Los Angeles-based Bay Cities Packaging & Design, in partnership with Cruz Foam, crafted an innovative 100% sustainable wine bottle shipping package for wineries and the growing number of environmentally-conscious consumers. The package is not only entirely reusable, but also exemplifies environmental responsibility during disposal. Once it reaches the end of its life cycle, the Cruz Foam insulation can be composted,* and the outer corrugate layer can be recycled in a curbside recycling bin. 

This newly developed foam made from chitosan (a biopolymer derived from seafood industry waste and other food waste) will revolutionize the wine shipping industry and marks a significant stride forward in the packaging circularity movement that offers several benefits to eco-conscious wineries, including: 

• Reducing waste by breaking down into nutrient-rich compost instead of languishing in landfills; 
• Lighter weight and more compact packaging material resulting in lower freight costs; 
• Insulating wine from temperature extremes 
• Appealing to consumers who are increasingly buying from businesses with more sustainable solutions. 

“We are excited about the debut of the eco-friendly wine shipping solution at this year’s WIN Expo,” says Sahar Mehrabzadeh, EVP of Sales at Bay Cities. “Being an employee-owned company makes us [Bay Cities] passionate about creating customer-tailored solutions like the 100% sustainable shipping solution engineered to protect fragile, temperature-sensitive wine bottles in transit.”

Toby Corey, Executive Chairman & COO of Cruz Foam, agrees. “We wanted to solve the issue that our winery customers have with shipping wine during the hot summer months. This proprietary innovation is environmentally controlled and 100% sustainable, made with our compostable foam and recyclable corrugated paper, which aligns with our circular material focus. It has been great working with a partner that has put sustainability at the forefront of everything they do.” 

Bay Cities is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Their sustainable packaging is composed of 90% post-consumer material and is 100% recyclable. Its paper is from the New Indy paper mill, which runs on renewable sources for 73% of its energy, and, in turn, the steam generated powers Bay Cities’ corrugator with zero waste and zero transmissions in the manufacturing of the corrugated board. Cruz Foam’s compostable formula is currently in the process of ASTM testing and obtaining the appropriate certifications for this new product. 

Additionally, Bay Cities ensures the shipping integrity of all sustainable packaging with rigorous testing in its in-house, ISTA-certified testing labs. The lab equipment simulates on-the-road shipping conditions to make sure wine bottles are protected from breakage when packages slide back and forth when trucks climb mountains, bounce as they maneuver over potholes, or survive inadvertent falls during transit.

The Bay Cities winery portfolio includes over 50 wine packaging and shipping projects, from gift laydown boxes to point-of-sale displays and brown box shipping. It also has a creative services team for branding and graphic design, a structural design team to develop displays and other products it manufactures, and packout, fulfillment, and distribution facilities in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Jose, and Bentonville, AR. An added benefit is taking advantage of its strong relationships with U.S. grocery chains nationwide. 

To learn more about Bay Cities’ eco-friendly packaging solutions, be sure to visit their website or stop by booth #211 & #213 at WIN Expo to see their 100% compostable wine packaging up close. 

 *Compostability certification in progress 

Bay Cities, a leading designer and manufacturer of sustainable retail packaging and displays, and Cruz Foam, the TIME award-winning circular materials company, have joined forces to create a revolutionary wine shipping product that will transform the shipping experience. Available early 2024, this innovative product offers several benefits to eco-conscious wineries, including: 

• Appeal to Sustainability: Bioengineered foam made from seafood waste and recycled corrugate means this shipper is 100% compostable and recyclable
• Elegantly Crafted Designs: Elevates the unboxing experience with a sleek and structurally sound design
• Waste Reduction: Contributes to a significant reduction in landfill waste 
• Efficient and Light: Its lightweight and compact design reduces freight costs and makes shipping more efficient
• Thermal Control: Expertly insulated, ensuring wines remain protected from temperature extremes - perfect for summer months!

Stay tuned for the official announcement coming on November 30, happening at WINExpo. Join us at booth #211 and #213 to see a physical sample for yourself! 

How Retail Displays Address Every Stage of the Buyer’s Journey

A carefully designed retail POP display can speak directly to all stages of the buyer's journey: awareness, consideration, and decision.

