Winery

Bonding in the Vines: A Team-Building Day at a Maine Winery

September 18, 2025

Yesterday, Team Hauser swapped out our usual routines for a day among the vines at Willows Awake Winery in Leeds, Maine. What started as a team-building activity quickly became a memorable experience of connection, collaboration, and appreciation for the winemaking process.

We arrived at 9 a.m. and spent the morning picking Itasca grapes, moving row by row together in rhythm. It was incredible to watch our team fall into a natural flow—passing lugs, clipping clusters, and sharing laughs along the way. By noon, we had helped harvest over a ton of fruit, which could eventually become around 60 cases of wine.

After our time in the vineyard, we gathered for a tasting before sitting down to a delicious lunch at No. 10, Willows Awake’s on-site restaurant. The day gave us not only a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to reach the bottling stage but also the chance to bond with one another in a fresh and meaningful way.

We left with sticky fingers, full glasses, and stronger connections—not just to each other, but to the land and craft we’re so passionate about.

✨ If you’re building a “wineries to visit” bucket list, Willows Awake deserves a top spot. Between the beautiful vineyards, welcoming team, and amazing food at No. 10, it’s an experience not to be missed.

Here’s a glimpse of the day:

Reflections from the Finger Lakes: A Week in Wine Country

August 1, 2025

Earlier this summer, I had the chance to spend time in the Finger Lakes—home to many of our customers and the heart of Hauser’s East Coast logistics. Our warehouse in Seneca Falls supports so much behind the scenes, from prepping inventory management to repacking our imported glass in plain or custom boxes. Being there in person was a powerful reminder of the manual labor, planning, and care that go into readying glass for bottling. It also gave me insight into how we can improve the process for next season—especially when it comes to streamlining logistics and saving time for our customers.

Beyond the warehouse, visiting Finger Lakes wineries gave me a deeper appreciation for the community and creativity that define this region. Each tasting room had its own charm—from the artwork at Lakewood (I now have two colorful maps hanging in my office!) to the cellar at Dr. Frank, which felt like a gallery of sparkling wine history. It was a packed week of visits, both with long-time customers and new wineries I hope to support in the future. One unexpected highlight was getting to jump into the lake—Julia at Hosmer sent me to the perfect local spot. And thanks to a scenic detour recommended by Kit at Bet the Farm, I even got to pass a waterfall! It was a fun reminder of how stunning this region really is.

Packaging was, of course, a big topic throughout the week. Producers here are clearly eager to differentiate. I saw everything from lightweight bottles and varieties of capacities, shapes and heights to thoughtful label designs like the ones from Osmote that pack serious personality. There’s also a growing focus on sustainability. Diam Corks came up often—especially the Origine line, which uses natural ingredients like beeswax and a castor-based binder. The buzz around Origine 3 shows how winemakers are seeking that balance between performance and eco-consciousness.

But through it all, the winemakers I met were passionate, thoughtful, and focused on delivering quality. One standout moment came at Ravines, where they opened wines over 20 years old from a recent event. They spoke highly of Diam closures, noting the confidence that comes from knowing those wines would still shine.

Every visit was a reminder that packaging is more than just a container—it’s a reflection of brand, values, and connection to place. The Finger Lakes wine community is resilient, collaborative, and full of heart. I left feeling inspired by the innovation happening here and proud that Hauser can be part of it—whether through supplying glass, corks, or simply showing up to listen.

If you’re not already watching this region, you should be. It’s not just about Riesling anymore—the Finger Lakes is producing bold reds, elegant sparklings, and stories worth sharing.

The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is also a great resource!

Written by -Samantha Dobra, Account Manager @ Hauser Packaging

Sam Explores Wine in Michigan

February 18, 2025

At Hauser, we value every opportunity to connect with our customers. These visits help us better understand their businesses—especially when it comes to the art and science of winemaking.

Last week, Samantha Dobra, Account Manager at Hauser, traveled to Michigan. She met with both current and prospective customers, strengthening relationships and expanding our presence in the region.

