Manchester-based Kingsland will become the first UK wine filler to put the sparkle in wine products later this year, with the installation of a new line with full carbonation capability.

Also to be used for still wine, the line will be the 5th bottling line at Kingsland’s Irlam facility and will be able to fill between 12,600 and 15,000 bottles per hour – the equivalent of 25% of Kingsland’s total production.  Focus will initially be on 50cl and 75cl bottle formats, but with scope for incorporating the full range of sizes upto 1 litre in due course.

Manufacturing Director Mark Dixon comments, “There are other carbonation lines in the UK, but we believe we are the first to invest in this capability for wine products as well as low-alcohol, spirits-based, fusion and blended drinks.  As well as increasing our general capacity, this new line gives us much greater flexibility for our customers – and is, of course, in recognition of the increase in Consumer thirst for sparkling products.”

News of the carbonation line comes on the back of last month’s launch of WinePRO – an insight tool developed by Kingsland to delve deeper into existing consumer segmentation to look beyond what consumers drink, to why they drink wine and when.

Marketing Director Neil Anderson adds, “We are really excited about the possibility of ‘fizzing it up’. We are a total service provider for our customers and the new line gives us the opportunity to work even more closely with them.  Using our new insight programme, WinePRO, it allows us to identify NPD opportunities that will add value to their category.”

Established over 50 years ago, Kingsland are experts in UK filling, packaging, bulk wine shipping, using consumer insights (including WinePRO) to develop exciting retailer & brand propositions –  providing the complete supply chain solution.  The wine portfolio now encompasses luxury Prosecco offerings from Borgo Molino and Sensi, McManis from California and Marisco from New Zealand, as well as newly-formed partnerships with Australia’s Limestone Coast Wines, Brandphoenix and, most recently, Kingsland have partnered with Marks & Spencer.