My guest this week is Jake Whitman, founder of “Really Good Boxed Wine.”
Many years ago, while working at Larry Evers Wine & Spirits, a couple of Australian dudes came to the store. They were impressed by all the Aussie wines on the shelf but surprised it was all in bottles. They said that in Australia, most folks buy wines in 3L bag-in-box format. Europe and Australia offered high end wines in boxes; they even shipped their product to America in plastic bladders. But upon arrival in the States, the wine went into bottles. There are many reasons and advantages for doing just that.
In our country back then, boxed wines were cheap and generally lacked the quality of similar wines in bottle. While that has changed to a degree, the perception is often still the same. Box wine is cheap wine!
Really Good Box Wine is one of a few out to change that perception. The brand is the brainchild of Jake Whitman, a former consumer products brand manager with Proctor & Gamble and a few tech companies in San Francisco. Whitman is his own only full-time employee, with a small cadre helping him with website development as well as sourcing wines and grapes. The wines, all certified sustainable, are being made at Healdsburg Custom Crush winery in Sonoma County. They will be sold online, with delivery to 39 states and the District of Columbia. Whitman said he hopes to expand his portfolio to include wines from the Pacific Northwest and Europe. Follow RGBW on Facebook
At the end of the day, the quality of the wine is what really matters. It doesn’t need to be pretentious. It doesn’t need to be in a 2-pound bottle. We believe we’ve found a better way to help wine-lovers enjoy more of what they love. It’s better wine in a better format, that’s better for the environment and for a better price. That’s Really Good Boxed Wine.
Really Good Boxed Wine is a new direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine brand that aims to change the stereotypes associated with boxed wine. While DTC means you won’t find this wine on the shelf at your local wine merchant, fear not. You can order direct and even subscribe to have wine delivered on a monthly basis with no commitment and no catches. 10$ Flat rate shipping or Free shipping with $100+ orders!
Want to learn more? Join Master Sommelier Andy Meyer on the FREE Virtual Tasting Thursday, March 3, 2022 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
You’ll hear Andy and Really Good Boxed Wine founder Jake Whitman talk about changing trends in the wine industry, and taste alongside Andy as he tries the brand’s newest release, a 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles.
For a little direct comparison, I’ll be tasting the wine of the week below which is available at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road here in the Flat Lands.
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile
Black Box Wines Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied, displaying enticing aromas of black currant, toasty oak, and a hint of vanilla. Ripe blackberries and chocolate fill the palate with balanced tannins that lead to a soft, lingering finish.
Available at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road