As the first and leading company offering “custom kegging” services to wineries in Canada, FreshTAP is continuously innovating and developing new technology to support the successful growth of the category and our clients.
FreshTAP’s founders have worked hands-on in every aspect of the wine-on-tap business and understand the importance of sharing this education to those pouring as well as consuming wine-on-tap. Therefore, FreshTAP has developed multiple assets and materials to help your winery or restaurant successfully communicate the many benefits of wine-on-tap to your customers.
Continuous marketing and sales support offered:
- Sales team training
- Distribution support
- Customized sales and marketing documents
- Testimonial Video
- Animated video
- Social media interaction and promotion
- Installation consulting
For more information on how FreshTAP can further support your winery or licensed establishment with the sale of wine-on-tap more effectively, contact us.
Smarter, Fresher, Friendlier
Did You Know?
Premium wine in stainless steel kegs never sees oxygen so it’s guaranteed fresh, eliminating spoilage.
Every new keg we put into service is like taking an average car off the road for 2 years.
FreshTAP’s reusable steel kegs reduce the carbon footprint of the same wine poured out of bottles over a 20-year period by 96%.
Each keg will save 2,340 lbs of trash from the landfill over it’s lifetime.
One stainless steel keg saves the CO2 equivalent to that sequestered by 28 trees.
Why Are Reusable Kegs Better
There is 30% reduction in CO2 emissions by using reusable steel kegs vs. 1-way disposable kegs to deliver the same amount of wine.
Wine quality – with no oxidation, our kegs ensure freshness longer than disposable kegs.
Because our kegs are reusable, there is nothing to recycle and less to the landfill.
A full FreshTAP kegs weighs 30% less than the glass bottled equivalent.
Standard size and fittings allow ease of use and familiarity for staff.
Zero plastic components which eliminates any risk of breakage or leaks.
Stainless steel kegs mimic the environment wine is kept in tank at the winery, whereas plastic kegs or bags allow oxygen to “breath” over time affecting wine quality.
FAQ
Q: What are the benefits of wine-on-tap from stainless steel kegs?
A: Wine-on-tap means a smarter, fresher, friendlier glass of wine. It’s smarter for the licensee as there are several cost savings involved with serving wine-on-tap from stainless steel kegs. Restaurants are able to increase efficiencies while completely eliminating packaging waste and spoiled product due to oxidation, breakage and corked wine. It’s fresher for the consumer, once a FreshTAP keg is tapped the wine will stay fresh for up to 6-8 months so the consumer can also be assured that they are enjoying a glass of wine exactly the way the winemaker intended. Lastly, wine-on-tap from stainless steel kegs eliminates the waste that comes along with wine by-the-glass. FreshTAP kegs can be re-used for up to 20 years and eliminate all of the bottles, caps, corks and cardboard that come along with traditional wine packaging.
Q: Doesn’t wine need to breathe?
A: Wine-on-tap is suitable for the majority of wines, specifically those that are often used on by-the-glass lists. There are some wines that are not ideal for wine-on-tap, especially those that need time to bottle age or need time to breathe and are not consumer-ready when the bottle is opened. That small percentile of wines are typically higher priced then those used for a wine by-the-glass list.
Q: What is the difference between the FreshTAP stainless steel kegs and a bag-in-box packaging?
A: FreshTAP’s stainless steel kegs replicate the stainless steel tanks used at a winery. A blended inert gas (nitrogen and CO2: odorless and tasteless) constantly blankets the wine, keeping it perfectly fresh. Bag-in-box packaging is not held under pressure with an inert gas and the plastic components and packaging are susceptible to oxygen pickup in the wine.
Q: How is wine-on-tap dispensed?
A: For starters….. no draft beer parts! There are three key components to pouring wine-on-tap. The first is all metal components that come in contact with the wine must be a 304 grade stainless steel. This is standard in the wine industry, as the high acidity of wine will corrode any other metal components. Next is wine specific tubing called Barriermaster Flavourlock tubing specifically designed to dispense wine. This tubing is impermeable to oxygen, preventing the oxidation of wine. Lastly, the wine it is pushed out of the keg using a blended gas (75% Nitrogen, 25% CO2 often called “Guinness Gas”). This blend preserves wine quality and freshness, ensuring the wine tastes exactly the way the winemaker intended it to taste – from the first glass to the last.
