ZERO WINE LABS
&
CONSULTING

Handcrafted Non, Low & Alcoholic
Beverages

Peter Burford, originally from Adelaide, South Australia, began his career at d'Arenberg Winery in McLaren Vale in 1989, then after studying winemaking at Roseworthy Agricultural College he returned as the Assistant Winemaker.  
In 1995 he traveled to California where he made his first gold medal wine, an Alexander Valley Syrah. He continued to work as the Winemaker for Alexander Valley Vineyards, and then in 2000 he did two harvests in one year in North Eastern Thailand-making wine and brandy for Chateau de Loei Winery.
In 2001 he began working as the Winemaker and Operations Manager for Vinovation, Inc. This is where he began to explore the boundaries of the beverage industry by separating them on a molecular level. Vinovation was a melting pot of wine industry professionals where thinking outside the box was encouraged. Peter now applies his diverse knowledge of wine quality enhancement techniques to produce award winning wines, both non and full strength beverages, including ciders, beers and distilled spirits.
Whether he is 'sweet spotting" for balance or to produce non alcoholic beverages, he finds it the most challenging aspect within his field. Distillation goes hand in hand when producing non-alcoholic beverages and his experience with pot, continuous column, Soju, and vacuum distillation is extensive.
"Reformulating non-alcoholic beverages is extremely difficult and challenging.  Alcohol provides sweetness and enhances the aromatics, tannin profiles, body and provides stability."
Peter now offers his unique talents to customers who are trying to perfect their products. His wealth of experience will eliminate the pressures involved with development through to final product.  Peter is still the Chief Winemaker in the off season at Crabtree Wines in the Clare Valley, South Australia, where he focuses on Riesling.

His philosophies are derived from the following-
  • When tasting wine, the eye preconditions our senses of taste and smell.  Therefore a sound color is essential.  
  • The bouquet of the wine plays an integral part of the tasting experience.  All of our wines possess intense aromas-primarily fruity with an integrated bouquet of complex attributes that provide fullness.  
  • The wine must have a good length of concentrated fruit.  This provides a rich mouth-filling quality and texture that must be married harmoniously with its other qualities.  These fruit flavors should also provide vitality, in that; the wine must be distinctly varietal.
  • Young wines should be fresh, richly flavorful while older wines should have intriguing nuances from the flavor compounds that form gradually during oak and bottle aging.  This is why longevity plays an important role as added years in the bottle may further soften and marry its complex components.
  • Finally, balance is the most important component, since to some extent it is a description of all other quality objectives.
ABOUT image

SOURCING BASE BEVERAGES

ZWLC sources from quality producers who supply consistent products at fair market prices. Custom vinification is available, only at specific times of the year. Sparkling bases, cider, beer, red and white wines are chosen based on initial stylistic feedback from the customer.

BENCHTOP FORMULATION

Reformulation of the non-alcoholic base is very challenging. Sometimes dozens of iterations are required to reverse engineer the beverage into the desired aroma and flavor profile. ZWLC works with natural flavor suppliers, THC and CBD emulsion suppliers who tailor make enhancers for your beverages, and container.

FINISHED PRODUCT

ZWLC works with a large list of vendors and co-packers. We manage the whole process to ensure a quality product. Coordination of bulk beverage movements to & from suppliers & copackers.

COMING SOON - 0.0% Alcohol Sparkling Wines

Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Riesling

This handcrafted 2023 Riesling from Clare Valley exhibiting classic characteristics associated with the variety. Carbonated to 6 grams/liter this refreshing non-alcoholic beverage is great for any occasion.

$0.00

Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rose

This handcrafted 2023 Rose from Clare Valley exhibiting classic characteristics associated with the style. Carbonated to 6 grams/liter this refreshing non-alcoholic beverage is great for any occasion.

$0.00

How long does non-alcoholic wine last?

Unopened, non-alcoholic wine's shelf life is much shorter than its alcoholic counterparts. Generally speaking, these bottles only last for one or two years. Once the bottle is open, experts recommend consuming non-alcoholic wine within a few days—just as you would the alcoholic version.  Store your alcohol-free wine somewhere cool, even the reds.

Does alcohol free wine have sulfites?

Yes, non alcoholic wine has sulfites and histamines just like it's alcoholic brethren. As we mentioned above, non alcoholic wine is made through the same process as regular wine. Then it goes through the alcohol removal processes. 

How is non-alcoholic wine produced?

Most of the non-alcoholic wines are made using a combination of traditional winemaking techniques and gentle alcohol removal.  Methods such as reverse osmosis and vacuum distillation techniques can be employed.  Both remove alcohol only and this is why non-alcoholic wine has the same aroma and taste as traditional wine.

