ESSENCA Stemware - reshaping how the world engages with wine • 8 August 2025
My collaboration with the renowned Eisch family began in 2015, sparking a transformation in stemware. In 2016, I took a range of ‘SensisPlus’ glassware around France - a collection of wine glasses with the ‘SensisPlus’ affect, crafted to celebrate a wine’s aromatic and flavour nuances. After a month in France visiting some 25 wineries, tasting over 300 wines and recording responses and feedback from winemakers, family and friends. What followed was the ‘UNITY’ mouthblown glass series launched in 2017: a range defined by grandeur, elegance and precision, earning the highest acclaim throughout the glass and wine industry.
But through four decades of experience in vineyards, wineries, retail, restaurants and around countless culturally diverse dinner tables shared with me across the globe, I developed a rich understanding, and from this a recognition and vision arose. This insight led to ESSENCA Stemware launched in August 2022 - a trio of stems designed to reveal the essence of Light • Medium • Bold wines.
In 2023, all three ESSENCA shapes were awarded the number one ‘Test Winner’ by the ‘Association of Independent Wine Experts’ - an unprecedented first for a complete series. Recognition that positions ESSENCA Stemware as, arguably ‘the most significant contribution to the enjoyment of wine in 50 years’.
This isn’t branding - it’s the convergence of 300 years of craftsmanship, tradition, science and a deep understanding of a wines structure, character and most importantly purpose for being. The fine machine-blown crystal of ESSENCA ‘SensisPlus’ elevates the sensory experience while creating a connection through precision and integrity. ESSENCA Stemware has reshaped how the world engages with wine.
The creative process was drawn from seeing the intersection between a wines purpose, the reason ‘why’ we have wine, how to best express and allow you full enjoyment of each expression and occasion, along with the highest craftsmanship, having it look nice on the table was a bonus not the focus. In trying to perfect the glass, the world lost sight of the wine. Many wine glasses are driven by artistic design, appearing as sculptural glass art on the table. Others aim to be precise tools, crafted for a singular purpose: to serve one distinct shape of wine. And if another wine does not share that exact shape, it simply won’t fit - so it will neither look, smell nor taste as it should nor at its best.
ESSENCA stemware was crafted to allow all Light • Medium • Bold wines to express their true self, their reason for being, with their own voice and volume. Regardless of the grape or colour of the wine, every Light • Medium • Bold wine from around the globe, from any aged vine, from any climate can be enjoyed to their full potential in ESSENCA Stemware. I have said many times, the stemware with clear bowls intended for wine that were introduced in early 1970's, took wine glasses from what I describe as the evolution of ‘Radio to Television’. The smooth clear glass gave us a window into wine, allowing us to see its beauty. ESSENCA with ‘SensisPlus’ allows you to connect with wine - reshaping how the world engages with wine, ultimately elevating wine enjoyment to a level winemakers and wine enthusiasts alike didn’t know they were missing.
I was in Germany testing the 3 stems before the official launch of ESSENCA in August 2022. Then in 2023 after the accolade ‘Winning Series’ by the ‘Association of Independent Wine Experts’. I took the ESSENCA Series through Italy, introducing the 3 shapes to the country’s top wine journalists, winemakers, industry professionals and enthusiasts, hosting what has become known as the ESSENCA Experience, an insightful and entertaining journey of discovery.
A quote from Julia & Eberhard Eisch : “Unique things are created when different people live a shared dream with total enthusiasm. ESSENCA ‘SensisPlus’ is the fantastic result of cross-generational enthusiasm for glass in the Eisch family and Gavin Hubble’s unrivalled expertise and love of wine”.
Here in New Zealand, I have been hosting ESENCA Experiences across the country with winemakers, industry professionals and wine enthusiasts alike. And the surprised shock and excitement from the first sip is incredible. Also, just as you read this article - there are simply not enough words in the English language to articulate, for you to believe the significant difference ESSENCA Stemware has on wine. You simply cannot believe the difference until you taste wine from ESSENCA stemware, and even then, the difference is so great, most people after the first sip are lost for words for some time and have a look of bewilderment, trying to process how much enjoyment they have been missing. The difference is not slight or small - and you don’t need to have any wine experience to smell, taste and enjoy the difference. Also 100% of people who attend an ESSENCA Experience never consider a glass or wine the same way again.
This summer in June 2025, I had the honour of being photographed with the UNITY and ESSENCA series. As they were added to the Glass Museum Gallery in Frauenau - Bavaria, Germany. A deeply meaningful moment with these two ranges added to the living history of glass and being recognised as a significant influence and contribution to the history of glass and the acclaim given to both by the industry. For myself I could not have dreamed of this journey and success, it was all about helping to shape how people connect with wine, enjoying all your senses.
ESSENCA Stemware is available in New Zealand, available to wine professionals and enthusiasts alike, it signals a shift in how everyone engages with wine. My next shipment is arriving this September, with the opportunity to discover ESSENCA to follow - look out for ESSENCA Experiences near you.
*(Also available at selected retailers in Germany across Europe & on the Eisch Website)
