New UK brand launches range of vegan and fair trade canned wines

A new canned wine brand, HUN, is launching in the midst of the UK’s lockdown, where the question ‘U Ok Hun?’ has perhaps never been more apt. However, despite the brand’s millennial name and advertising plans, its producers have the credentials and intentions to become industry leaders, despite current barriers to entry.

Launching this May, HUN will be available in 481 Tesco stores with three premium canned wine products that include a pale Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and a low calorie sparkling Rosé with just 69 calories per can. With a tag line of ‘Great Wine in a Can’, HUN is the brainchild of millennial wine enthusiast, Mark Woollard, who enjoyed the convenience and environmental benefits of cans, but couldn’t find the same range of quality and taste associated with bottled wines.

To ensure that HUN’s taste lives up to expectations of wine-loving millennials, the brand is sourcing its wines from vineyards in the renowned Stellenbosch region of South Africa, which are then canned in the UK. Proceeds from every case go towards supporting South African Fairtrade projects.

With an emphasis on global responsibility and inclusivity, HUN will be the only canned wine on the market that is both vegan and fair trade, whilst the cans offer an infinitely recyclable packaging solution for environmentally conscious consumers.

Designed to be enjoyed ‘on the go’ and at alfresco gatherings, HUN’s portable wine is launching at a time of strict social distancing rules. However, that hasn’t deterred the ambitious challenger brand from sticking to its planned launch dates. As a ‘customer-obsessed company’, its aim is to provide positivity to millennial wine fans with a tongue-in-cheek out-of-home advertising campaign at a time when everyone is self-isolating at home.

Created by global advertising agency TBWA, HUN’s outdoor adverts will feature across London and include lines such as: “Look everybody! We’ve just launched a new wine. Anybody? Anybody? Anybody?” and “You’ve taken up running? Must be bad. Still, try running an advertising campaign that only you’re going to see”. The out-of-home activity will be supported by a digital campaign that rewards free wine to those who have also had key events – such as birthdays, weddings and anniversaries – disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

HUN has a group of drinks industry leaders on its board of directors, that includes: former Brewdog CEO and Red Bull UK MD, Andy Shaw; Waitrose executive director and former Sainsbury’s grocery buying director, James Bailey; Owain Walbyoff, former MD, EndemolShine Global Licensing Division, and CMO Red Bull Racing F1, Dominik Mitsch. It has also received financial investment from the former Formula 1 driver-turned-presenter David Coulthard.

Mark Woollard, co-founder of HUN, said: “We never expected to be launching in the midst of a global pandemic and while many might think it’s crazy to launch a new business in the current climate, our brand aims to build a community based around supporting and entertaining, so what better time to put these values into practise?

“With HUN we wanted to create a brand that celebrates everything that is great about the millennial values. From embracing diversity, engaging with climate change and championing self-expression and community, HUN is designed with the conscious consumer in mind.

“It’s strange to say it, but we hope as few people as possible see the outdoor campaign and that everyone continues to observe the vital self-distancing rules and what better way to self-isolate than with your own can of wine for one.”

HUN investor and Former Formula 1 driver, David Coulthard, said: “The canned wine market is growing exponentially and we are excited to take the category to an exciting new place with the launch of HUN. Not only is it the UK’s first vegan and Fairtrade canned wine, it also tastes great.”

“There is still a lot of snobbery around wine in a can and with HUN we hope to shake up the industry and prove that canned wine can be just as good – if not better – than bottled wine”.

The HUNWines Collection includes:

HUNWines SA Pale Rosé 2019 12.5% ABV (250ml). RRP: £3

Premium provence style Rose from the heart of South Africa, a pale orange-tinted pink colour with an ‘assertive’, complex and dry flavour palate, grapefruit and strawberries and a touch of acidity to finish.

HUNWines SA Sparkling Rose 2019 5.5% ABV (200ml). RRP: £2.50

A ‘guilt-free’ sparkling rosé with just 69 calories and 5.5% alcohol. Fresh red grape aromas with red orchard fruit flavours. HUN calls this a delicious ‘frizzante’ in style Moscato Rosé.

HUNWines SA Sauvignon Blanc 2019 12.5% ABV (250ml). RRP: £3

A vibrant, crisp and fresh Sauvignon Blanc NZ style, which presents a green tint in colour. Green pepper and grassy aromas support a balanced palate, with a crisp acidity to finish.

HUN is available to pre-order now from HUN’s online shop and will be available nationwide from 25 May in Tesco stores and online.

For more information, visit: https://hunwines.com/ or follow @drinkhunofficial.

Related content

Leave a reply

CanTech International