As I sat down with Greg Lambrecht, the founder and inventor of Coravin, I was eager to hear the story behind this groundbreaking wine preservation system. Greg initially identified a problem in how wine is consumed and preserved and decided to make a device for his personal use to fix it. His background in biomedical engineering, his love for wine, and his passion for innovation make for an interesting story.
Greg’s Background
Greg was born in New York City to European parents. He moved to California and developed an interest in engineering, inspired by his grandfather’s work on guided missile systems. Greg pursued his education at MIT, initially studying Nuclear Engineering before changing to Mechanical Engineering for his master’s degree.
His inspiration
Greg has a history of patenting devices that are disruptive in the best possible way, both in the medical and wine industries. His experience in creating medical devices, such as one of the first ports for chemotherapy, laid the groundwork for his work with Coravin. Greg’s interest in wine predates his medical career, sparked by a visit to Peju Winery, where he tasted wines with Tony Peju. This encounter not only deepened his love for wine but also later led to Peju becoming one of Coravin’s top resellers.
How Coravin Was Created
The idea for Coravin was born from a personal frustration—Greg wanted to enjoy a variety of wines without having to commit to a full bottle each time and when his wife was pregnant, it amplified. This desire to taste wines from different regions, from California to Europe, led him to combine his expertise in needles in medical devices with his love for wine. The first prototype, developed in the late 1990s, used a needle and inert gas to preserve wine, allowing it to be enjoyed by the glass without waste. But it took years of refinement and testing before Coravin was launched in 2013. Fun fact: its early name was Mosquito, which his son named due to the needle inserted to preserve wine.
Where Medical Devices Meet Wine
Greg’s passion for problem-solving and wine has driven his success. He shared stories of the early prototypes, which resembled medical devices, and the journey to refine Coravin into the sleek, user-friendly system it is today. Initially, Greg didn’t intend to start a company; however, as friends requested his device, the demand grew, and Coravin was officially launched in 2013.
How Coravin Evolved
Coravin has transformed how wine is enjoyed, allowing consumers to taste multiple wines without committing to a full bottle. This technology has become a staple in restaurants and homes worldwide, enabling wine enthusiasts to explore a broader range of wines without waste. In 2021, Greg introduced the Coravin Sparkling System, which preserves the carbonation in sparkling wines, further expanding the possibilities for wine lovers. I tried a version of this at least ten years ago when it was an attachment to the regular Coravin. Now it’s a stand-alone system and stay tuned to hear more about my experience. Being able to open champagne whenever I want might be a pivotal moment in my life.
What Happens Next
Greg’s dedication to innovation has not only changed the wine industry but has also inspired a new way of experiencing wine. Today, a glass of wine is poured using Coravin every second, with over 900 million glasses poured to date. This impact extends beyond consumer behavior, as Coravin also addresses sustainability by reducing waste in the wine industry. It is crazy that Greg never wanted to start Coravin, he just wanted to solve a problem. The next innovation that he’s researching is the packaging of single-serve wines by the glass.
One Glass at a Time
Greg’s journey with Coravin is a tale of innovation and passion, blending his expertise in biomedical engineering with his love for wine. By creating a system that allows wine to be enjoyed by the glass without waste, Greg has not only transformed the way we experience wine but also contributed to sustainability in the industry. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that one person can have in changing the world, one glass at a time.
