Bru says that innovation is in the DNA of the estate. He is always looking for new ideas for premium cuvées. So, when he saw the glass closure on holiday in Corsica, he returned with a clear mission to use it for his wines. And success followed. The tradition of the Languedoc, the proximity to the beach, and the desire to keep rosé in their portfolio, led them to try the glass closure for aesthetic reasons, and to offer something innovative. And within three months of its launch in 2010, the 500,000 bottles of rosé were sold out without any effort. Customers were so enthusiastic about the packaging that they wanted to “buy it all”. The same goes for all of the restaurants that asked for Château Puech-Haut because of the packaging, because they wanted Vinolok™.

Experience

The Johnson Winery’s implementation of Vinolok™ glass closures was initially complicated by the need to perfect the insertion and sealing pressure. This issue was ingeniously addressed by incorporating a simple spring-loaded plunger, which ensured a consistent and effortless application. The transition to Vinolok™ was seamless, reflecting the winery’s objective of achieving a fail-proof and elegant packaging solution. The new closure was met with enthusiasm from customers, who appreciated the sleek design. The winery’s use of Vinolok™ is now a resounding success, with the closure being used across multiple wine selections.