Author: Brian Hart
If there was ever a place that could personify the exquisite pairing of rustic heritage with modern elegance, it has to be the Hotel Jerome in Aspen. Built in 1889, the Jerome quickly became the hub of the gold-rush town but in 2012 it acquired a face-lift and renovation which put it securely as one of the top mountain destination hotels in the world. Vinarmour partnered with Hotel Jerome in March, 2023 to retail our Wine Carrier, Tote, and Accessories and we are collaborating with them in their renowned Epicurean Passport Program during this year’s 40th Anniversary of the Aspen Food and Wine Classic. Stay tuned for updates on this event!
Earlier this year, Boston Magazine named us as a go-to item and one of their 5 “bold” gifts for giving a “Groom” in one’s life. On May 17, 2023 Forbes came out with several items they chose as a “Best Father’s Day gift”, and our WINE CARRIER made it onto the iconic magazine’s list. Forbes.com has earned a well-deserved reputation for being a highly respected and influential source of not only business and financial news, but also in reporting current lifestyle trends in lifestyle and products. When Forbes names a product to one of its “Best” lists, people listen. Among the accolades given to us by Forbes:
“There are a lot of ways to transport wine, but this is the classiest – and in many ways the safest.”
“The flagship bottle carrier is more a piece of fine luggage than mere padding, but it folds up to a fraction of its size when empty, and is equally good for picnics or BYOB restaurants.”
“…the patina of the 18-ounce waxed cotton twill, made by Halley Stevensons Baltic Mill in Dundee, Scotland will just get better looking over time.”
While we were pleasantly surprised to see the article appear, in some ways we weren’t. Since the beginning, our goal is to provide wine enthusiasts with a unique, timeless, and high-quality product and we knew it was only a matter of time before the rest of the world discovered it, and ultimately agreed with us. Of course it also helps that indeed our wine carrier does make the perfect gift for a dad. It’s ruggedly handsome exterior exudes a sophisticated masculinity that any father would find attractive. The durable 6/7oz Horween Leather sides and carry-strap adds another masculine touch. And, of course, every father certainly appreciates a gift that will stand the test of time, and both the waxed cotton and leather are two of natures most durable materials, and develop a rich, unique, and elegant patina with age and use.
Father’s Day is an occasion to honor and celebrate fathers and their unique interests. If your father enjoys wine or spirits, our carriers provide a thoughtful and personalized gift that aligns perfectly with his preferences. By choosing a gift that reflects his taste and passion, you show him that you recognize and appreciate his individuality.
We also have the capability to customize and co-brand the leather of our carriers, enabling you to add a personal touch to the Father’s Day gift. By incorporating your father’s initials, name, or a heartfelt message, you create a personalized keepsake that he will cherish. The customization options showcase your thoughtfulness and attention to detail, making the gift even more meaningful and unique to him. Our CO2 laser allows us to engrave onto leather fine details and subtleties not possible with traditional branding techniques and only at a fraction of the cost. Letters, numbers, logos, and even an old black and white photograph may be etched with our laser onto the leather of any Vinarmour product.
The father in your life doesn’t carry bottles around? We’ve got you covered. Consider our Tote bag. Originally designed to carry two of our Wine Carriers, it is a seriously rugged, masculine tote bag that can carry over 100 pounds, and is a wonderful for carrying household items to and fro. It is the ultimate man-bag, though capable of carrying loads of over 100 lbs, the tote has a sophisticated element to it that belies its ruggedly good looks.
Our wine and spirits carriers are crafted with durability in mind, ensuring that they will withstand the test of time. By gifting your father a product that is built to last, you provide him with a gift that he can enjoy for years to come, creating lasting memories with each use. The longevity of our carriers symbolizes the enduring bond between father and child, making it a sentimental and heartfelt gift.
Leather Matters
We all know it when we see it. Cheap leather. Poor leather making. When we set out to make the most durable and protective carrier for wine bottle travel we not only had to find the best leather, but also a leather craftsman who would not compromise on quality.
"There's leather, and then there is great leather: Horween makes the latter." - Primer Magazine
When it comes to wine carriers, Vinarmour stands out for its commitment to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. We take pride in incorporating the finest materials into our products, ensuring an unmatched wine carrying experience. One such material that sets us apart is the renowned Horween Chromexcel leather. With its rich heritage and exceptional attributes, Horween Chromexcel leather adds a touch of luxury and durability to our wine bags. I recently visited the Horween factory in Chicago, met with Skip Horween, the current president, and I am more convinced now than ever that the leather we use is the finest on the planet! Let’s explore the exceptional qualities of Horween Chromexcel leather and discover why it elevates the quality of Vinarmour Wine Carriers to new heights.
