Identiv introduces a new NFC-based anti-counterfeiting smart packaging solution for luxury wine producers and collectors in collaboration with ZATAP and Genuine-Analytics.
With global wine fraud estimated to impact as much as 20% of bottles in circulation, the partnership between Identiv, ZATAP, and Genuine-Analytics AG is setting a new standard in wine authentication using wireless IoT, digital certificates, and Blockchain to verify not just the bottle, but the wine inside. This next-generation solution combines secure NFC technology, non-invasive content testing, and Blockchain-based digital identity, enabling near-instant verification of a wine’s authenticity and protecting a brand’s value, reputation, and consumer trust.
At a Swiss wine auction in 2024, the partnership’s solution successfully authenticated a series of rare, high-value vintages, with some bottles priced at over 20,000 Swiss Francs. It even detected a counterfeit bottle, reinforcing the platform’s potential for broader adoption.
“This is the future of wine authentication,” said Klaus Simonmeyer, Vice President at Identiv. “With our NFC inlays designed specifically for the unique properties of wine bottles, Genuine-Analytics’ groundbreaking analysis of wine contents, and ZATAP’s digital twin technology, we’re able to confirm not only that a wine bottle is authentic, but so is the wine inside.”
A proven solution
Each company brings its specific expertise to the solution. This collaboration establishes an immutable digital link between a physical bottle of wine, its contents, and its authenticated, digital twin hosted on an IoT-based blockchain. The integrated solution includes:
- Identiv’s secure NFC inlays, powered by NTAG 424 DNA TagTamper security-certified chips from trusted IC provider NXP Semiconductors, are built to detect tampering and link each bottle to its digital identity
- Genuine-Analytics’ scientific content analysis, validated against its proprietary winePROOF database
- ZATAP’s mobile interface communicates with Blockchain infrastructure, providing real-time authentication and provenance data to buyers and sellers
To authenticate a wine bottle’s contents, Genuine-Analytics uses a microscopic laser-drilled hole to test the wine inside the bottle against its proprietary winePROOF database. Once verified, a GA Safety Tag custom-designed by Identiv is applied to reseal the bottle and provide digital proof of authenticity. By securing both the contents and the container, the system creates a new standard for digital trust – one that benefits not only collectors and auction houses, but also wine producers seeking to protect their brand and customers.
“This partnership’s goal is to make wine authentication seamless and reliable for everyone,” said Dr. Markus Ehrat, CEO of Genuine-Analytics. “Together, we’re delivering a complete authentication solution that’s scalable and secure, helping the wine industry stay ahead of counterfeiting risks.”
David Geisser, CEO of ZATAP, added: “When this solution is applied at the producer level, it can scale to include any wine, from luxury wines to more everyday vintages.”
Leaders from Identiv, Genuine-Analytics AG, and ZATAP will co-host a webinar, ‘The Future of Wine Authentication’, on May 28th, 2025, at 9:00am PDT/6 PM CET. The webinar will include a live demo of the wine authentication application.