What are some of the benefits?

There are obvious health benefits of non-alcoholic wine, such as no hangover symptoms, better sleep, and more.  A typical Sauvignon Blanc contains approximately 81 calories per 100mL versus a zero alcohol wine with only 13 calories per 100mL.  

Crabtree Wines

2022 RC Estate Riesling from Watervale, South Australia

2022 RC Riesling – This one is more than a bit thrilling. Sure, a stunning vintage for Clare Riesling and there are plenty of brilliant wines, but this surely sits among the very best. The RC is only released in great years and 2022 certainly qualifies as that. The fruit is sourced from the Cellar Block Vineyard and the wine is made from purely free run juice. There were only 210 dozen produced. Do not miss this, if you are a Riesling fan. Few wines can walk the tightrope between a gossamer-like delicacy and a steely power in the way this does. Green/gold in colour, we have an entrancing and lifted nose of bath salts, talc, kaffir lime leaves, spices, steel and lemons. As fine as the perfumes are, when we hit the palate, just wow! It explodes with those flavors. There is fresh citrussy acidity, great length, impeccable balance and a clean, lingering, refreshing finish. This has fifteen years ahead of it without a problem. At the end of a long day tasting, one hopes that there will be a wine or two which has stood out, so that one can enjoy a glass in the evening. This was that wine." 97/100. $45. Ken Gargett. Wine Writer.

Crabtree Wines

2022 RC Estate Riesling from Watervale, South Australia

2022 RC Riesling - From the Cellar Door block of estate vines. Made only in best years. A small run of 210 dozen. Also known as 'RC Riesling', by the front label. Quite intense and concentrated in flavour profile. A Riesling of power and presence supporting the aspiration of a reserve wine. Scents of lemon curd, lime juice, warm steel and talc. Flavours set to green apple juice, blackcurrant and lime with an undercurrent of pink grapefruit acidity that stretches long. Feels serious in its style, and fancy. 94/100. $45. Mike Bennie. Wine Writer.

Cabana Wines

2020 Pinot Noir from Lodi, California

2020 Pinot Noir - Best Buy - 90 Points Wine Enthusiast - Ripe and fruity, this full-bodied wine offers concentrated black-plum and black-cherry flavors, moderate tannins for good grip and balancing acidity. This dry wine is versatile for food pairing. $25. - Jim Gordon

Weibel Winery

2019 Pinot Noir Sparkling 'Charmat' Rose from California.

2019 Pinot Noir Sparkling 'Charmat' Rose - Double Gold - Best of Class. 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition.

Helwig Winery

2019 G.S.M. from Shenandoah Valley, California.

2013 G.S.M. - 92 Points - Wine Enhtusiast. A tasty array of delicious fruit flavors merges with meaty, savory, smoky nuances in this full-bodied, bold-tasting and very enjoyable wine. It smells like blackberries, blueberries and oak smoke, and tastes more wild and beefy until a wave of fruit envelops the finish. It shows interesting complexity along with lip-smacking allure. — Jim Gordon

Helwig Winery

2012 Petite Sirah from Shenandoah Valley, California

2012 Petite Sirah - 93 points - Wine Enthusiast. Very impressive color, fruit concentration and tannic structure add up to an outstanding Petite Sirah. What's compelling is that this full-bodied wine seems to get its character purely from the concentrated and tannin-laden grapes rather than from new oak barrels or add-ins. This needs time in a cool cellar to show all its potential complexity. Best from 2016–2022. — Jim Gordon

Helwig Winery

2012 Barbera from Shenandoah Valley, California

2012 Barbera - 92 Points - Wine Enthusiast. This offers toasty, smoky aromas, bright fruit flavors, extra-firm tannins and full body. While it's attractive to drink now with all the lip-smacking raspberry flavors, it should gain some more complexity by 2017. — Jim Gordon

Melanto Terrace

2006 Sauvignon Blanc from North Coast, California

2006 Sauvignon Blanc - Best Buy - 90 points Wine Enthusiast. With a greenish tinge to the straw color, this is an ultradry, very crisp wine, especially notable for terrifically clean vibrancy. Blended with 5% Verdelho, it shows strong lemongrass, grapefruit, wildflower, candied ginger, spice and mineral flavors that finish impressively long. Easily one of the best $10 wines of the year. — S.H. Published 9/1/2007

https://rjwine.com/blog/review-archives/burford-brown-august-2005/
  • California, United States
  • Adelaide, South Australia