For over a century, Horween Leather Company has been synonymous with superior leather craftsmanship. Their Chromexcel leather is a testament to their commitment to excellence. Crafted using traditional techniques and recipes, this full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather undergoes a labor-intensive process that produces a supple, rich, and lustrous finish. Horween Chromexcel leather embodies a heritage of quality, making it the perfect choice for the discerning wine connoisseur who values both style and substance.
Vinarmour Wine Carriers are designed to withstand the test of time, and the incorporation of Horween Chromexcel leather ensures exceptional durability. This premium leather is known for its strength and resistance to wear and tear. It develops a unique patina over time, adding character and charm to your wine carrier. With Horween Chromexcel leather, you can trust that your wine bag will maintain its integrity, protecting your precious bottles and accompanying you on countless wine adventures.
Horween Chromexcel leather is renowned for its unmistakable aesthetic appeal. Its deep, rich tones and subtle variations create a luxurious visual experience. The luster and natural sheen of this leather add sophistication to our wine bags, making them a statement accessory. Whether you’re attending a formal gathering or enjoying a casual picnic, the elegance of Horween Chromexcel leather ensures that your wine carrier stands out with its timeless beauty.
Vinarmour Wine Carriers are designed for convenience and comfort, and the inclusion of Horween Chromexcel leather contributes to an ergonomic carrying experience. The soft, supple texture of this leather enhances comfort during transport, providing a luxurious feel against your skin. Additionally, the natural grip of Horween Chromexcel leather ensures a secure hold on your wine bag, allowing you to confidently carry your bottles without worry. It’s a fusion of functionality and style, making your wine adventures effortless and enjoyable.
At Vinarmour, we prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Horween Chromexcel leather aligns with our commitment to responsible sourcing. The leather is sourced from reputable tanneries that prioritize environmental consciousness and adhere to strict ethical standards. By choosing Vinarmour Wine Carriers crafted with Horween Chromexcel leather, you support a sustainable approach to luxury, ensuring that your wine carrier is not only a symbol of quality but also a testament to your environmental consciousness.
Vinarmour Wine Carriers exemplify the pursuit of excellence, and the incorporation of Horween Chromexcel leather solidifies our commitment to unmatched quality. With its exceptional durability, luxurious aesthetics, enhanced comfort and grip, and sustainable sourcing, Horween Chromexcel leather elevates our wine bags to new heights. We invite you to experience the seamless fusion of craftsmanship and elegance that Vinarmour Wine Carriers offer. Embrace the exceptional quality and timeless beauty of Horween Chromexcel leather, and elevate your wine carrying experience to a new level of sophistication. Choose Vinarmour Wine Carriers and savor every moment in style.
Tannāre Leather — Quality Custom Leatherwork
Just because you start with an amazing piece of leather doesn’t mean that it will end up as an exceptional final product. I will never let a relative of mine cook a wagyu steak that I purchase, because I know that the end result will be a letdown. Similarly, a good hide in the hands of an average leather worker will lead to an average product. Francisco Figueroa is not your average leather maker. He is a 3rd generation leather craftsman, and grew up in a family that was known to make some of the best horse saddles in the world. He and his wife Cindy Jennings founded and operate TANNĀRE Custom Leatherwork in San Antonio, Texas. With a focus on old world craftsmanship, Francisco has caught the attention of rock stars wanting custom guitar straps to major league sports teams.
When I visited Francisco and Cindy at their factory it was clear that we made the right choice in choosing a leather maker. As his specialty is custom products, he does not have an “assembly plant” operation. Each item is worked on individually on large wooden tables, and he only has one machine per purpose. Throughout his space he has all kinds of antiques, many of them associated with the leather making industry, and it is quite apparent that he has a fondness and admiration for items that stand the test of time.
The combination of a leather from Horween and the leather crafting skills of Francisco at Tannare has allowed us to produce not only the finest wine travel bag on the market, but unquestionably the most durable and rugged as well. If you already own a Vinarmour Wine Carrier, you may expect with it what one would normally expect with a quality-leather good made by an experienced leather craftsman–years and years of use and utility, developing a beautiful patina along the way.
What Happens to Your Bag?
So you have found a unique bottle on your most recent vacation that you want to bring home and share with friends. After the agent gently (sometimes) lays your bag on the conveyor belt, it will exit onto a common conveyor belt and at some point enter a cavernous warehouse. Think your bag is special? Think again, as there are hundreds if not thousands of other bags streaming into this place make a stop at a CTX machine. These large, expensive machine will determine if there is anything dangerous in your bag (illegal drugs, weapons, explosives, and perhaps lithium ion batteries). They WILL see a liquid in your bottle—typically not classified as “dangerous”, however this is the first place where you want to make sure you pack correctly. TIP: Do not pack electronics anywhere near your bottle, lest an agent (who I can assure you does not have a post-doctorate degree) suspect a detonation device for a Molotov Cocktail and pull your luggage off and toss it aside (Potential toss #1) for a TSA agent to search. If this happens, you must assume that the TSA agent will NOT pack the bottle back up nearly as well as you did and throw it back on the belt (potential toss #2). Your bag may also be subject to other checks including laser or xray scanners and sniffing dogs.
