Like the old days, our vessels use only wind energy. However they are equipped with modern navigation technologies and is made of aluminum for a better weight/performance ratio and greater durability. They also boast of two sails for a bigger wind surface area, for better maneuverability and for greater safety.
Hull insulation and climate control
The hull is covered with high grade non-inflammable spray foam insulation and equipped with temperature and humidity control features, thus creating a very large floating wine cellar.
Renewable energy onboard
Mini wind turbines, solar panels, and hydrogenators power all electronics on-board, including HVAC equipment.
International shippings standards
The cargo sailboat has undergone significant computer model testing to meet international merchant shipping regulation, which has been certified by an independent auditor, Bureau Veritas.
Our floating cellar
Properly preserving the bottles in ideal conditions throughout the voyage was one of our top priorities during the design of the cargo sailboat. It was certainly one of the most important challenges we had to face. Today, we can guarantee that once they arrive in New York City, after a short period of resting, the wines taste as good as before their departure. Here are some features of the cargo sailboat:
Taste-resiliency test
All our wines are put through a ‘taste-resiliency’ test, which involves placing bottles in cargo sailboats for at least three weeks at sea and tasting them at various intervals after they return (generally upon returning to the harbor, then 1 week later and then another 2 weeks thereafter).
Our sailors
A highly trained merchant marine captain from Bretagne steers the vessel, assisted by one lieutenant responsible of all sail-related matters, an amazingly skilled seaman; and an outstanding fisherman who also happens to be a professional photographer.
