MASPACK USA’s first turn-key solution at the brand new Infinity Bottling facility in American Canyon is deemed ‘the Ferrari of complete bottling lines’ and the envy of many..

Santa Rosa, CA. August 2nd, 2018: Over 200 industry professionals made their way to the Grand Opening of the brand new Infinity Bottling facility in American Canyon Thursday night to tour the facility and catch their first glimpse of the new state-of-the-art turn-key solution designed and installed by MASPACK Packaging USA.

The line includes the best of the best in terms of machinery; a filling mono-block with 40 grippers, a rinser with 48 filling valves, a corker and capper, a capsule applicator with 12 spinning heads, a labelling machine capable of applying up to 3 labels and equipped with orientation device, an inspection system and all packaging machines and conveyors produced by MASPACK. The entire line is automated and managed by a central panel that uses the Cockpit software specifically created by MASPACK. In addition, the line is equipped with the Compass system, statistical analytical supervision software with production reports and statistics. The line installed at Infinity has a layout that can be managed by just 3 operators + a forklift driver and can process up to 200 bottles per minute.

MASPACK Packaging USA has been diligently working with Infinity Bottling to design, manufacture and install this, it’s first complete turn-key solution in the USA.  “We are delighted with the end result here at Infinity” said Maspack USA CEO, Alberto Migliardi.  “Jessica and David entrusted us with this massive project and we put many elements in place to ensure we delivered on time and to the full specifications of their plan. We only see success for this new endeavor and will be here standing beside them as the machines operate well into the future.

Those steps MASPACK took included the creation of a US specific department at the parent company’s 150,000sf manufacturing plant in Canelli, Italy, to ensure all equipment destined for the US complies with US codes and standards as well as the opening of a sales and technical support office in Santa Rosa, with experienced technicians readily available to service the machines.

The bottling line designed and installed at Infinity Bottling may be the first turnkey project for MASPACK in California, but is not their only major project.  Last year, they successfully integrated a complete end-of-the-line with case packer, case sealer and palletizer at Rack & Riddle in Healdsburg.  They automated the entire line including the machines that were already in place.  Beyond wine they implemented the automation of the entire packaging process of the Forty Creek Distillery bottling line in Grimsby, ON CANADA last year with the installation of a Case Packer, Palletizer and all the conveyors.

With this new facility, MASPACK Packaging USA look to be setting the bar very high for their competitors.

For more information, visit us online at www.maspackusa.com or contact the MASPACK office at 707-953-7143 / email: office@maspackusa.com

Cutting-edge bottling, packaging and robotics solutions provider, with smart and exclusive automation and management software and top-of-the-line after-sales service.

MASPACK Packaging USA, the American arm of Italian based MASPACK Packaging, is ready to shake up the US market, providing advanced bottling, packaging and robotics solutions to the wine and beverage industry. Experience and expertise in integration, automation, engineering and strategic planning of turn key solutions has already made MASPACK Packaging a major player in the global packaging market.

They have now set their sights on North America and to demonstrate their commitment, have created a separate department at their 150,000sf facility in Canelli, Italy, dedicated solely to manufacturing equipment intended for the US market with full compliance of US codes and regulations. They are doubling down on that commitment with a dedicated MASPACK Packing USA office in Santa Rosa, CA with full sales and after-sales service, and an on-site technician with extensive knowledge and years of hands-on experience with the equipment.

“We know we already provide quality and innovative solutions, but our customers need more when it comes to sensitive packaging equipment. Our focus will be on outstanding customer service,” says Alberto Migliardi, MASPACK USA’s CEO.  “We plan to provide all of the support our customers need in design and delivery, but more than that, they need to have some boots on the ground. If they have a problem or question, they speak directly to experienced technicians – no third-party maintenance guys or waiting to hear back from someone in Europe – just fast and efficient service from superb technicians.”

Over the last year, MASPACK USA has been working with Infinity Bottling to engineer, manufacture, and install a state of the art, complete turn-key solution for the bottling line at their new facility in American Canyon, CA.  The line, which began operation earlier this month, is managed by just 3 operators and a forklift driver and can process up to 200 bottles per minute.

President and General Manager of Infinity Bottling, Jessica Tuteur, has nothing but praise for the MASPACK USA team when asked about the collaboration. “The whole process went extremely well,” said Jessica, “We trusted Alberto and MASPACK to design and install the highest quality solution, and a year later they put together something incredible, efficient and state-of-the-art. They did an amazing job.”

Infinity Bottling’s turn key solution may be MASPACK USA’s showcase project to demonstrate what they can engineer and manufacture, but it wasn’t their first successful American venture. Last year, MASPACK USA integrated a complete end-of-line case packer, case sealer, and palletizer into an already existing line at Rack and Riddle in Healdsburg, CA. Not only did they integrate the end line, they fully automated the entire line, including the machines that were already in place, connecting different brands and companies under one complete line of automation, utilizing their customized compass and cockpit software solutions.

Forty Creek Distillery, a Campari brand, in Ontario, Canada was another successful foray into North America by MASPACK showing that their reach in the market is not limited to just the USA. At the distillery, they also implemented a case packer, palletizer, and conveyors into the existing line, demonstrating once again that MASPACK Packaging USA is leading the way into the US market with state-of-the-art bottling and packaging solutions and is able to design, engineer, and adapt equipment to meet your integration and automation needs.

For more information contact MASPACK Packaging USA at 707-757-7725 or visit us online at maspackusa.com

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MASPACK Packaging USA, a cutting-edge bottling, packaging and robotics solutions provider, announces the addition of three new employees, as well as the opening of its new North America office.