The EcoVino(™) product range has options for Premium, Everyday, and Champagne and are created of fully compostable and recyclable materials 

November 27, 2023 - - Los Angeles, CA - - Bay Cities, a leading designer and manufacturer of sustainable retail packaging and displays, and Cruz Foam, the TIME award-winning circular materials company, today announced the launch of their new EcoVino(TM) range of earth-friendly wine shipping products. The companies are debuting sustainable packaging solutions at the WIN Expo trade show which is the largest trade show focused exclusively on wineries in California, and the 2nd largest wine industry show in North America. 

“We are excited about the debut of the eco-friendly wine shipping solution at this year’s WIN Expo,” says Sahar Mehrabzadeh, EVP of Sales at Bay Cities. “Our customers can now confidently send wine club shipments, premium wine from auction houses, gifts and other deliveries at any time of the year and in an appealing and sustainable presentation. EcoVino’s packaging is not only in line with consumer’s sustainable values but also in line with the wine industry’s sustainable farming practices.”  

“Over the two past years, Cruz Foam has been increasingly approached by wine, beverage and luxury brands for environmentally-conscious e-commerce packaging for wines and spirits companies,” said John Felts, CEO & Co-Founder of Cruz Foam. “Our partnership with Bay Cities will allow us to provide the highest quality, compostable impact and thermal protection for wines and spirits with appealing, brand-positive designs.” 

Approximately 2.2 million tons of expanded polystyrene foam is produced annually. Bay Cities’ mission is to replace polystyrene foam that is used in the wine industry with Cruz Foam, a bioengineered foam made from seafood waste, thereby reducing the plastic that is filling our landfills and oceans.  

Bay Cities is FSC® and SFI® certified, and uses eco-friendly, food-safe water-based inks. The wine packaging is made with up to 99% post-consumer waste and is 100% recyclable. Together, Bay Cities and Cruz Foam have created a budget-friendly sustainable, thermal-controlled wine shipping solution.  

### 

About Bay Cities 

Bay Cities, the leading designer and manufacturer of retail packaging and displays, executes eco-friendly solutions for major brands. Bay Cities’ designs influence shopper behavior in-store and uses technology to drive sales and encourage impulse purchases. With retailer relationships nationwide, Bay Cities’ solutions expand from initial design to ISTA-certified testing, manufacturing, packout and distribution. As a direct manufacturer of corrugate, all board comes with SFI® and FSC® certification and uses up to 99% post-consumer waste. Learn more by visiting www.bay-cities.com.  

About Cruz Foam 

Cruz Foam is a circular materials company that produces regenerative, earth-digestible, and certified curbside recyclable protective packaging products and other eco-friendly solutions that offer a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic products. Cruz Foam's patented products are circular in nature, using biopolymers to create a compostable material using the existing supply chain and at a similar cost. Cruz Foam currently works with consumer-packaged goods, electronics, appliance and durable goods companies. Cruz Foam is a mission-driven company that creates impact at scale by empowering industry leaders to be the catalyst for a cleaner environment. Cruz Foam is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. 

For more information, please contact Katie Crockford, Marketing Director at Bay Cities, katiec@bay-cities.com. 

Bay Cities and Cruz Foam chosen to provide the industry’s first fully sustainable wine shipping protection for impact and insulation  

PICO RIVERA, CA, US, March, 2024 – Mondavi Sisters’ Collection, renowned for its commitment to sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship, will be shipping its wine club deliveries in one-of-a-kind 100 percent sustainable EcoVino™ wine packaging, Mondavi and the manufacturers, Bay Cities® and Cruz Foamo™ announced today. 

Cognizant of the importance of protecting, preserving, and respectfully utilizing the earth, the Mondavi sisters employ the most effective sustainable farming practices. “The essence of crafting all wine starts with the soil and land.  Without a healthy earth, there is no wine. As farmers of the land, we possess an obligation to employ the most responsible practices possible to be able to continue our legacy for generations to come,” said Alycia Mondavi, CEO and Co-Proprietress of Mondavi Sisters’ Collection. “This is why we are thrilled to partner with Bay Cities and Cruz Foam on their EcoVino wine shipping solutions, a collaboration that will make our operations that much more sustainable.” 

Mondavi Sisters’ Collection is owned and operated by Angelina, Alycia, Riana, and Giovanna Mondavi, granddaughters of Napa Valley winemaking pioneer Peter Mondavi Sr. 