Q: I am a winery interested in FreshTAP’s “custom kegging” services, so how long does it take?
A: The process is very simple and we are here to help you. It typically takes a domestic winery client 30-45 days from when they first reach out to FreshTAP until the time their wines are packaged in keg and ready for distribution to accounts. International winery customers may take up to 3 months depending on the country of origin.
Q: Do I need to finish my wines differently for wine-on-tap versus in the bottle?
A: Yes. Wine-on-tap is usually consumed within 90 days of being packaged, therefore you may want to adjust sulfur levels accordingly. In addition, many clients focus more on fruit and less on structural tannins as kegs are not designed for aging.
Q: Is there a big enough market for me to sell my wine-on-tap?
A: With accounts installing new wine specific taps everyday, wine-on-tap is fast becoming the evolution of by-the-glass programs in a wide variety of accounts including casual and fine-dining. Contact our team for the growing list of accounts with wine-on-tap.
Q: Who installs the wine taps at the licensee?
A: FreshTAP works closely with third party installation providers, as seen on our Partners page, to ensure that the correct components are being used. If you work with an installer that you do not see on our website we encourage them to speak with us prior to their first wine-on-tap installation. They can provide your account with the right equipment for all installations, from a new build out to retrofitting any existing space.
Q: Who pays for the wine tap installation?
A: The cost of the wine-on-tap system is the responsibility of the licensee. That said, with the cost savings involved, the return on investment of the installation is typically realized within the first few months, if not a matter of weeks.
Q: How often do my wine lines have to be cleaned at my restaurant?
A: The higher acidity and alcohol by volume (ABV) of wine, versus the high yeast and sugar content of beer, keeps the wine lines cleaner for a longer than a beer line. FreshTAP recommends having your lines cleaned once every three months.
Q: What is the shelf life of a stainless steel wine keg?
A: Wine poured from a FreshTAP stainless steel keg is constantly held under the gentle pressure of an inert gas, preserving the wine perfectly for 6-8 months once tapped and preventing any oxidization.
Q: How much wine is in a FreshTAP stainless steel keg?
A: A FreshTAP stainless steel keg holds 19.5L of wine, which is the equivalent to 26 (750ml) bottles or approximately 130 five-ounce glasses. The 130th glass will be as fresh as the first.
Menu Resources
FreshTAP is a symbol of quality packaging for the wine-on-tap market. Our industry leading wine specific technology and our vigorous quality control standards set us apart from all other packaging systems.
The menu icon signifies that the wine will taste exactly the way the winemaker intended. It acts as the mark of freshness and the symbol of premium wines offered on tap.
Please let us know if you would like to request an isolated logo (available in multiple formats for your designer), please email cam@freshtap.com.
Showcasing the FreshTAP logo and tag line on the bottom of your menu builds consumer awareness and trust that your establishment is offering the highest quality packaging available in the most environmentally friendly way.
The FreshTAP icon is actively supported throughout social media, press and the web. The FreshTAP team will engage with consumers, answer questions, share relevant news and promote the accounts that pour wine-on-tap.
Download: PDF | AI | PDF (On Dark) | AI (On Dark)
Place this icon beside each wine-on-tap varietal on your menu. You can use this version on both a light and dark-coloured menu background. Place this logo and tagline at the bottom of your menu.
Place this at the bottom of your menu to act as a legend for the wine-on-tap icon above.
Download: PNG
Should be placed at the bottom of your menu to act as a legend for the icon. The following text should be placed beside in any style of your choice: “Wine-on-tap: a smarter, fresher, friendlier glass of wine”
Download: PDF | AI | PDF (On Dark) | AI (On Dark) | PDF (With Tagline On Dark) | AI (With Tagline On Dark)