The expansion adds a mix of experience and expertise to the MASPACK roster with the hiring of a new Business Development Director, Dan Bock, a new Office Manager, Rosalind Soto and Domenico Ginosa, a new Technical Director for Masspack Technical Services providing installation and after-sales service to all MASPACK USA customers.

Dan has 20 years of sales and marketing experience, 10 plus years of which are specific to the Napa Valley. He has extensive knowledge ranging within the realm of hospitality, direct sales of rare and fine wine, to the packaging of wine and spirits. In addition, he has successfully achieved his Level 2 WSET certification and has a passion for the wine and spirits industry.

Rosalinda who came from Kendall Jackson winery also brings with her a number of years of service and administrative experience in the beverage and hospitality industries.

Domenica Ginosa, spent 5 years in Australia as a Project Manager for a bottling and packaging engineering and distribution company and then 2 years in MASPACK Italy.  He has extensive knowledge of bottling lines and packaging machinery, outside of MASPACK, and will be invaluable for any integration of existing equipment into a new complete line.

In addition to adding new team members, MASPACK Packaging USA has officially moved into their new office, located at 2224 Northpoint Parkway in Santa Rosa.  The office hosts the Sales and Administrative team, with a warehouse area for parts and service and will provide MASPACK with a place to expand their product offering to serve additional market segments and fulfill even more orders in an efficient manner.

With the number of active wineries in the US growing to 9,654 in 2018, up 6%* on the previous year and active craft distillers growing by 15.5% over the previous year to 1,835,** combined with a shrinking labor pool and higher wages have many within the wine and spirits industry looking to automate and better manage their line. "MASPACK Packaging USA specializes in automation and integration and so is a new business that is already making an impact in the North American packaging market," said Alberto Migliardi, CEO. "With the current pace of growth within these markets, we needed to take action, to add the right people to elevate and enhance our business, deliver the right amount of support and give our clients the best possible experience."

Follow MASPACK Packaging US: 

Twitter: twitter.com/maspackusa  

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/maspackusa  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maspackusa  

About MASPACK Packaging USA: Founded in 2016, MASPACK Packaging USA is the dynamic American arm of MASPACK Packaging, an Italian based company specializing in bottling, packaging and robotic solutions for the wine, spirits and beverage industries. They provide engineering, integration, automation and turn key projects and have shown a true commitment to the US market by creating a separate manufacturing unit in their 120,000 sf plant in Canelli, Italy, to ensure any equipment destined for the US complies with all US codes and standards.

For more information contact MASPACK Packaging USA at 707-757-7725 or visit us online at maspackusa.com

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*The data comes from www.statista.com.  Total number of wineries in the United States from 2009 to 2018

**The data comes from The Craft Spirits Data Project, a study led in conjunction with the American Craft Spirits Association.

Media Contact:  Nessa O’Brien, 707-535-9481

Rack & Riddle Set to Showcase Comprehensive Equipment Overhaul, by MASPACK Packaging USA, at Industry Event in Late Spring, 2019

MASPACK Packaging USA, the American arm of MASPACK Packaging, based in Italy, is set to begin completion of a three-phase overhaul for Rack & Riddle’s custom crush facility in Healdsburg, CA. MASPACK USA assisted Rack & Riddle with an initial upgrade a year and a half ago by designing and installing a case packer, case sealer and palletizer into its still wine line, integrating the existing and new machinery along with new bottle conveyors and full automation.

“Throughout that initial upgrade, we interviewed several companies and determined that MASPACK was the best fit for us,” affirms Mark Garaventa, General Manager at Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services. “We got exactly what we needed from them in terms of installation and implementation. Their knowledge and expertise are tremendous. They have proven to us that they are the company we want to continue to work with and the proficiency to upgrade our sparkling line.”

Due to the success of the installation and the top-notch service provided by MASPACK USA, Rack and Riddle sought the company out again when they decided to increase the speed and efficiency of their sparkling wine bottling and packaging process.

“Automation within the industry will be growing over the next few years,” predicts Alberto Migliardi, MASPACK Packaging USA’s CEO. “We are very focused on wine and spirits, and we aim always to deliver the best machinery for our customer’s needs and provide excellence in technical service.” 

Alberto added. “In order to guarantee that excellence in service, we developed a Technical Service Division here in California to ensure we have support technicians on the ground. We moved a very experienced technician here from Italy and another will be arriving in late spring to assist in development and training of our local technicians. Additionally, our machines are remotely connected to Italy providing a 24 hours a day to assist operators in resolving any problems.”

Rack & Riddle’s sparkling line upgrade has been accomplished through a comprehensive, three-phase plan. The first involved automating its triage application process transferring bottles from the line to wooden bins. The second is installing robotics solutions to transfer bottles from the wooden bins to metal cages in preparation for riddling. The third phase, will be full automation and upgrade of the facility’s disgorging end of line including the installation of a monobloc case erector and case packer, partition inserter, case sealer, weight measure and Palletizer.

“The upgrades were made on behalf of our clients, to demonstrate our continued commitment to quality and excellence in service and standards. We expect to be the premiere sparkling wine facility in America,” proclaims Garaventa. “This is a true partnership we have with MASPACK. They want us to be successful and work with us to meet all of our needs and our demands in order to accomplish that.”

Rack & Riddle is planning an industry-wide open house at its new facility in Healdsburg in late Spring 2019, to showcase the full equipment overhaul designed and installed by MASPACK.

