NAPA, Calif., Dec. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Penfolds is pleased to announce Vigilant Labels as the grand prize winner of the Penfolds Max's "Maximum Funding" startup competition. In celebration of Penfolds' first chief winemaker, Max Schubert, who pioneered the Australian wine industry, Penfolds hosted a contest for promising entrepreneurs to compete for $33,000 in capital investment to support the future success of their innovative idea. Each $1,000 represents Schubert's 33 years at the onset of his post at Penfolds.

With over 100 submissions, the grand prize winner was determined through extensive judging by an esteemed panel from an array of respected technology and business firms as well as through a public voting window. The grand prize winner of the competition, Vigilant Labels, is a startup that seeks to solve the critical workflow challenges faced by anesthesiologists, pharmacists and nurses throughout the care process. The company improves anesthesia syringe labeling by utilizing technology and integrations to electronic medical record software systems. Vigilant Labels solves these complex challenges and the resulting benefits enhance patient safety, increase compliance and reduce costs for the healthcare provider.

Unbound and TWIP round out the top three finalists and will each be awarded $5,000 to be used towards the business's future endeavors.  Unbound is a sexual wellness company for women, working to destigmatize female sexuality by providing a sophisticated shopping experience, design-centric products, and robust content to educate all consumers. TWIP is an online, membership-based social marketplace that connects people to experiences and travel companions based on their "Travanality," the proprietary behavior assessment that they created to help people understand why they travel.

"Penfolds is thrilled for our winners and the amazing work they are doing in their respective industries," said Emma Brown, Penfolds Marketing Director. "Our three finalists honor the hard work and dedication of Max Schubert, who forever altered the course of the modern day Australian wine industry. Max Schubert wasn't just part of Australia's wine revolution – he led it, and we're confident our entrepreneurial winners will do the same in their business endeavors."

Penfolds Max's is thankful for the support of innovation-focused companies and higher education institutions that helped bring the "Maximum Funding" competition to fruition. In addition to its primary partner Tech.Co, Penfolds Max's established in-kind partnerships with the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Dallas, Poets & Quants and Bluestein + Associates. 

The Penfolds Max's Maximum Funding Competition kicked off the release of the Penfolds Max's line of wines in the US. The Penfolds 2015 Max's Cabernet Sauvignon ($25), and Penfolds 2015 Max's Shiraz-Cabernet ($25) are classically crafted using the practices which Schubert perfected – namely, multi-regional and multi-varietal blending. These eminently approachable wines are a fitting tribute to his vision, courage and relentless pursuit of excellence.

About Penfolds 
Since 1844, Penfolds has played a pivotal role in the evolution of winemaking with a history and heritage that profoundly reflects Australia's journey from colonial settlement to the modern era. Penfolds' collection of benchmark wines was established in a spirit of innovation and the constant and endless pursuit of quality, evidenced by the secret bottling of Grange in 1951 and the unbroken line of vintages of what is now Australia's most iconic wine. Today, the collection continues to display the distinctive and consistently recognizable Penfolds 'House Style,' the ultimate expression of a time-honored tradition of sourcing the best fruit from the best regions. The stories and philosophies behind each label bring a timeless quality, making Penfolds wines special and compelling for collectors and drinkers the world over. Penfolds is owned by Treasury Wine Estates. For more information, please visit penfolds.com.   

About Penfolds Max's 
Penfolds Max's is a new line of Australian wines that serve as an ode to a legendary winemaking figure, Max Schubert. The first chief winemaker of Penfolds, Schubert took the reins at just 33 years of age and was instrumental in revolutionizing Australian winemaking through his bold and passionate spirit. Best known as the creator of Grange Hermitage (or Penfolds Grange) – widely considered one of Australia's "first growth" and most collectable wines – Schubert propelled Penfolds onto the global stage. The Penfolds Max's collection features wines that are polished and charming in character, expressing varietal cues, alluring fruit and tannic structure. The portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and a red blend of Shiraz-Cabernet. For more information, please visit penfolds.com/our-wines/maxs  

Media Contact:
Beth Swierk
Finn Partners for Penfolds
[email protected] 
415-348-2734

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