Up to 1 in 13 corked bottles is compromised before it ever reaches your glass. CorkFree.com celebrates the wineries bold enough to put science and quality first — with closures that protect every pour.
Imagine opening a special bottle — a anniversary wine, a gift, a reward — only to find it smells of wet cardboard or musty basement. That's cork taint, and it's ruining billions of bottles every year.
Cork taint is caused by a chemical compound called 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA), which can develop in natural cork during the manufacturing process. Even at concentrations of a few parts per trillion, TCA suppresses your nose's ability to detect the wine's aromas — stripping away everything the winemaker worked years to create.
The solution has existed for decades. It's elegant, consistent, and foolproof. It's the screwcap.
Read the Full Story
Science, sustainability, and sheer common sense — the case for screwcaps is overwhelming.
TCA — the compound responsible for cork taint — simply cannot form inside an aluminum screwcap. Every bottle is guaranteed to taste exactly as the winemaker intended.
Unlike cork, screwcaps provide a measurable and consistent oxygen transmission rate (OTR). Winemakers can control exactly how their wine will evolve over time.
No cork crumble. No pushing the cork through. No fighting with a difficult bottle. Open, pour, enjoy — exactly as it should be, every single time.
Aluminum is infinitely recyclable. While cork forests have their own ecological value, the carbon footprint of transportation and processing of corks is often overlooked.
Screwcaps cost wineries less than premium corks. That saving gets passed to you — meaning the same quality wine at a better price point, or better wine at the same price.
Screwcap-sealed wines have won some of the world's most prestigious competitions, from the International Wine Challenge to the Decanter World Wine Awards.
These pioneering wineries have led the charge toward a better, cork-free future — and their wines prove it's the right move.
New Zealand
Synonymous with world-class Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford was among the first to fully commit to screwcaps across their entire range. Vibrant, fresh, and unapologetically modern.
Visit Website
New Zealand
Cloudy Bay put New Zealand on the global wine map. Their Sauvignon Blanc, sealed with a Stelvin closure, remains one of the most sought-after whites in the world — consistent and brilliant every vintage.
Visit Website
New Zealand
Fresh, crisp, and utterly reliable — Oyster Bay has built a global following on the promise of consistently great wine. Their full range is sealed with screwcaps, ensuring maximum freshness from cellar to table.
Visit Website
Australia
One of Australia's most beloved wine families, Jacob's Creek has embraced screwcap technology across their Classic range. Rich Shiraz and elegant Chardonnay, delivered without compromise.
Visit Website
New Zealand
Sir George Fistonich founded Villa Maria in 1961, and it became one of the first major wineries globally to switch entirely to screwcaps in 2001. A true pioneer — and their wines continue to win major international awards.
Visit Website
USA
Washington State's Hogue Cellars has been a screwcap pioneer in the American market, proving that the Pacific Northwest's finest wines don't need a cork to reach their full potential. Their Riesling is a benchmark.
Visit WebsiteFrom the rolling hills of Marlborough to the sun-baked valleys of the Barossa, producers worldwide are choosing science over tradition — and winning for it.
We believe in transparency. Here's every meaningful metric, side by side.
| Criterion | Natural Cork | Stelvin Screwcap |
|---|---|---|
| Risk of TCA Contamination | ✗ 3–8% of bottles | ✓ Zero risk |
| Oxygen Transmission Control | ✗ Highly variable | ✓ Precisely engineered |
| Consumer Convenience | ✗ Requires corkscrew | ✓ Open anywhere |
| Risk of Cork Crumble | ✗ Yes, especially older corks | ✓ None |
| Preservation After Opening | Moderate | ✓ Excellent resealing |
| Shelf Life Consistency | ✗ Varies cork-to-cork | ✓ Consistent batch-to-batch |
| Environmental Recyclability | Cork is biodegradable | ✓ Aluminum is infinitely recyclable |
| Cost to Producer | ✗ Higher for premium cork | ✓ Lower, savings passed on |
| Romantic Ritual | ✓ Ceremonial appeal | Modern, effortless elegance |
★★★★★"I used to roll my eyes at screwcap wines — I associated them with cheap table wine. Then I had a 10-year-old New Zealand Riesling sealed with a Stelvin cap. It was immaculate. Fresh, vibrant, perfectly developed. I never looked back."
★★★★★"As a restaurant sommelier, I've had to pour a tainted bottle at a table too many times. It's embarrassing and expensive. Since we added more screwcap options to our list, that problem has effectively disappeared."
★★★★★"Our winery switched to screwcaps eight years ago. Customer returns for faulty bottles dropped to zero. Our Rieslings have actually improved in the bottle — the winemaker has complete control over the aging trajectory."