In the meantime, they will be on hand to discuss the upgrades and answer questions at the UNIFIED Wine and Grape Symposium January 29-31 in Sacramento at BOOTH #1837. MASPACK Representatives will also be available for meetings or introductions during UNIFIED. Please email Alberto@maspackusa.com or Dan@maspackusa.com if you would like to set up a meeting to answer all your questions.

For more information on MASPACK Packaging USA, go to maspackusa.com or for information on Rack and Riddle, visit www.rackandriddle.com

Santa Rosa, CA. July 6^th, 2018:  Over the past year, Maspack Packaging USA has been diligently working with Infinity Bottling to design, manufacture and finally install a complete turn-key solution at the new ‘state of the art’ bottling facility in American Canyon, CA.

On Wednesday, August 1st, Maspack Packaging USA will join Infinity Bottling in hosting a Grand Opening Celebration from 2:30pmpm to 6:00 p.m to officially open the doors and showcase this world-class facility incorporating many of the packaging innovations and automation capabilities Maspack has to offer. 

During the event, attendees will be able to tour the new facility and see MASPACK machinery and automation at work.  

MASPACK Packaging USA is the dynamic American arm of MASPACK Packaging, an Italian based company specializing in bottling, packaging and robotic solutions for wine, spirits and beverage industries.  They provide engineering, integration, automation and turn key projects and have shown a true commitment to the US market by opening a new branch office in Santa Rosa, CA and by creating a separate manufacturing unit in their 150,000 sf plant in Canelli, Italy, to ensure any equipment destined for the US complies with all US codes and standards. 

MASPACK Packaging USA’s corporate offices and technical support is located at Northpoint Parkway in Santa Rosa and will provide complete solutions and top quality after sale service for North America. 

Call us today to let us know that you’re coming!

You have to be just slightly natters to engage in a livelihood that can literally blow up on you—and yet, the sisterhood (and brotherhood) of bubbles runs deep. That’s probably why it’s considered the ne plus ultra of winemaking.

There are many ways to sparkle a beverage, but méthode Champenoise is considered the highest form of sparkling art. It’s a process that’s been painstakingly perfected, by hand, over the centuries. It requires two entirely separate fermentations, the second of which occurs in the bottle, which is where the magic happens. Says Todd Graff, winemaker and general manager at Frank Family Vineyards in Napa Valley, “The secondary fermentation in the bottle is the trickiest part, because however many bottles you’re making, each is an individual fermentation.”

Méthode Champenoise is time consuming, filled with repetitive tedium, complicated (often by many months of dosage trials), and sometimes fraught with peril (anything involving gas at multiple atmospheres of pressure can be explosive). But it’s the only way to make the fine mousse that’s the hallmark of superior star juice.

Recently, some sparkling producers have turned to robots and automation to make operations safer and more consistent.

Specialized automation

It starts when expired yeast from the secondary fermentation must be collected, using a process called riddling, which inverts and slowly rotates the bottle, forcing the sediment towards the crown cap.

The bottle neck must then be frozen so the yeast can be disgorged, generally using a Champagel machine (made in Epernay, France, by a 60-year-old company that’s now known as Duguit Technologies). To make up for the lost volume, liquid called a dosage is then added to the bottle (dosage is sometimes an ever-so-slightly sweetened wine, sometimes it’s the same wine already in the bottle). Disgorging and dosage are usually done by the same machine (often from TDD Grilliat in France). Finally, bottles are corked, caged, labeled, and boxed—a perfect application for automation, the extent of which will depend on case production, budget, and facility capabilities.

Larger production houses rely on specialized equipment, much of it built in France or Italy, countries that have decades of experience turning out bubbles on a mass scale. MASPACK Packaging USA (Santa Rosa, Calif.), an arm of Italian-based MAS PACK, provides custom solutions for companies stateside turning out volume. It specializes in robotics that handle all aspects of automated bottling and packing, from depalletizers and decasers to case erectors, partition inserters (which can be done before or after bottles are put in the case box), sealers and packers, and then palletizers and pallet wrappers. It’s awesome to watch these in action.

Another big player in sparkling automation is Valentin Thierion, with offices in American Canyon, Calif. It’s been the leading French manufacturer of Champagne and sparkling wines production equipment since 1855, and specializes in disgorging equipment for sparkling wine. Last year, the company rolled out mobile disgorging services across the United States.

Rack & Riddle: Robot Love

The poster child for state-of-the-art sparkling production using multiple robotics is Rack & Riddle in Healdsburg, Calif., where winemaker Penelope Gadd-Coster’s team crushed 6,400 tons of winegrapes last year (the bulk of it for sparkling). The largest custom sparkling producer in Sonoma County, it serves more than 100 brands, many of whom you might recognize, and perhaps even drink, perhaps regularly. Sorry, we can’t share names.

With the help of a custom system that employs robotics designed and installed by MASPACK Packaging USA, Rack & Riddle increased annual production to half a million cases—and can climb to 750,000 cases, according to General Manager Mark Garaventa. Prior to the new system, a partially automated line enabled 1,400 cases, per single production run, for an output of 350,000 cases annually. With the new robotic line, it’s nearly doubled capacity, with the ability to handle 2,700 bottles per run.

Here’s a snapshot of a sparkling wine’s life in the Rack & Riddle operation: Once wine is ready to undergo secondary fermentation, it’s pumped from its tank to an automated sparkling production line, where sugar and yeast have been added to the tank, triaged on this dedicated line, and then moved to cages and boxes by robotics. Bottles are then crown-capped and placed into storage bins, where secondary fermentation creates the fine, tiny bubbles one expects from méthode Champenoise. The wine then ages, on the lees in bins, from six months to a few years, depending on client wishes (Gadd-Coster says she’s aged wine on the lees for up to 7 years for one particular client).