EcoVino, a partnership between Bay Cities, a leading designer and manufacturer of sustainable retail packaging and displays, and Cruz Foam, recently named one of Fast Company’s 2024 World’s Most Innovative Companies, provides an innovative solution crafted from certified biodegradable, certified compostable foam, and recyclable corrugated cardboard. The foam is bioengineered using 70 percent upcycled food industry waste and recycled corrugate, ensuring a structurally sound design that elevates the unboxing experience. Additionally, EcoVino’s packaging contributes significantly to the reduction of landfill waste, with its efficient, lightweight, and compact design also reducing freight costs. 

Notably, EcoVino’s insulated temperature control feature makes it ideal for ensuring wine quality during the summer months. Certified for home composting and soon to be certified for landfill composting, EcoVino aligns seamlessly with the Mondavi Sisters’ commitment to sustainability.  

“We’re delighted to announce the addition of the Mondavi Sisters’ Collection to our EcoVino family,” said Sahar Mehrabzadeh, EVP of Sales at Bay Cities. “Their commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our values, and we’re proud to back their mission of producing outstanding wines with a focus on environmental stewardship.” 

“We are thrilled for the Mondavi Sisters’ Collection to be joining us in bringing fully sustainable wine shipping solutions into the wine industry,” said John Felts, CEO and Co-Founder of Cruz Foam. “Their deep commitment to sustainability is underscored by seeing their mission through to the customer delivery supply chain.” 

As Mondavi Sisters’ Collection embarks on this partnership with EcoVino, they reaffirm their commitment to excellence in winemaking and sustainability, ensuring that every aspect of their operation reflects their deep respect for the land and dedication to preserving it for future generations. 

About EcoVino™

EcoVino™ is a one-of-a-kind sustainable wine shipping product line produced by Bay Cities®, a leading designer and manufacturer of sustainable retail packaging and displays.  

In collaboration with Cruz Foam™, the TIME award-winning circular materials company, EcoVino is revolutionizing the industry by providing an earth-friendly solution crafted from 100 per cent recyclable corrugate, made with up to 99 per cent post-consumer waste, and certified biodegradable and compostable foam, bioengineered using 70 per cent upcycled food industry waste. 

In EcoVino, Bay Cities has created a budget-friendly, sustainable, ISTA-tested product line. EcoVino is available in various shipping quantity configurations and styles.  Learn more by visiting https://info.bay-cities.com/ecovino. 

About Mondavi Sisters’ Collection

Starting at the curious and energetic age of 10, each sister- Angelina, Alycia, Riana and Giovanna- spent their summers learning the family business from the ground up. Their grandparents wanted to not only share their passion for wine but to additionally generate strong values and inspire the sisters to understand that their work was a true labor of love. Knowing exactly how to accomplish this, the girls were put to work in the cellar and lab rather than the tasting room. Summer days consisted of odd jobs throughout the winery including schlepping hoses, cleaning tanks, soaking bottles, pulling samples and running analyses. A family tradition of summer winery jobs alongside their grandfather and father led each of the sisters to begin their own romance with the wine industry and subsequently each fell in love with their heritage simultaneously. 

With a desire to honor and pay respect to the generations before them, the sisters launched Dark Matter Wines in 2005, which was followed by the purchase of Aloft in 2017. Both labels focus on elements lending to the homage of the Mondavi Family, however have been reinvented in a presence that speaks to the sisters’ personalities and mission for years to come. 

For more information, please visit https://shop.mondavisisters.com/.

We had a great time at last week's Unified Wine & Grape Symposium! As our new product line, EcoVino^TM was the toast of the town, make sure to stay tuned for exciting updates to come...

Bay Cities, a premier designer and manufacturer of sustainable packaging and displays, will be at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium on January 24 and 25! We can't wait to reveal our latest developments.

Join us at booth #A2904 to:

• Dive into imaginative packaging solutions
• Discover our groundbreaking innovation, EcoVino - a wine shipping solution crafted in collaboration with Cruz Foam. EcoVino features compostable foam and recycled corrugated cardboard, making it 100% sustainable, revolutionizing the wine industry.

Don't miss the chance to explore our sustainable solutions and innovative packaging designs.

Unable to attend the event? Send us a note to set up a free consultation!

Take a look at just some of our wine projects that have enhanced the visual appeal of the brand and influenced a wine-drinker’s purchase decision.

Wine Packaging - Bay Cities (bay-cities.com) 

Sustainable packaging is become a priority for consumers when making purchase decisions, including wine! Learn how our shippers are not only incredibly sustainable but also protective - an important feature when shipping fragile products line wine. Wine Bottle Shipping: How to Choose Eco-Friendly Packaging (bay-cities.com) 

Wine Packaging & Displays That Shine on Shelf & Online

First impressions can make or break the buyer’s journey – it’s essential to grab their attention FIRST.    

