Francis Ford Coppola releases Pinot Noir in a can

The winery of US film director and winemaker Francis Ford Coppola has made its 2017 Diamond Collection Pinot Noir available in cans, marking the first time it has released a red wine in such a container.

Diamond Collection Pinot Noir: It is first time that Coppola has released a red wine in a can

The Francis Coppola Winery was among the first to catch on to the potential for canned wine, debuting its 187ml Sofia Minis – a blend of Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Muscat – in 2004 in an effort to make premium wine more convenient.

Last year it released three of its white wines in cans from the same collection, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc, which launched last summer.

However this is the first time the winery has canned one of its still red wines.

“We’re excited to show our continued commitment to premium canned wine by bringing the award-winning Coppola Diamond Collection Pinot Noir to a can offering,” said Corey Beck, CEO and chief winemaker of The Family Coppola.

“We were one of the first to put wine in a can and our dedication to superior quality, sustainability and authentic brands remains important to our business.”

During the last decade, the canned wine category has grown rapidly, with Oregon-based producer Union Wine Company another leader in the category, having released an Underwood Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris in a 12-ounce can in 2013 in an effort to encourage the “beerification” of wine among consumers.

Waitrose’ new canned rosé wine

Before that, Accolade Wines launched a range of sparkling wine-based drinks in a can called The Sparkling Collection, sold under the Hardys, Banrock Station and Stone’s brands. While in 2011, db reported that retailers in Denver were selling out of local urban winery, The Infinite Monkey Theorem’s US$6.99 Sparkling Black Muscat in a 250ml can, emblazoned with the brand’s eye-catching monkey logo.

More recently, this year saw the launch of the first English wine in a can by new drinks brand The Uncommon in the form of a lightly sparkling Bacchus using grapes grown in Surrey.

Signalling the category’s move into the mainstream, in June UK supermarket Waitrose launched a range of canned wines in time for the festival season this summer.

The supermarket’s canned wine range comprises an organic rosé and a Shiraz, and were made by Robert Eden of Chateau Maris in the Languedoc. The recyclable 250ml cans hold the equivalent to one large glass of wine, and are ideal for festivals, picnics and drinking on the go.

The Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Pinot Noir 250ml cans are available in a lightweight 4-pack that’s environmentally friendly and recyclable at an RRP for US$24, and can be purchased online, the cellar door and select restaurants.