After aging, the bottles are put into riddling bins, where they are riddled robotically for 3 to 4 weeks. Bottles are placed neck-down on the production line, where the lees are frozen and popped out. Another robot moves the bottles from riddling cages to the neck freezer. Each bottle it topped off with the client’s choice of dosage, and, in an automated ballet of utter precision, the bottles are corked, caged, foiled, labeled, packed, and a robot moves bottles to the cases that are palletized for shipment. It’s a breathtaking performance with remarkably few witnesses. A handful of crewmembers stand by, ever observant, making sure the labels are all perfectly straight and watching for the occasional conveyor belt mishap. But mostly, it all goes like Swiss clockwork.

Asked how automation impacts labor, Gadd-Coster notes that Rack & Riddle has actually beefed up its team, and workers are doing more skilled tasks, instead of manual ones. Plus, because the company only runs a single shift now, there’s no need for workers to pull long hours (at least for the moment), meaning more time with family—and isn’t that the idea of a life worth celebrating?

Shoestring Brilliance

Equinox, in Santa Cruz, Calif., is headed up by Barry Jackson, the “Archbishop of Bubbles,” who makes dozens of small lots of sparkling wine for producers such as Ser, Bonny Doon, La Rochelle, Scheid, Hahn, and local darling, Kathryn Kennedy. (In fact, it was Marty Mathis of Kathryn Kennedy who implored Jackson to purchase the Mirassou sparkling equipment after the company sold its name to Gallo.)

Automated sparkling equipment isn’t cheap, so there’s a lot of reuse and recycling. Jackson also acquired some of Wente’s sparkling equipment when it exited the bubblemaking business in 2006, including a Gyropalette (dating to the 1970s), made by Oeno Concepts of Epernay, France. To see this beastly old monstrosity in action is to witness The Terminator coming to life out of cold storage. Shaking and vibrating like its own metallic earthquake, it decisively manhandles heavy tirage boxes filled with up to 480 bottles each. Le Gyropalette employs a six-day cycle to rotate bottles from being on their sides to sur pointe, which means basically standing on their heads. It’s simple but so effective.

Jackson also acquired a corker and wine hooder from Roederer last year, and will soon be getting a new labeller from Valentin USA. “If the machines operate as I expect, we should be able to double our daily throughput,” says Jackson. “Currently, we can do 1,200 to 1,600 bottles in a day. In theory, we’ll [be able to] do this with fewer people, but we’ll see.” With more than 11,000 cases to handle yearly—3,000 of which are Wente’s Cuvee Brut Reserve Sparkling Wine—getting automated in every possible aspect is critical.

Robots Replace Ghosts

French champagne houses have been largely automated for decades to keep up with worldwide demand. The same can be said for Italy and prosecco producers. Arnaud Weyrich, longtime winemaker of Roederer Estate in California’s Anderson Valley, credits the legendary Michel Salgues, from whom he took the reins in 2003, for investing in automation more than 20 years ago: “If you buy the right equipment, it lasts 30 years.”

Weyrich says the United States is 18 to 20 years behind France and Europe, from a sparkling automation standpoint. But, he observes, California has finally started to catch up over the last two to three years. Roederer recently added automatic bottle packing and palletizing, the former from French company Tecma Aries and the latter from Honeywell Intelligrated (based in Ohio). “There isn’t much value added by human labor in these repetitive situations,” he says, adding, “There’s so much stress. We need machines to remove the heavy lifting. It makes the staff happy, and it makes the insurance company really happy.”

He hopes to get his disgorging and packaging lines fully automated soon: “Eventually, I want no human hands touching a bottle, through the whole line, until a forklift driver picks up the pallets of finished wine.”

As for the impact of automation on labor, he points to the difficulty finding enough workers: “It’s so hard to find staff here that the robots are replacing ghosts. We’re going to be more efficient with the same staff, and we will train them to do more skilled and value-added tasks”—like disgorging all the cases of magnums, which must be done by hand, typically with a crew of five over a two-day period each month. There’s a lot of pride in those magnums. The company recently opened a few together to toast the enduring success of the brand.

Small Production, Big Hearts

In the heart of the Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA, just outside of Sebastopol, Calif., sit 160 acres of prime chardonnay and pinot noir, earmarked for the 15,000 to 16,000 annual cases of Iron Horse Vineyards’ famous small-lot cuvees, which support causes near and dear to the proprietor Sterling family’s very generous hearts. Ocean Reserve, created in partnership with National Geographic, donates $4 per bottle to Nat Geo’s Ocean Initiative. Other offerings are disgorged and released seasonally, such as Gratitude, started after the area’s wildfires in 2017, $5 of which goes to the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

David Munksgard, winemaker at Iron Horse since 1996, has upwards of 40 vintages under his belt. Rather than hew to a formulaic style, he and the Sterlings seek the best vintage expressions each year. Munksgard favors whole cluster pressing, typically with no malolactic fermentation to preserve fruit (although he has a few lots in the cellar that are 100 percent ML), fractional pressing, and rigorous battonage; barrel ferments add complexity. “The result is great depth of flavor and character, yet the weight and texture remain light and silky to just glide across the palate,” he says.

