Zipz is a single-serving wine container. It’s shaped like a wine glass, but the lid can also be used as a coaster once it’s open. The main selling point of Zipz Wine is that the container is shaped like a wine glass, making it convenient to drink from.
The beverage is stored in a plastic vessel resembling a wine glass, complete with a screw-top lid and coaster. The idea is simple. The customer can unzip the packaging off the glass, unscrew the top, and attach it to the glass’s bottom like a coaster before drinking the wine. According to the business, the portable wine glass is leak-proof.
The Zipz wine glass is made from plastic that’s recyclable and BPA-free. However, it looks and feels exactly like an actual wine glass. Andrew McMurray, who invented Zip Wine, created it because he didn’t like the single-serving wine containers on the market. He also wanted a wine container that could easily be used in different events, like at a stadium.
Are They Still an Active Company?
Zipz went out of business in 2016. However, other beverage manufacturers can still use their packaging by acquiring a license.
How Did the Shark Tank Pitch Go?
Andrew McMurray came to Shark Tank seeking an investment of $2.5 million for 10% of the business. During his pitch, he placed a lot of emphasis on packaging and licensing, which was a key feature of his product. He demonstrated how to open Zipz packaging and even handed out samples to the investors.
The investors were enthusiastic about the wine initially; however, they had to assess it critically, so they asked him to differentiate it from Copa Di Vino– another single-serving wine container. To this, Andrew responded that Zipz wine glasses have a shelf life of up to a year.
They brought up Copa Di Vino because it was another wine company that failed to secure a deal from the Sharks. This was because they had a patent-related issue with the company that owned the glass brand. They held the patent to Copa Di Vino’s lid and tear-off design. However, the difference was that Zipz Wine’s tear-off design was very different from Copa Di Vino’s patented one. The packaging covered the whole glass instead of just the lid.
Kevin wanted some clarification on the patent; he felt they were priced too high at $2.99 per glass. He raised this point because he thought that people in America had already invested $9.95 into a large wine bottle and wouldn’t be willing to spend $3 on a single serving. The cost of making a single Zipz was only 95 cents, so when Kevin suggested reducing the price to $1.49 per serving, Andrew was a little hesitant. With product cost, this would be cutting into the margins.
Andrew responded by sharing that he’d already sold a significant licensing fee worth $130,000 to major baseball parks and a team of investors had already invested $8.5 million into the business.
At this point, Kevin and Andrew argued while Mark stepped out. Kevin also shared how he managed to get into Costco with another wine brand but was conflicted because of the price point.
Daymond wasn’t interested, and Lori thought the business wasn’t well thought out. Robert insisted that it would be better just to license out the packaging instead of making the wine themselves.
Kevin was interested in investing but on the condition that the price point is lowered; Andrew finally caved and agreed to do so. Kevin then offered $2.5 million for 10% of the company, adding that he’d also buy another 10% at $2.5 million if Andrew could get Zipz into Costco. This couldn’t have been hard since the product was already selling in almost 1200 stores throughout the US and had also already acquired a Walmart contract.
Kevin was insistent on Costco because when he tried to get O’Leary Wine into Costco, the one retailer that sells more wine than the rest of the competition combined, he had to make some things happen to get in through the door. The only problem was that even Kevin O’Leary couldn’t convince the Costco crew to budge on the price they demanded.
At the time, this was the biggest deal in Shark Tank history. It closed after Andrew discussed the agreement with his partners and agreed with Kevin’s offer.
Our Review of Zipz
We tried out Zipz for ourselves to see how it would taste in real life.
The good news is that the portable wine container was easy to open and didn’t leak. It was also durable because it didn’t break even after sustaining a fall. The design is attractive and makes it portable for concerts and sports events.
The bad news is that it’s expensive to buy and might be harder to carry in rough environments because it’s shaped like glass. In comparison, a bottle might’ve been easier to carry.
Zipz Pros
- Classy and durable design
- Made from BPA-free plastic and is recyclable
- Portable for events
- Leak-proof
Zipz Cons
- Expensive at $2.99 per glass
Who is Zipz for?
Zipz is ideal for wine-lovers who want a portable option for drinking wine while still looking fashionable.
Are There Any Alternatives?
Zipz wine glass is a unique product, but there are other single wine containers on the market.
One good alternative is Chandon Brut Rose which comes in the shape of a small portable wine bottle. It’s a vintage Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley, with Pinot Noir added in its final stagesIt’s also reasonably priced.
It has a lovely array of flavors within it. It primarily contains the aroma of strawberries, pomegranate, cherry, and Danish cherry. It has a beautiful smooth texture of cherry sorbet, pink grapefruit, and red currant. The wine company has a French heritage and is located in Australia.
Our Final Thoughts
Zipz wine glass is perfect for wine enthusiasts who want a convenient and portable option for drinking wine. It has a fashionable design that ensures they can feel like they’re enjoying a glass of wine in their home.
