Enomatic vs. Coravin: Which Wine Preservation System is Right for You?

When it comes to wine preservation and dispensing, two names often come up: Enomatic and Coravin.

While both systems help preserve wine and reduce wastage, they serve very different purposes.

If you're wondering which option is best for your venue, whether it's a bar, restaurant, winery, or wine retail store, this comparison will help you understand the strengths of each system.

How does Coravin work?

Coravin was founded in 2011 and revolutionised low-volume wine preservation by allowing users to pour wine without removing the cork. By using a needle and inert gas technology, Coravin has become a favourite among wine collectors, sommeliers, and casual enthusiasts who want to enjoy a glass without committing to opening the entire bottle. The system is widely used in fine dining establishments, wine tastings, and personal collections where oxidation control is the prime objective.

Key Features of Coravin

• Uses proprietary argon gas canisters to protect wine from oxidation without removing the cork
• Each gas canister typically lasts for about 15 pours
• Gas costs ~US$1 per pour whether you're serving a small taste or a full glass
• Requires manual operation, making it best suited for trained professionals
• Designed primarily for cork-sealed bottles; screw caps require additional accessories
• An incredible product for home enthusiasts and sommeliers serving rare wines by the glass

Coravin is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, USA. While the company designs its products in the United States, specific details about their manufacturing locations are not publicly disclosed.

How do Enomatics work?

Enomatic was established in 2002 in Italy and is the global leader in automated wine dispensing and preservation systems. Designed for commercial use, Enomatic dispensers not only extend the life of opened bottles but also provide temperature control, portion control, and the potential for an interactive experience for customers.

Enomatic systems are widely used in restaurants, bars, wineries, and wine retail outlets to enhance customer engagement while optimising profitability. It is a professional-grade wine dispensing and preservation system designed for high-volume service environments. These automated dispensers not only preserve wine for up to four weeks but also control serving temperature and provide precise portion control.

Key Features of Enomatics

• Designed for efficiency in bars, restaurants, wineries, and retail spaces
• Both back bar and self-service models available, increasing customer engagement and sales
• Uses large-format, swappable argon gas cylinders to protect wine from oxidation for up to four weeks
• Third-party D-size cylinders (eg. from Supagas, approximately $150–$200) last the average venue six months or more, which is ~$25/month in gas costs
• Provides automated wine dispensing with precise portion control (eg. tasting, half-glass, and full-glass pours)
• Maintains optimal serving temperatures for red, white, and sparkling wines
• Features an attractive, interactive display to showcase wines
• Best suited for restaurants, bars, and wineries offering an extensive by-the-glass program, and bottle shops looking to enhance customer experience with tasting stations

Enomatic's wine dispensers are designed and manufactured in Italy – specifically in the heart of Tuscany, just outside of Florence. We have personally visited their factory and met the team.

The Real Cost of Running Each System

One of the most overlooked differences between Coravin and Enomatic is the ongoing cost of gas – and the numbers are striking.

Coravin charges ~US$1 per pour in gas costs, regardless of whether you're serving a taste or a full glass. For occasional personal use this is manageable, but for a busy venue serving hundreds of glasses per week, the costs accumulate rapidly.

Enomatic uses large-format gas cylinders readily available from suppliers like Supagas or BOC for approximately $150. The average venue uses one cylinder over six months or more, working out to around $25-29 per month.

Monthly gas costs by pour volume

At 1,000 pours per month – a realistic figure for a busy restaurant or wine bar – an Enomatic system saves nearly $12,000 per year in gas alone compared to Coravin. And the more you pour, the wider that gap grows.

Gas cost per pour at volume

Because Enomatic's gas cost is essentially fixed, the effective cost per pour decreases sharply as volume increases:

Breaking even on Enomatic's Unica Start 8

Our most popular system, the Enomatic Unica Start 8, is priced at $18,500. For venues currently using or considering Coravin, the gas savings alone can pay back the investment surprisingly quickly:

For a venue doing 30+ pours per day, the Enomatic Unica Start 8 can pay for itself on gas savings alone in under two years – before factoring in reduced wine waste, labour efficiency, or the upsell revenue that comes from an expanded by-the-glass program.

Which System Should You Choose?

Choosing between Coravin and Enomatic depends on your needs:

• If you need a high-volume wine dispensing solution that also offers preservation, temperature control, and pour accuracy, Enomatic is the best choice for hospitality businesses.
• If you are a wine enthusiast or sommelier looking to serve rare wines occasionally without oxidation, both systems can work for you.
• If you run a wine retail store or tasting venue, an Enomatic system can enhance customer experience by allowing structured self-serve tastings while keeping wine in perfect condition.

The Bottom Line

While Coravin is a fantastic innovation for wine preservation in select situations, it is not designed for bulk hospitality service. Enomatic, on the other hand, is purpose-built for high-turnover venues where wine needs to be stored, displayed, and served efficiently.

The economics reinforce this distinction. Coravin's gas costs ~US$1 per pour – every pour, every time. Enomatic's gas costs around $29 per month. For any venue serving more than 30 glasses of wine per day, that difference alone can justify the investment.

If your goal is to minimise wastage, ensure perfect serving conditions, and boost revenue from wine sales, an enomatic system is the right choice.

Interested in learning more about how an Enomatic can transform your wine service? Explore the best wine dispensing solutions for your business here.