READ FULL STORY HERE: http://www.spiritedbiz.com/big-tech-for-tiny-bubbles-u-s-sparkling-wine-producers-are-starting-to-embrace-automation/

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic receding, wineries are increasingly upgrading and modernizing equipment for the vineyard, winemaking, and packaging to optimize and automate more manual processes. Machinery like depalletizers is gaining traction because they play a crucial role in automating the handling of bulk glass. Bulk glass lowers costs and the winery’s carbon footprint by eliminating third-party charges for packing glass into cases before delivery. It reduces the number of trucks (and thus CO2 emitted) by 35 percent or more.

Mimi Storts, Senior Director of Planning and Operations at Hess Persson Estates, recently upgraded the Hess Collection bottling line. She explains, “At Hess Collection, we had only one bottling line, and it was nearing its end of life. Quality is number one, so we wanted the new bottling line to maintain that quality and retain our internal quality oversight.”

Storts also needed two capabilities the old line didn’t have: to handle the screw cap finish for one of their largest SKUs, Select Chardonnay, and run both case and bulk glass. She sent out RFPs, considered several machinery suppliers, and decided to work with a partnership of MBF North America and APS Packaging, formerly Maspack USA, for a turnkey line. APS delivered a depalletizer that could do both glass formats, an uncaser, the conveyor equipment, a case erector to form cases, a case packer, a partition inserter, a resealer, and a unitizer ― all from the Italian equipment manufacturer MasPack, APS strategic partner.

“The unitizer (also called a palletizer) is different from others in the industry,” Storts says. “It has a robot arm that lets you create pallet patterns unique to the wine we’re running at the touch of a button. The line moved us from a manual mechanical system to a more computer-based automated one. We’ve had lots of visitors checking out their magnificent work. They’re interested in making purchases themselves because it really is a pioneering piece of equipment.”

Growing to meet equipment needs

That interest signals future growth for the wine industry and the companies that support it. APS CEO Alberto Migliardi agrees, "After seven years in business, sales and projects we are working on have grown significantly. With this rapid growth, we are expanding to ensure top-notch service for our clients' machinery." 

APS Packaging more than doubled its facility space, adding more than 2000 square feet exclusively for its Technical Support Department, including implementing a well-stocked warehouse for efficient parts management. Founder and CEO Alberto Migliardi also hired Pierluigi Maruccia as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) to lead the increased demand for equipment services. Maruccia spent more than a decade at MasPack. "I started as an electrician at MasPack when I was 20 years old and had the opportunity to travel around the world, including living three years in Chile handling technical service for South America and Mexico. I took care of all the technical aspects of service, including electrical, mechanical, electronic and software-related issues."

Photo: Leigh Wachter

Migliardi highlighted Maruccia's critical role in APS's future growth and success, "Pier's highly-technical background and ability to manage the technical side of the company independently makes him a crucial asset for APS, allowing us to drive forward in the post-COVID winery landscape to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the market.”

His responsibilities include implementing an inventory management system to track every item in the expanded warehouse and monitoring all machine service activities, including client service requests. He will also oversee the company's software-based preventive maintenance program and remote technical service.

“One reason we went with MBF and APS was their commitment to service,” Storts adds. “Alberto and his team were here every time new equipment arrived to unpack and install it themselves because it was during Covid. It was challenging because the equipment sat unloaded in a San Francisco port for months, but we never felt left out in the wind. Alberto and his team were wonderful. It was like family.”

APS also installed packaging lines for Rodney Strong Vineyards, Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services & Bottling, Frank Family Vineyards and Infinity Bottling. The fact that Infinity is next door to Hess Collection was a bonus for Storts, who says, “Infinity was so gracious throughout the installation, and they are also big champions of APS and the MasPack brand, which added to the family atmosphere.”

“Our focus has been on wine and spirits since we brought in the first machines in 2016," shares Migliardi. “That's why we chose to base ourselves here in Sonoma County, where we've grown deep connections to the local community. The rolling hills and vineyards remind me of my vineyards in Castel Boglione (Italy), where I learned the art of working in the vineyards and winery.”

Par Then Bar Open: 3rd Annual Golf Tournament 

APS and MBF’s partnership moves beyond packaging lines to hosting its annual Par Then Bar Open Golf Tournament for customers (www.parthenbaropen.com). This year’s is on Friday, June 9th, at Eagle Vines Golf Course in American Canyon. This edition is dedicated in memory of John Vicini, founder of Trecini Winery recently passed away.

Thank you to all the sponsors of this event: Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services, Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Frank-lin Distillers Products, DB Group International Freight Forwarding Company, Wine Industry Network, Maverick Enterprise, Garvey Corporation, Lawson Drayage and Intercap USA

Contact Migliardi at alberto@aps-pack.com or 707-757-7725 for information and to participate.

As the situation around novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, Maspack Packaging USA informs that it is taking all the necessary precautions to safeguard the health of our employees, customers, suppliers and partners. Our technical support is still available 24/7 thanks to remote assistance technology, telephone, e-mail and conference calls. The physical presence of our staff is still available, until otherwise notified, and is using personal protective equipment, implementing sanitizing and social distancing. Our sales team can meet virtually using Skype, email and conference call meetings.

In Italy, our Headquarters is in strict observance of the Italian Council of Ministers Presidency Decree dated 14th March 2020, with regards to COVID-19, which includes limited access to the company with temperature checks before getting into the facility, immediate quarantine for those with suspicious symptoms, separate toilets for suppliers and external carriers, intensification of cleaning and disinfections of all the areas, and working remotely wherever possible.

The health and safety of our teams, our industry, and our families is the most important thing to us. We are monitoring this closely and will continue to take all the precautionary measures to keep everyone safe.

