Screwcap Initiative Goes Global

Paris, 5th January 2006

The New Zealand Screwcap Initiative has announced its decision to extend its activities by forming the International Screwcap Initiative.

This non-profit making association will unite some of the world's most prestigious wine producers in a unique marketing opportunity.  As Michael Brajkovich MW, chair of International Screwcap Initiative, clarifies, "By joining forces on a global scale, we aim to dispel, once and for all, the misconceptions that exist in today's market.  Our mission is not to sell more screwcaps, that's someone else's job!  Our mission is to ensure that consumers drink our wines in the best possible conditions, exactly how the winemakers intended them to be.  Screwcaps have been offering us that possibility for the past 30 years; it is now time to explain our decision to combat the reticence."

It will come as no surprise that Michel Laroche, who made the groundbreaking step of using screwcaps for Grands Crus wines in 2002, was the first international winemaker to back the initiative.  He has accepted the role of European Representative.

Lorraine Carrigan, who was closely involved in Laroche's move towards screwcaps before setting up her own PR firm earlier this year, has been appointed as ISI Coordinator.  Carrigan's initial role will be to enlist new members, develop an educational website that will provide essential information for buyers, journalists and consumers, as well as a technical forum for members.  As she comments, "Being a pioneer can be quite lonely.  The International Screwcap Initiative will allow members to lean on one another and learn from their combined experience.  This is such an exciting project as, for once, the Old and New World can work together for the greater good of the wine industry." 

The website is expected to go on line by February 2006.  Producers who are interested in receiving further information should contact Lorraine Carrigan on lorraine@carrigan.com.