Before comparing VineyardFresh and Coravin for on premise wine preservation, let's set some basic facts to set the stage. Specifically, that:
- Wine preservation can help you increase wine revenue
- Using a wine preserver in your business does not have to be expensive
- 100% Argon is the best method to preserve wine (it's all about the science)
- Using a wine preserver that is simple to use and minimizes labor is critical to running a profitable service business
With the above facts established, now let's compare two of the most effective argon based preservation methods: VineyardFresh and Coravin. How do these two stack up?
How do VineyardFresh and Coravin Compare?
What are all the factors to consider when comparing the two wine preservation methods? Here are the different criteria you can use to judge:
| Criteria | VineyardFresh | Coravin | Notes |
| Preservation Method / Technology | 100% Argon | 100% Argon | Both use the same / most effective preservation method - 100% Argon |
| Ease of Use | Simple | More Challenging | Coravin requires familiarity and practice with the device and components (both needles and cartridges) before proficiency |
| Speed of Use | Fast | Slower | Coravin requires more wait staff time to sleeve the bottle, pierce the cork, and pour the wine for each glass poured |
| Cost to Use | Very Low ($0.10 per bottle saved) | Moderate / High (approx $1.80 per bottle saved) | The Coravin device costs $150+, plus argon capsules $6 (see cost comparison) |
| Ongoing Maintenance | None | Detailed | Coravin requires maintenance and replacement of needles, bottle sleeves, capsules |
| Cost / Risk to Trial | None | Moderate | Coravin requires you to buy the device ($150-$800) before you trial |
Which is Better for On Premise Use?
We believe that VineyardFresh Wine Preserver is the better way to preserve open bottles of wine in On Premise environments. Why?
- VineyardFresh uses the same 100% Argon wine preservation method
- VineyardFresh delivers the argon into the open bottles in a way that is significantly cheaper
- VineyardFresh is easier to use and fast / less labor intensive
- While still enabling all the benefits of using a wine preserver to increase wine revenue in your business
You can increase your wine revenue through expanded wine by the glass programs (by expanded offerings in both more variety and higher price points), full bottle wine sales, and new and innovative wine promotional opportunities. And you can enable this without having to invest significant capital in a cabinet or device, and without slowing down your critical wait staff by requiring more labor intensive usage with more complicated operating procedures, routine maintenance, and required operating supplies.
For fast paced restaurant, club, wine bar, and tasting room environments, the faster and easier to use option is the VineyardFresh Wine Preserver.
When Does Using a Coravin Make Sense?
We believe there is a business case for using Coravin in an On Premise environment. Specifically, when you need to pour infrequently sold glasses of wine from very high end bottles. The Coravin is a great way to access special bottles without pulling the cork, allowing you to keep the "open" bottle in your cellar and corked tight until the next pour that might be weeks or months later.
The Coravin is a very effective tool in this scenario. But, when you want to use 100% argon to preserve multiple open bottles, and you need operating and labor efficiency to access multiple bottles quickly and easily, nothing beats argon canisters for efficiency and low cost to execute.
