Paris, June 21, 2023 – Wine in Block, in collaboration with Domaine Achillée announces the launch of an exclusive NFT drop for the “vendanges tardives” 2017 vintage on June 21, 2023. Wine lovers will have the chance to discover a unique cuvée exclusively sold in NFT, carefully preserved since the harvest in 2017, and benefit from enhanced traceability thanks to this bold alliance. This drop is the first in a long series, with Achillée belonging to the Liane collective, which brings together independent biodynamic winegrowers who are also keen to innovate in their distribution, and which has chosen Wine in Block as its partner.
NFT: A UNIQUE LINK BETWEEN BUYER AND WINERY
Achillée, renowned for its exceptional dry wines, unveils an unusual cuvée: the first “vendanges tardives”. In 2017, following unexpected frosts, the grapes were harvested late, offering a remarkable sugar content. This natural phenomenon led to a spontaneous fermentation that came to a halt, giving birth to Domaine Achillée’s first slightly sweet cuvée.
Only 235 bottles of this rare cuvée have been produced and carefully preserved since 2017. This cuvée will only be available as an NFT. By choosing to integrate Wine in Block’s NFT technology, Achillée is demonstrating its commitment to remaining at the forefront of the wine industry while preserving traditions. NFTs offer a modern solution for authenticating wines and ensuring their quality, without the need for physical movement. Thanks to this innovation, consumers can now buy and own these rare vintages with an absolute guarantee of their provenance and integrity.
SALES ON THE ROMANE MARKETPLACE
Romane, Wine in Block’s dedicated wine marketplace, is more than just a purchasing platform, as it also offers exclusive features and experiences. In addition to being able to buy vintages of wine, users can associate unique experiences with each vintage, such as tastings at the winery or the opportunity to join the winery’s membership.
“Romane is a trustworthy link and the tool for dialogue between a winery and its customers. Achillée with Romane “drops” a rare cuvée, which allows us to discover its history and heritage. We are proud to inaugurate our NFT platform dedicated to wines with this estate, renowned for its commitment to the environment, its roots in the Alsace terroir and the quality of its wines” says Sylvie Busca, CEO Wine In Block.
Romane’s evocative name, imbued with luxury and refinement, transcends language barriers and evokes a feeling of sympathy. This marketplace makes a point of facilitating the adoption of wine and making the user experience as accessible as possible. Romane’s UX is designed to deliver a seamless experience, with features such as advanced search filters, detailed descriptions and attractive visuals for each vintage. Users benefit from detailed information on the various drops, wine characteristics, associated NFTs and editions available for purchase. They can also access information on estates, winemakers and cuvées, enabling them to fully explore the fascinating world of wine.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LIANE COLLECTIVE
Liane, launched some time ago, is an innovative platform dedicated to the sale of special, creative cuvées. These exceptional wines are made using techniques such as barrel or amphora vinification, and come from various biodynamic vineyards. Liane succeeded in convincing several wineries to embark on this project, but being specialized in the selection and enhancement of vintages, decided to outsource the technical management of its platform. This is how Wine in Block came in, taking charge of all operations on the Romane platform. Liane’s first drop, featuring Achillée, is just one example of many to come.
“We’re moving forward with the certainty that tradition and new models go hand in hand. Liane brings together committed winemakers who love their land and their grapes, and shares them with you with Romane.” Says Pierre Dietrich, Liane founder and Achillée owner.
While NFTs are mainly associated with the sale of prestigious grands crus, Achillée is convinced that this technology is just as relevant for biodynamic and natural wines. Achillée’s biodynamic and natural wines are renowned for their authenticity, respect for the environment and unique expression of the Alsatian terroir. By integrating NFT technology, the winery aims to offer its customers an innovative and immersive experience, while enhancing the history and exceptional quality of its wines.
About Wine in Block
Officially launched in September 2022, Wine in Block uses blockchain and NFT to authenticate, track and create customer experiences in the world of wine. Among the solutions offered by this start-up, there is first and foremost a digital passport accessible via an app, which is linked either to an NFC tag placed behind the label of a bottle of wine, or to a box present in a crate or pallet. It also offers NFTs, which enable brands to create and build loyalty among their community by offering exclusive benefits such as access to rare vintages, as well as NFTs acting as certificates of authenticity. The start-up targets wine producers and importers worldwide. It plans to launch its first NFT drop next June, in collaboration with a winery in Alsace.
