PengWine’s Big Leap into the Future of Wine Industry

July, 2016, SINGAPORE – A boutique Chilean wine brand, PengWine, showcased its latest investment in technology partnering with AuthenticateIT on June 28. The launch of the innovative PengWine Ambassador Program makes PengWine the first in the wine industry and the first brand in SE Asia to adopt this anti-counterfeiting and consumer engagement technology.

The front end of the PengWine Ambassador Program is a smartphone app called Authenticateit, which enables consumers to access product safety information, authenticity checks and other useful product information. Each PengWine bottle is individually numbered and labelled with a unique data matrix code to ensure authenticity, with trace and track functionality. Hence, a simple scan of the barcode connects a consumer to relevant product information, and allows PengWine and its distributors & partners to engage, from a marketing perspective, with consumers. It operates in full compliance with industry standards, while adopting GS1 Singapore standards, a non-profit local organisation that ensures brands are protected from counterfeit, unsafe and grey import products through auto identification systems such as bar codes.

“Brand building takes time and lots of consistent efforts. Thus brand protection is critical not only for major global brands but also increasingly important for emerging and innovative companies like PengWine. Chris Milliken, the founder of PengWine, is clearly forward thinking in leveraging technology to augment his premium wines to protect the PengWine brand and increase consumer engagement and trust.” said Liew Wai Leong, CEO of GS1 Singapore.

The PengWine Ambassador Program empowers consumers with a fast and convenient way to check a bottle’s authenticity, while offering members of the trade a powerful tool to track and trace details on each bottle. It enables deeper relationships with consumers by tailoring every interaction to their specific needs.

“The launch of the PengWine Ambassador Program is in line with PengWine’s commitment to support our growing network of fans and business partners. It is a game-changer amidst our APAC expansion, and our customers will now be given a digital platform to verify the authenticity of our wines. This allows us to engage our partners and consumers effectively”, shared Chris Milliken, Co-Founder and CEO of PengWine.

The App That Lends Powerful Support to PengWine Ambassadors

Sommeliers may become “Ambassadors” of PengWine by downloading the app on their smartphone and scanning an Ambassador Code assigned to them by PengWine. Besides gaining access to more information than there is to the consumers, PengWine Ambassadors are offered many exclusive benefits, including cash rewards and wine workshops etc. Further enhancements will be built to create community and a connectedness never seen before in the industry.

"PengWine is the first brand to implement Authenticateit's Brand Ambassador solution, working to ensure that all sales staff (often, sommeliers) have in-depth knowledge of the PengWine product range while gaining recognition for their contribution to the brand." Gennady Volchek, Founder and CEO of AuthenticateIT.

What This Means for the PengWine Consumers

A consumer can use the app to scan a label to verify the wine, and to learn more about its content and tasting notes. Brand knowledge and recognition of the wine’s quality are enhanced through this experience. The Authenticateit app is available for free download on the Apple and Google Play app store.

PengWine’s partnership with AuthenticateIT is a timely collaboration for discerning wine enthusiasts who are tech-savvy and hold such valuable information in high regard. This authentication and traceability solution launched by GS1 Singapore is a win-win solution for both consumers and brands, increasing consumer trust, brand protection while boosting traceability and visibility along the supply product chain. This is especially useful for patrons and brand owners of both luxury as well as F&B sectors in the current heat against counterfeits.

“I am delighted that PengWine, a member of GS1 Singapore, is rising to the anti-counterfeiting challenge by adopting the GS1-AuthenticateIT solution, GS1 Singapore and AuthenticateIT are proud to be PengWine’s partners in their exciting journey of growth and success.” stated Liew.

Ultimately, this adds to PengWine’s existing repute of breaking stereotypes – from price points to quality commonly associated with Chilean wines – as it engages and educates the wine community with its high quality offerings. The partnership also spells a milestone for the worldwide wine industry, spearheading a new trend for traditional wine makers, as the company maintains its vision to emerge as the recognised premium boutique Chilean wine maker and supplier in the global scene.

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About PengWine

PengWine, is a luxury boutique wine from the Maipo Valley of Chile, home to some of the world’s most prestigious wines. The estate vineyard is snuggled between the Andes and Chile’s lush Pacific coast, and bedded in rich soils. Named after the resilient South American penguins that make their home along the coast, PengWine has been producing a distinguished line of wines since 2004.

To find out more about PengWine, visit www.pengwine.com

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