The Making of our Stemware

To get both the featherlight feel and durability we want from our glassware we must make it through a practice known as hand blowing by skilled artisan glassworkers. Each glass takes immense effort to perfect and produce. 

Scientific observation reveals a distinct surface structure difference between hand-blown glass and machine-shaped glass, a difference attributed to the wooden mold's influence. Furthermore, blind tastings consistently demonstrate the superior performance of these handcrafted thin wine glasses, likely due to enhanced palate contact. This reinforces our belief that the same attention to detail we demand from our wines – origin, process, and people – should be mirrored in our choice of glassware. 

There are several key elements of producing our hand-blown stemware:

Handcraftsmanship:

  • The process is fundamentally manual, relying on the expertise of master glassblowers. This means each glass is individually crafted, contributing to its unique character.   
  • These artisans undergo years of training to master the delicate manipulation of molten glass. 
  • We make our glasses in one of the longest operating glassworks in Europe, one of the only places in the world where these skills remain. 

Material and Heat:

  • High-quality, lead-free, natural and inert metal-strengthened crystal is used. This material allows for the creation of exceptionally thin and delicate walls while maintaining durability.
  • This composition also allows for that 'clink' that many hand-blown glass users often have to give up for the enjoyment of a lighter and thinner glass—not anymore!
  • The glass is heated to a precise temperature in a furnace, making it malleable for shaping.   

Blowing and Shaping:

  • The glassblower gathers molten glass onto the end of a blowpipe.
  • Using controlled breaths and precise rotations, they inflate the glass, shaping the bowl and stem.   
  • Handmade custom beech wood molds are used to help form the bowl, while much of the shaping, especially the stem and rim, is done freehand.

Thinness and Balance:

  • The hallmark of these glasses is their incredibly thin walls, which contribute to their lightness and enhance the sensory experience of wine.   
  • Achieving this thinness requires exceptional skill and control.
  • The balance of the glass is also very important, and is also achieved through the skill of the glass blower.

Cooling and Finishing:

  • After shaping, the glasses undergo a slow and controlled cooling process (annealing) to relieve internal stresses and prevent cracking.   
  • A final inspection ensures that each glass meets the highest standards of quality.