Why Francis Ford Coppola invested in can filling technology

“I make more money with wine than with movies. And to think, I didn’t drink when I was young.”

At 80, Francis Ford Coppola still knows how to surprise the market. After the global success of The Godfather, he invested most of his earnings into Napa Valley’s Rubicon Estate, transforming it into what is now the Francis Ford Coppola Winery — a destination where cinema history meets premium winemaking.

For over 35 years, the winery focused on producing classic wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while restoring historic grape varieties. But today, Coppola is once again ahead of the curve — this time in wine packaging innovation.

From bottles to cans: the rise of canned wine

Coppola’s Diamond Collection wines are now available in 250 ml aluminum cans, sold in four-packs at $24. And this isn’t limited to sparkling or white wines: even structured reds like Pinot Noir are now successfully canned.

While traditionalists may see canned wine as controversial — much like screw caps or bag-in-box once were — the market tells a different story.

At ProWein Düsseldorf, where Coppola introduced the canned range, the stand remained constantly crowded. Not only with fans, but with distributors and industry professionals eager to explore the format.

In fact, 2019 was defined as “The Year of the Can” at ProWein — and the trend has only accelerated since then.

Canned wine market growth

According to BW 166 LLC, US retail wine sales remained stable at $3.3 billion between June 2017 and June 2018. However:

• Canned wine sales increased by 43%
• The format is growing faster than any other alternative wine packaging solution
• Millennials and Gen Z consumers are driving demand for convenient, portable, and sustainable packaging

For wineries targeting younger generations, ignoring canned wine is no longer an option — it is a strategic risk.

Premium wine in a can: quality meets convenience

“We were among the first to use this format,” explain sommeliers at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. “It’s a way to make premium wine more convenient without compromising quality.”

Corey Beck, Chief Winemaker of the Coppola family, confirms the winery’s commitment:

“We are so excited about wines in a can that we are expanding the collection.”

The lineup includes:

• Pinot Grigio (13% ABV) – fresh and fruity
• Chardonnay – elegant and balanced
• Pinot Noir – delicate and refined
• Sofia White Blend (187 ml)
• Brut Rosé from Pinot Noir

These wines may not appear in a scene from The Godfather, but they represent the future of premium wine consumption.

And behind this transformation stands advanced can filling technology.

CFT technology at Francis Ford Coppola Winery

To support the growth of its canned wine production, Francis Ford Coppola Winery chose CFT as technology partner, installing:

• Master C Block automatic filling and seaming monoblock
• Warmer Tunnel
• Depalletizer

Master C Block: high-precision can filling for wine

The installed configuration features:

• 24 filling valves
• Production speed up to 15,000 cans per hour
• Advanced flow meter technology
• High filling point accuracy
• Seamless integration into existing winery production processes

Designed specifically for sensitive beverages such as wine, the Master C Block ensures product integrity, filling precision and operational efficiency.

For premium wineries entering the canned wine segment, selecting the right can filling line is critical to guarantee:

• Oxygen control
• Consistent fill levels
• Product stability
• High-speed performance
• Compact layout

CFT provides complete canning solutions tailored to wine producers transitioning from bottling to aluminum packaging.

The future of wine packaging

Canned wine is no longer a niche product. It is a strategic growth segment combining:

• Sustainability (recyclable aluminum packaging)
• Portability
• Single-serve convenience
• Premium positioning
• Efficient logistics

As global consumption habits evolve, wineries investing in advanced wine canning lines and filling systems are positioning themselves for long-term growth.

Francis Ford Coppola did it first. Others are following.

And CFT is proud to support this evolution with state-of-the-art can filling technology for wine and beverages.