If your bag successfully clears this screening it will continue to the airpport’s main baggage system, where the luggage tag will be scanned, sorted (by either humans or robots) and put on a cart in the right direction to your gate, generating potential tosses #3 and #4. Check in too early? Your bag may go to “suitcase hotel” holding area (this involves potential tosses #5 and #6—possibly more, depending upon the airport). Check in late? If your luggage does make it onto the plane, don’t expect that it have been delivered with more TLC, they will be rushing to get it there. If your bag makes it on time to the gate, the ramp agents will put your bag onto a conveyor belt up to the plane (potential toss #7), and stacked with the other luggage (potential toss #8). Once on the plane, your bag is usually secure, unless there is some heavy turbulence, in which case there may be a potential toss #9. Once at your destination the ramp agents will recover your bag and place it near the cargo hold (potential toss #10), throw it onto the conveyor belt (potential toss #11), where it will be loaded onto a cart (potential toss #12) and taken to the baggage claim where it is dumped onto a conveyor belt (potential toss #13), and depending upon the airport may have anything from a gentle slide to a tumbling cartwheel crash onto the carousel (potential toss #14). Occasionally airports have carousel agents to take the bags off and set to the side (potential toss #15).
Questions & Answers
Bottle in an oversized bag? Expect potential tosses to be more violent. These agents spend all day hoisting heavy, awkward items and it is probably safe to assume that their priority during the day is to move in ways that will not throw out their backs. The integrity of your bottle is secondary.
Have a connecting flight or layover? Using the above scenario you can assume that your potential tosses may have just doubled.
Locked your bag? If you choose to do this, choose one of the many TSA-approved locks that are available. he TSA has master keys and combinations that allow agents to open them. If you use a non-TSA approved lock the will simply bolt-cut it off your luggage to have their way with your belongings.
On the TSA website it reads, “Our officers will make every attempt to repack items the way they were when presented for screening.” The website also recommends that you include written instructions for repacking—however a TSA spokesman has said, “our officers don’t have time to follow detailed instructions, and frankly they don’t know the difference between a love note that somebody put in their bag and repacking instructions.”
Packing a bottle already opened? Beware! The increase in cabin pressure often will push the cork right off that bottle. Prevent this by securing the cork with a strip of tape (duct tape preferable) over the top of the cork, then again with another strip circling around the first strip.
Worry-free Travel
Now you know what obstacles face you and your bottle on their journey. If you are flying somewhere with one stop you could be facing over 20 potential tosses of your luggage. How does one pack in the face of this? The obvious answer on our end is of course to pack your bottle within a Vinarmour™ Wine Carrier. Not only is it impact resistant, but more importantly it is puncture resistant, so that even if your bottle faces a violent impact and breaks, the Kevlar and Dyneema fabrics within the Carrier will help prevent glass shards from cutting or puncturing it and will not spill or leak.
Tips For Those Without A Vinarmour Carrier
Use “tubes.” Some articles of clothing have a tube shape and may help protect against impact. Place your bottle within socks, shirt or sweater sleeves, or pant legs. The more layers the better. Best examples: “Hoodie” style pullovers, denim jean pants, calf-height gym socks.
Always travel with couple of kitchen-sized garbage bags. After inserting your bottle within your clothing “tubes”, insert inside the garbage bag and wrap excess bag over itself.
Use Neoprene totes. These can offer modest impact protection, and will offer some thermal protection to help prevent your wine from being baked in case your luggage is left in the sun for a period of time traveling in hot climates. Best technique involves putting one tote over each end, and then wrapping in a plastic garbage bag.
Avoid bubble wrap. Have you ever ordered wine and it has arrived shipped in bubble wrap? There is a reason for this—it doesn’t work for wine bottles. Early experiments in impact protection for my product verified this. You are better off wrapping in clothing (and it’s better for the environment!)
Always pack the bottle in the very middle of the luggage, never in contact with any side of the luggage or any hard personal object, with as much clothing around it as possible.
Protect your electronics in the same bag by packing them away from the bottle and wrap them inside a plastic ziplock or garbage bag.
Add a note for the TSA. Keep it short and sweet. Handwritten and signed adds a personal touch that is difficult to ignore. Seen on the left is the one I (Brian Hart) used (before Vinarmour), on heavy stock paper so I could reuse.