Bay Cities understands the importance of eye-catching packaging and displays. Whether it’s being shipped or assembled in-store, we offer the solutions needed to make your product stand out on the shelf and behind the scenes.  

State-of-the-art Digital Printing

• Innovative cost & time saving technology perfect for retail packaging, RSC boxes & wine carriers  
• FDA certified food & beverage safe water-based inks  
• 800 dpi prints crisp small text even down to 4pt font

Unbeatable Lead times are 14 business days or less  

• In-house ISTA Testing protects your product and profit during the transportation process
• You provide the product, and we’ll handle the fulfillment in our 560,000 sq ft. warehouse 
• Strategic transportation management ensures your project is delivered on-time and in full
   

Preferred Provider     

We provide direct retail support. You can find our displays in every major retailer from BevMo, Costco, Kroger, and Total Wine, amongst others!  

Sustainability & Food Certifications 

• The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®)
• Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)  
• FDA registered 
• AIB  
• ABC licensed  
  
  

Contact us today to get started on your next retail display project!

The retail space is highly competitive, and it’s important to ensure that your displays are effective enough to drive impulse buys, connect with customers, and communicate brand messaging.

This slight adjustment to your marketing strategy can take your POP displays to the next level to increase impulse buys and brand awareness.

Download our eBook How to be Successful in Retail with a POP Display now for an insider scoop on elevating your goals, standards, and ROI for your brand. You'll learn things like:

• The Role of Displays in Retail
• How to Identify Goals of Display Programs
• Which Retailers Fit Your Brand
• Understanding Requirements and Style Guides
• Managing Costs of Goods
• Packout and Logistics
• And Much More!

Contact us today to get started on your next retail display project. 

Bay Cities specializes in custom, in-house manufactured, retail packaging and displays, with sustainability in mind. With over 65 years of industry experience, our team understands what it takes to deliver successful packaging and display solutions. 

What sets Bay Cities apart from other companies in the industry is our dedication to sustainability and offering solutions that best meet our partner's needs. From concept to completion, Bay Cities is a brand partner with a strong understanding of major retailers, shopper marketing, and supply chains, with sustainability in mind.

☑️ Retail Packaging
☑️ Shipping Boxes
☑️ Displays
☑️ Specialty Boxes
☑️Signage

Request a quote to get started on elevating your brand presence in an unforgettable way.

For over 65 years, Bay Cities has been North America’s most innovative packaging and display partner to brand marketers, major retailers, and e-commerce companies, providing integrated, end-to-end packaging and logistics solutions that are proven to drive sales, both on-shelf and online. Powered by technology and the best people, Bay Cities works seamlessly with brands and retailers to design and deliver product packaging and in-store display programs with ease and accuracy.

From concept to completion, Bay Cities is a brand partner with a strong understanding of major retailers, shopper marketing, and supply chains, with sustainability in mind. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings and to get started on your next WINNING retail display.

PRODUCTS:
✔️ Industrial Packaging
✔️ Retail Ready & Subscription Boxes
✔️ Display Pallet Programs
✔️ Sidekicks & Floorstands
✔️ Signage

SERVICES:
✔️Concept & Design
✔️Experiential Packaging
✔️ISTA Package Testing
✔️Manufacture & Print
✔️Logistics & Supply Chain
✔️Packout & Fulfillment
✔️Project Management
✔️Retail Display Campaign Programs

PRINTING TYPES:
✔️ Flexo Print - Single Pass Inside Outside Print
✔️ Digital Print - UV & Water based Inks
✔️ Litho Print - Premium Print Method

OTHER BENEFITS:
✔️ High-Speed Printers & Diecutters
✔️ Reduced Lead times
✔️ Flexible Order Qty's
✔️ Sustainable Manufacturing & Printing Packaging

Let us help you create a memorable unboxing experience for your next wine subscription launch or giveaway! 

Bay Cities has been the leading creative packaging and display partner to brand marketers, retailers, and e-commerce companies using sustainable practices for over 65 years. Our team of designers, manufacturers, sales professionals and logistics experts move the biggest name brands in the world from the manufacturer to the retail floor or the customer’s door –with seamless, end-to-end integration and flawless quality.

From concept to completion, we execute unique, eye-catching, and eco-friendly POP displays and packaging to help brands WIN at retail. Contact us today to get started on your next project.