The 5th Annual Par Then Bar Open® (PTBO) Golf Tournament is back on May 16, 2025, at Eagle Vines Golf Club in American Canyon—and this is your chance to be part of an exclusive wine industry tradition that blends competition, camaraderie, and connection.

Why Play in PTBO? This one-of-a-kind industry event, presented by APS Packaging & MBF North America, is more than just a golf tournament. It’s a chance for winery professionals, suppliers, and service providers to step away from the daily grind and enjoy a fun, relaxed atmosphere while building meaningful industry connections.

With a field of industry professionals from across the wine sector, PTBO creates the perfect setting for networking—whether it’s chatting between holes, sharing a meal at the post-game dinner and awards ceremony, or celebrating at the after-party with music and an open bar.

What Are the Requirements? Wineries are welcome to play in the tournament for free! A completed foursome per company is required to play. There is a 1 team limit per company. If you don’t have a foursome but are interested in playing, you are still encouraged to apply in case of spot availability. 

A Golf Event Like No Other. From the moment players arrive, they are greeted with a swag bag filled with sponsor gifts, setting the tone for a day of enjoyment and appreciation. Throughout the course, players will have chances to win incredible prizes, including a brand-new Toyota Truck in the Hole-In-One contest. In past years, winners have walked away with prizes such as 60” Samsung TVs, high-end speakers, and golf lasers.

A Celebration of the Wine Industry. What sets PTBO apart is its emphasis on bringing the wine industry together in an engaging and enjoyable setting. As Alberto Migliardi, CEO of APS Packaging and creator of PTBO, puts it: “Instead of a business focus, it’s a fun-together focus.” This philosophy has made PTBO one of the most anticipated annual events in the wine industry.

Be Part of the Tradition. Whether you're an avid golfer or just looking for a great industry event, PTBO offers a welcoming, no-pressure environment where everyone can have fun, make connections, and celebrate the wine industry together.

How Do I Apply? If you are interested in participating in this year’s tournament, please register here.
For questions regarding the event, visit parthenbaropen.com or contact Gisselle Aguilera, APS Marketing Manager, at 707-799-7502 or marketing@aps-pack.com.

Par Then Bar Open Golf Tournament: Where Wine Industry Networking Meets Opportunity

Beyond branding - connect with key decision-makers in a relaxed, high-impact setting


Become a sponsor of the 6th Annual Par Then Bar Open® and showcase your brand to key players in the packaging and bottling industries. With multiple sponsorship levels available, this premier golf networking event delivers visibility, relationship-building, and lasting industry impact.

Click on the flyer → for more information, 
or contact Gisselle Aguilera at
marketing@aps-pack.com or call at 
707-799-7502.

To learn more about the PTBO event, please visit our website at parthenbaropen.com!

We are deeply saddened to say that we lost our beloved founder Alberto Migliardi on December 9th, 2025..

He was more than our founder, he was our family..

He meant a great deal to us, and we know he meant a lot to all of you. Alberto was one of the most loving, joyful, and genuinely funny souls most people will ever meet. He had an extraordinary ability to turn ordinary moments into lasting memories through laughter, stories, music, or simply by bringing people together. Human connection was at the center of everything he did. He thrived on presence, conversation, shared experiences, and those spontaneous moments that make life richer.

If you knew Alberto, you knew how deeply he cared. He had a rare gift for making people feel seen and valued, and he carried that same authenticity into his work. Alberto embraced life as fully and openly as he embraced the people in it. He was always ready with a big hug, a warm smile, and genuine enthusiasm for seeing familiar faces again. His legacy lives on in the relationships he built, the community he fostered, and the countless moments of joy he created simply by being himself.

“If you didn’t know Alberto, you didn’t really know the world’s wine industry. In a lot of ways, he was the industry to so many of us. He carried a rare kind of light and goodness that poured out of him, and everyone nearby wanted to be a part of it. His love was contagious. He lit up every room and made you feel like family the second you met.”
- Jasper Riddle, Owner of Noisy Water Winery

APS Packaging remains committed to building upon and honoring the legacy established by Alberto. We will continue to provide the highest quality bottling lines and technical support to the wine, spirits, and beverage industries; thus, carrying forward the vision, values, and standards set by Alberto.

He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten in our hearts..

We are 1 month out from the Birdies Fore Bourbon Golf Tournament! â›³ï¸

Morrison, MBF North America, and APS Packaging present a free golfing tournament for anyone in the wine, spirit, and beverage industries. ðŸ¥ƒ

Join us for a fun-filled shotgun tournament followed by an awards ceremony, dinner, and dancing this October 16 in Richmond, Kentucky. Outing will be played in a scramble format. ðŸŒï¸‍♂️

If you haven’t registered to play in this unique industry golf event, there is still time to apply! Register now by emailing marketing@aps-pack.com by September 30. 📩

 Established in 2015 with the aim of offering innovative solutions for line automation in the bottling and packaging sector, APS Packaging’s mission is to provide quality products to the wine industry and the olive oil industry!

An experienced and knowledgeable team works to deliver excellence in:

 Engineering

 Installation

 Commissioning

 After-Sales Service

APS Packaging works with Maspack S.P.A, an Italian manufacturer of packaging and robotic machinery, to provide automated solutions such as: 

 Depalletizers & Palletizers

 Case Erectors

 Case Packers

 Partition Inserters

 Pallet Wrappers

 Conveyor Systems

 Customized Projects

 If you are interested in automating your olive oil production, you can email us at info@aps-pack.com or call us at 707-757-7725 for more information!

