Two entrepreneurs in California say they have invented a table-top machine that will turn water and cheap grape concentrate into $30-a-bottle wine at the push of a button.
What began as a flippant conversation about Jesus’ fabled ability to make wine out of plain old H20, has yielded a new piece of kitchen gadgetary that its inventors claim can do the same.
‘We started to think that with today’s technology it might actually be possible,’ said Kevin Boyer, who has created the ‘Miracle Machine‘ alongside Philip James, a British entrepreneur with a Masters in chemistry from Oxford University. ‘It still seemed like a good idea the morning after.’
The pair have spent several years in the wine trade and presently are chief executive and chairman respectively of Custom Vine, which offers a bespoke winemaking service.
Now, they are seeking to raise $1m on the crowd funding website Kickstarter to produce 2,000 Miracle Machines.
Wine from the prototypes tasted well against $20-$30 wines at retail, Boyer told decanter.com. High quality concentrate is key to success, and Boyer said consumers will be able to buy $2 concentrate to produce wines in the style of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, a Burgundy Pinot Noir and a Tuscan red.
It takes three days for the machine to transform water and concentrate into wine, using electrical sensors, transducers, heaters and pumps. ‘You just have to watch,’ said Boyer.
You will also have to pay $499 upfront to buy one of the machines. But, Boyer said, ‘If you drink a bottle or two per week, then in half a year you’ve already made your money back.’
Written by Chris Mercer