A Special Visit to Mawby

One of the highlights of Samantha’s trip was a visit to Mawby, a respected winery known for its sparkling wines. She met with two of their talented winemakers, who generously gave her a behind-the-scenes tour and shared valuable insights into their winemaking process.

Behind the Scenes: Sparkling Wine Production

Cages After Bottling

The tour began with a look at the cages where bottles rest under a crown and bidule. Some bottles stay here for up to three years, allowing flavors to develop depth and complexity.

Yeast Sedimentation

Next, Samantha observed the yeast sedimentation process. Yeast settles naturally at the bottom of the bottles, an important step in creating sparkling wine’s signature flavor and fizz.

Riddling Rack Process

To prepare for disgorgement, bottles are placed in riddling racks. Over about three days, this process moves the yeast to the crown for removal.

Dedication to Quality

We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to visit our partners, see their process up close, and support their commitment to quality. As Hauser continues to grow, we look forward to building even stronger connections and providing top-notch packaging solutions.

If you would like to speak with Samantha Dobra directly about her trip to Michigan or anything packaging related for your business, she can be reached at samantha@hauserpack.com

This is all cork. The shading is mostly from the bottom of the cork from red wine, the really dark parts create a sort of die from the wine. Mari Vineyards

Every Customer Interaction Matters

February 4, 2025

The Power of Relationships: Why Every Customer Interaction Matters

At Hauser Packaging, customers are at the heart of everything we do. Over the years, we’ve learned that strong relationships grow through respect, genuine attention, and a long-term commitment to partnership.

Respect Builds Long-Term Trust

Recently, a long-time partner at one of our valued accounts stepped away from their role. A new contact has taken over, and while we’re already building a great relationship with them, this shift reminded us of something important:

Never burn a bridge. Never make assumptions. Always show respect.

You never know who the next decision-maker will be. When you walk into a winery’s tasting room, assume the person who greets you might be the owner. Don’t overlook anyone in search of someone “more important.”

Whether you’re speaking with the winemaker, the assistant, the forklift operator, or the intern—treat everyone with equal respect. That intern could be running production someday or take their experience to another winery down the road.

Every Interaction Counts

People remember how they were treated. A kind word, a moment of patience, or a helpful gesture today could lead to opportunities tomorrow. That’s why, at Hauser, we approach every conversation with care.

No matter the size of the account, we value each customer equally. In this industry, mutual trust and human connection keep everything moving forward.

Let’s continue to build strong partnerships—one respectful interaction at a time.

Thank you for inviting us into your community!

Account manager samantha dobra presenting at the virginia wineries association annual conference in front of a group about sustainability — Virginia Wineries Association 2024 Conference

Connecting in the Field: Virginia Wineries Association 2024 Conference

While most of the year we’re working from HQ in Portland, Maine, we love the chance to visit your state, tour tasting rooms, and meet your team face-to-face.

In November, Samantha and Branden, two of our Account Managers, explored parts of the Virginia Wine Trail. During their visit, Samantha was honored to speak at the Virginia Wineries Association Conference, where she joined a panel to present on sustainable practices in packaging.

We’re incredibly grateful for opportunities like this. Meeting customers in person and participating in important industry events reminds us why we love what we do.

Blue Valley Vineyard and Winery Delaplane, VA

If you don’t know who your Account Manager is, email the team sales@hauserpack.com we will gladly direct you!

The world leader in technical cork closures

January 22, 2025

TCA (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole) contamination, commonly known as cork taint, has long been a concern for winemakers and wine lovers alike. But with the advent of TCA-free corks and closures, it’s now possible to say goodbye to the worries of cork taint. These innovative closures provide a consistent and reliable seal, ensuring that wine aging is controlled and oxygen management remains consistent. By eliminating the risks associated with TCA, winemakers can maintain the integrity and quality of their products, allowing their wines to mature perfectly and preserving the full flavor potential. Whether it’s for short-term freshness or long-term aging, TCA-free solutions are revolutionizing the wine industry. Contact us for more information about our Diam corks.