2016 Market Watch Best New Wine Brand: Bota Brick

The 1.5-liter boxed wine has helped bring the category into new occasions.

An extension of the four-million-case Bota Box brand, Bota Brick depleted 160,000 cases in 2015.
An extension of the four-million-case Bota Box brand, Bota Brick depleted 160,000 cases in 2015.

Over the last year, alternative formats for wine have enjoyed a surge in attention as a host of canned and Tetra-Pak offerings hit the market. But one of the most successful recent innovations has come from a twist in the traditional bag-in-box wine package. In December 2014, Delicato Family Vineyards launched Bota Brick, a 1.5-liter boxed wine initially available in Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and RedVolution red blend variants (all $12.99). The brand depleted 160,000 cases in 2015 and is projected to rise to 240,000 cases this year, according to Impact Databank. The range is an extension of Delicato’s 3-liter Bota Box brand, which is one of the dominant players in the premium boxed segment and grew 27.7 percent to 3.9 million cases in 2015. Delicato has encouraged retailers to merchandise Bota Brick alongside 1.5-liter glass bottles, emphasizing the brand’s convenience and quality-to-price ratio. The 1.5-liter bag-in-box has also opened the brand up to new consumption occasions, especially outdoor usage and other lifestyle activities. Those occasions, as well as the environmentally friendly, 100-percent recyclable packaging, have helped foster support for Bota Brick among millennials. Delicato is committed to further innovation with alternative formats—select offerings in the Bota Box line are also available in 500-ml. Tetra-Paks, and the company has experimented with ultra-premium wine in 3-liter boxed formats as well. Delicato expanded the Bota Brick line with a Pinot Noir offering this spring.