📚 We are honored to share that a significant part of APS Packaging's heritage is now at the UC Davis library!

🇮🇹 APS Packaging is a California-based company with Italian roots. Fulvio Lavina & Giuseppe Billella's book "Something from Nothing: The Emergence of Canelli's Enological Industry" details the development of the famous wine industry in Canelli.

⚙️ The continuous growth of the industry created a need for better winemaking and bottling equipment, which led to the establishment of advanced equipment and machinery producers.

🍇 It is our mission to educate aspiring winemakers about the historical importance of automated machinery in the wine industry. Students now have access to the book and can learn more today!

⛳️ The 3rd Annual Birdies Fore Bourbon golfing tournament is almost here! Morrison, MBF North America, and APS Packaging present a free golfing tournament for wineries, distilleries, and spirit manufacturers. 

🏌️‍♂️Join us for a fun-filled shotgun tournament followed by an awards ceremony, dinner, and dancing this October 16 in Richmond, Kentucky. Outing will be played in a scramble format.

📩 To reserve your spot in the tournament or if you’re interested in sponsoring, 
please email marketing@aps-pack.com by September 30!

Bridging the Gap: APS Packaging Launches Experiential Learning Fund for Future Wine & Beverage Leaders


APS Packaging, in collaboration with the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, took a group of students to tour Hess Persson Estates and Infinity Bottling!

We noticed the need for real-world skills and industry knowledge in the classroom, so we kick-started the “APS Packaging Experiential Learning Fund.” This fund is a game-changer for students as it provides students with invaluable opportunities, including field trips, guest speaker presentations, and hands-on education focused on bottling and its significance.

A huge thank you to David Davenport and Jessica Tuteur from Infinity Bottling, Mimi Storts and Andy Strasser from Hess Persson Estates, and Sergio Ciocchetta from MBF North America for taking the time to talk to us about the importance of automation. Automating a bottling line boosts efficiency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness, making it a vital investment for any operation aiming to stay competitive.

If you wish to support our future winemakers, distillers, and brewers, consider making a donation to the “APS Packaging Experiential Learning Fund.” All proceeds go to enhancing students’ industry knowledge through real-world experiences. Donations can be made through this link: tinyurl.com/apslearningfund.

Par Then Bar Open Golf Tournament: Where Wine Industry Networking Meets Opportunity

Beyond branding—connect with key decision-makers in a relaxed, high-impact setting

The Par Then Bar Open® (PTBO) Golf Tournament, presented by APS Packaging & MBF North America, will be held on May 16, 2025, at Eagle Vines Golf Club in American Canyon. The tournament is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, so it is your chance to be part of an exclusive wine industry tradition that blends competition, camaraderie, and connection. This event is more than just a day on the greens—it’s a unique opportunity for wine industry vendors to build valuable relationships, enhance brand visibility, and foster meaningful relationships within the wine and spirits community. 

Why Sponsor PTBO? Sponsoring PTBO isn’t just about having your logo on a sign—it’s about engaging directly with key decision-makers in a relaxed and social setting. With attendees ranging from CEOs, winemakers, general managers, operations leaders, and packaging specialists, the event offers vendors an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their products, services, and expertise in an environment designed for relationship-building rather than hard selling.

Each sponsor is given a dedicated booth at a hole, providing a natural and informal setting to interact with industry professionals as they make their way through the course. Unlike traditional trade shows, where attendees are often overwhelmed with sales pitches, PTBO fosters organic conversations and genuine networking moments that lead to long-term business partnerships.

Brand Visibility & Exclusive Engagement. The PTBO sponsorship program offers a high-impact way to increase brand awareness within the industry. From branded swag bags and on-course signage to digital promotions and social media exposure, sponsors benefit from a multi-channel marketing boost that extends beyond the event itself.

 Additionally, PTBO is a free-to-attend event for the wine and spirits business community, which is made possible entirely through sponsorships. That means your support not only provides your company with direct access to key industry players but also reinforces your brand’s commitment to the wine industry’s growth and community-building efforts.

More Than a Game: A Strategic Networking Event. As Alberto Migliardi, CEO of APS Packaging and creator of PTBO, emphasizes, “It’s not just a business event; it’s a moment of joy, a moment of gathering, a moment of exchange.” This philosophy is what makes PTBO stand out—it’s an opportunity for sponsors to engage with current and potential clients in a setting where connections happen naturally.

Beyond the course, the event concludes with an awards dinner and after-party, providing further touchpoints to interact with attendees in a more casual and enjoyable setting.

Join the PTBO Sponsorship Network for vendors in the bottling, packaging, automation, and winery supply sectors. PTBO is a can’t-miss sponsorship opportunity. Secure your spot today and position your company as a leader in supporting the wine industry’s continued innovation and success.

For sponsorship inquiries, contact Gisselle Aguilera, APS Marketing Manager, at 707-799-7502 or marketing@aps-pack.com.

As wineries navigate a changing market, the need for efficient, space-saving, and cost-effective automation has never been greater. APS Packaging & Automation is responding to this shift with the introduction of the Jollypack Monoblock, a fully automated, compact end-of-line solution designed specifically for smaller wineries with limited production space and tighter equipment budgets.

A Smarter Approach to Winery Automation

The Jollypack Monoblock streamlines multiple functions into a single, fully automated system, including case erecting, case packing, partition inserting, and case sealing. Its small footprint allows wineries to automate production without the need for a large bottling line—providing a practical and affordable entry point into automation. Now available in a stainless steel design, the Jollypack ensures durability and longevity during production.

