Greg Snell believes that anyone can become an expert winemaker. The California-based entrepreneur has invented a device called the WinePod that allows anyone with the time and storage space to create their own high quality red of white wine.
The device is a special steel cylinder measuring 1.2 metres in height. Mr Snell claims that it can be used to create over 48 bottles of red or white wine at a time using an exclusive software system and a service of everyday household grapes.
The machine’s special software guides home users through the process of making their own wine. After the grapes are added, the machine automatically presses the ingredients and ages the wine without any active user involvement.
A few months after adding their grapes, home users can enjoy a tasty wine that has been prepared entirely within their homes. The machine is the first of its kind, and Mr Snell believes that it could spark a home-based revolution in winemaking.
The Californian entrepreneur was forced to close his business for four years during the recent financial crisis, but has recently finished his product and believes that it could be a hit internationally.
With demand for high quality wines increasing amongst the middle and upper class Chinese market, Mr Snell believes that the device – which costs £2,800 – could be a success in the large country.
A native of Silicon Valley, Mr Snell has tapped into the region’s “other industry.” As much as it is famous for microchips and technology companies, Silicon Valley is also the home of the Santa Clara Valley – one of California’s finest wine growing regions.
Prior to the financial crisis, the San Jose entrepreneur had secured $3.5 million in venture capital funding for his business. Mr Snell believes that with the crisis in the rear-view mirror for most consumers, his innovative winemaking device now has a growing market to find success with.
