In an insightful feature for 67 Pall Mall, Greg Lambrecht, inventor of our Coravin wine-by-the-glass system, shares how his engineering expertise and love of wine inspired what is now considered a global innovation for how people enjoy wine.
Originally a developer of medical devices such as an implantable chemotherapy infusion system and developing hip and knee prosthetics, Greg’s work with needles gave him a unique perspective:
“I got really good at making needles that didn’t do damage… I remember being in the kitchen, holding a bottle of wine, and really wanting just a glass. My then-wife was pregnant, and I thought, ‘There’s got to be a way I can use a needle to get wine out without removing the cork.’”
After 13 years of refinement, Coravin has become an essential tool for wine lovers and hospitality venues, allowing wines to be poured any moment, without waste or spoilage. Today, it supports wine programs like 67 Pall Mall, offering an incredible 1,000 wines by the glass.
Reflecting on the journey, Greg acknowledges:
“It took us way too long to say, ‘Coravin is the perfect wine-by-the-glass system."
From Burgundy producers thanking him for preserving rare bottles to sommeliers embracing Coravin Sparkling for Champagne, Greg continues to shape wine culture globally.
"For most people, that fear of exploration comes from not being able to try before you buy. We say “Here’s this bottle of wine; trust me, it’s great. It’s not quite great now, but it will be in five years.” You wouldn’t tell someone to keep a pair of shoes in the box and not wear them for five years.’"
Discover the full story and Greg’s reflections on his journey in the original 67 Pall Mall article here.