Intelligent label manufacturer Avery Dennison Corporate has partnered with blockchain company Everledger to develop a traceability and provenance-tracking wine blockchain solution for the wine and spirits industry.

The partnership will initially launch with Appellation Earth wines from Napa Valley by US-based wine négociant Wine Trade Network, combining Avery Dennison’s intelligent labelling solutions with Everledger’s blockchain-based platform.

Avery Dennison marketing director Mariana Rodriguez said: “Over the past few years, companies have continued to see a rise in counterfeit wine and spirits being sold.

“According to the International Centre for Alcohol Policies, 30% of alcohol consumed worldwide is counterfeit. Avery Dennison intelligent label solutions provide an opportunity to bring new technologies together for brands and consumers to feel confident about the product being purchased.”

Wine blockchain: from grape to bottle

The companies’ solution sees highly-secured, non-copy and tamper-resistant inlays with near field communication (NFC) technology joined to specific bottle labels. This provides them with a unique digital identity to enable the capture of chain-of-custody data throughout the supply chain using supporting blockchain technology. This allows customers to follow the journey of their wine from grape to bottle and provides confidence in authenticity.

Everledger senior executive vice president Scott Austin said: “Our pioneering work in digital provenance has advanced industries, through greater transparency, efficiencies, collaboration and trust. We are pleased to have the opportunity to further establish our work in the wine industry with this innovative joint solution, bringing the full benefits of blockchain directly to the consumers.

“Combining blockchain with NFC technology to permanently secure the provenance of wines further provides added confidence in the provenance data captured and tracked through our platform. From there, the value and reputation of the wines from producer to consumer is protected, enhancing trust and confidence in the authority and value of their purchase.”

The partnership will launch industry-wide this year and is the first expansion of Avery Dennison’s Janela Smart Products Platform outside of apparel and footwear and Everledger’s first venture into the wine sector.

Wine Trade Network president Steve Schepman said: “Wine Trade Network is launching our Appellation Earth wine brand with NFC and blockchain technologies and is pleased to be the first in the US wine market to launch on the Janela Smart Products platform, powered by Everledger.

“We are keen to be part of the collaboration in starting the innovative use of intelligent labelling while addressing the problem of counterfeit wine consumption. Appellation Earth is authenticated as a Blend of Napa Valley Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Syrah.”