“With today’s market shifts, wineries aren’t operating the way they used to, and many can’t justify the investment in large-scale bottling lines,” says APS Packaging’s CEO Alberto Migliardi. “The Jollypack Monoblock is a perfect solution for wineries looking to increase efficiency without overspending. It’s designed to fit into smaller production spaces while offering the functionality of a much larger system.”

Scalable Growth for Expanding Wineries

A key advantage of the Jollypack Monoblock is its modular design, allowing wineries to start small and expand over time. Wineries can begin with a basic setup, such as a case erector and packer, and add features like the partition inserter and case sealer later on. APS also offers automatic depalletizers and palletizers with an integrated wrapper to fully automate the bottling process.

“This equipment grows with you,” explains Alberto. “Instead of making a massive upfront investment, wineries can start with an affordable component, automate key processes, and expand their capabilities as their business scales. It’s a smart way to increase efficiency and reduce labor costs without overcommitting financially.”

Comprehensive Technical Support & Local Service

For wineries hesitant about investing in automation due to concerns over setup and maintenance, APS Packaging provides 24/7 customer service and local technician support. Whether by phone or in-person, APS ensures that its customers receive the assistance they need to keep operations running smoothly.

Visit APS Packaging at Unified Symposium

APS Packaging will be showcasing the Jollypack Monoblock at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium at Booth #2040. This is the perfect opportunity for wineries to see the system in action, ask questions, and explore how this compact automation solution can fit into their production line.

More Than Equipment: Investing in the Wine Industry Community
Beyond providing cutting-edge equipment solutions, APS Packaging is deeply invested in fostering community connections in the wine industry. Each year, APS hosts Bubble Bash during the Unified Symposium, offering an informal setting for industry professionals to network, relax, and celebrate. Additionally, APS organizes the Par Then Bar Open® Golf Tournament, creating another opportunity for wineries, suppliers, and service providers to connect outside of work in a fun and engaging way.

“At APS, we recognize that no matter what challenges the industry faces, there’s always value in community,” says Alberto. “We’re committed to providing solutions that wineries need now, while also creating spaces where industry professionals can come together.”

For more information about the Jollypack Monoblock and APS Packaging’s full range of automation solutions, visit aps-pack.com or stop by their booth #2040 at the Unified Symposium.

To learn more about 5th Annual Par Then Bar Open – or become a sponsor – visit parthenbaropen.com or contact Gisselle Aguilera at marketing@aps-pack.com

Imagine a warm and sunny day in May. You're walking across the green fairway of a golf course (or riding in a cart if you prefer), surrounded by vineyards and oak-studded rolling hills. When you arrive at the tee, there's a gathering of friends and colleagues. You mingle—catching up with old friends or meeting new ones. You stop at a booth to snag a glass of sparkling wine or limoncello and place a bet on how many capsules are in the jar; if you're right, it could win you a prize. When it's time for your foursome to tee off, you move on through the course to the next tee, where more fun awaits. The day ends at the clubhouse with a full dinner, awards ceremony and a party with the DJ spinning music for dancing, drinking and good vibes.

This scenario isn't just a daydream or another weekend golf game in wine country; it's an entirely different experience designed to provide a casual environment for the hard-working folks in the wine and spirits industry to have fun and connect.

Join the Fun

Why the festivities? 

It is one of the ways that APS Packaging and MBF NA, the promotors of the event, and the tournament’s sponsors say thank you to its customers and the industry as a whole. 

This is the fourth year of the annual Par Then Bar Open (PTBO) tournament. It will be held on May 17th, 2024, at Eagle Vines Golf Club in American Canyon, an 18-hole, par 72 golf course.

"It's not just for our customers," says Alberto Migliardi, CEO of APS Packaging and creator of Par Then Bar Open. "Anyone in the wine industry has been able to join. We started this golf tournament to thank existing clients and to get to know new clients. It will be a moment of joy, a moment of gathering, a moment of interchange, exchange, opinion, to drink together. It's fun and relaxed. Instead of a business focus, it's a fun-together focus." 

Migliardi notes that participating in the tournament has never been an obligation. Golfers can connect with the sponsors, each of whom has a booth at a hole, but are under no obligation to do so. There are no hidden costs or requirements to meet with anyone or buy anything. "It's a social gathering," he points out, "and a free event for the wine and spirits business community."

"PTBO is made possible by our wonderful sponsors," says Migliardi. "All those invited will be able to attend for free, thanks to these partners."

Make Connections and Win Prizes

Everyone who plays are welcomed with a swag bag upon arrival to thank them for coming and there are numerous contests and giveaways for golfers to win. In 2022, the winner of the Longest Drive took home a 60" Samsung TV, the golfer whose drive was Closest to the Pin won speakers and a bottle of Barolo and another winner walked away with the best gadget of the day—a golf laser to measure distance. This year, players have the chance to win a brand-new Toyota Truck if they win the Hole-In-One contest.

The event concludes with a dinner, Awards ceremony and the after-party where a DJ will curate music for listening and dancing, and the bar will be open for your enjoyment. This event has been a great opportunity to meet other people, get to know each other, and have fun in an atmosphere designed to create lasting interconnections between people in the industry.

This is the fourth year of the annual Par Then Bar Open (PTBO) tournament and the event has already reached its full capacity for players, but those interested in sponsoring should contact Gisselle Aguilera, APS Marketing Manager, for more information at 707-799-7502 or marketing@aps-pack.com.  If you want to learn more about PTBO, visit parthenbaropen.com!