Wine has its traditions, and they’re important. Many times, they’re what people pay for. Replica Wine, on the other hand, wants to change that. How? By reverse engineering some of the world’s most celebrated bottles — such as the Prisoner Red Blend, Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay and La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir — through data. They’re also selling these shamelessly labeled “knockoffs” for 25 to 50 percent less than the originals, making premium wines more approachable for everyday consumer.
The company has spent the past four years building a database measuring the tastes and aromas of over 2,000 wines. It also hired master sommelier Brett Zimmerman (one of only 230 in the world with the rank) to help its scientists create the blends that re-create the characteristics of their premium counterparts. Do they taste exactly the same? No. But they’re close enough to make one ask: Since when was there this much innovation in the wine world?
Origin: Colorado
Distribution: 35 states
Wines in Portfolio: 8