— Product Basics —
How long does SIGNATUS preserve an opened bottle?
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In vacuum mode, still wines retain their full aromatic profile for up to ten days. In nitrogen mode, the same wines retain their character for ninety days or longer — confirmed in blind tasting panels. Sparkling wines retain effervescence for up to five days under the Champagne Sealer.
What is the difference between SGN·01 and SGN·01·N?
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The SGN·01 is the pure-vacuum model: up to ten days of preservation. The SGN·01·N adds an integrated nitrogen module that floods the headspace with food-grade N₂ after the vacuum cycle, extending preservation to ninety days or more. The bodies are externally identical; only the internal architecture differs.
Are the Wine Sealer and Champagne Sealer interchangeable?
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No. The Wine Sealer creates negative pressure (and optionally nitrogen displacement), appropriate for still wines. The Champagne Sealer holds positive pressure, essential for retaining bubbles. Each is designed for its own purpose. We recommend both.
Will it fit older or unusually shaped bottles?
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SIGNATUS is calibrated for the four dominant bottle-neck profiles — Bordelaise, Bourguignonne, Champenoise, and Hochbouteille — covering approximately 98% of bottles in production. We provide a 30-day return window for incompatible fits.
Does SIGNATUS work on bottles with screw caps?
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Yes. Once the screw cap is removed, SIGNATUS seals the bottle using its own mechanism — independent of the original closure type. This includes Stelvin closures common in Austrian, German, and New World wines.
Can I use SIGNATUS on partial bottles, or only full ones?
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SIGNATUS works on bottles with any fill level. The headspace volume does not affect the seal — only the air composition above the wine. Even bottles with just a single glass remaining will preserve effectively.
— Nitrogen Technology —
Is the nitrogen safe? Will it affect the taste?
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Entirely safe and entirely tasteless. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air you are breathing right now — biologically inert, chemically stable, and approved under EU regulation 1333/2008 as food additive E941. It does not dissolve into the wine and does not interact with any aromatic compound.
How long does one nitrogen capsule last?
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Each food-grade N₂ capsule contains enough nitrogen for approximately thirty bottle preservations. The capsule is housed within the SIGNATUS body and is replaced in under ten seconds — no tools required.
Where can I buy replacement N₂ capsules?
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Replacement capsules ship in recyclable packs of six directly from our atelier and through partnered Austrian Vinotheken and select wine merchants across Europe. Subscription delivery is available for regular users.
Why nitrogen and not argon?
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Argon is heavier and slightly more effective in laboratory conditions, but its supply chain is unreliable and its cost prohibitive for consumer use. Nitrogen is equally inert for wine preservation purposes, vastly cheaper to source, and used by every serious commercial winery to protect tanks during ageing.
Can I use SIGNATUS without nitrogen capsules?
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Yes. The SGN·01·N operates fully in vacuum-only mode without a capsule installed — preserving wine for up to ten days. The nitrogen module activates only when a capsule is loaded and you select N₂ mode on the dial.
Does the nitrogen leak out over time?
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A trace amount of diffusion occurs through any sealing system over weeks. SIGNATUS minimises this through its hermetic silicone membrane, but for preservation beyond ninety days we recommend a refresh cycle: briefly release the seal and re-apply the N₂ pulse.
Is the nitrogen module pressurised? Is it safe to handle?
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The capsule contains nitrogen at safe consumer-grade pressure, identical to those used in commercial whipped cream chargers. It cannot explode under normal conditions. It should not be exposed to temperatures above 50°C or punctured outside the SIGNATUS body.
— Engineering & Materials —
What is SIGNATUS made of?
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Aerospace-grade 6061-T6 anodised aluminium body, stainless steel 316L pressure-bearing internals, medical-grade silicone sealing membrane, brass micro-valves, and a sapphire viewport for the seal indicator. No plastics in the critical path.
Does the vacuum or nitrogen affect the wine itself?
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No. The vacuum operates above the liquid, removing only the headspace oxygen that drives oxidation. The nitrogen, similarly, occupies only the space between the wine surface and the seal. The wine itself is never subjected to negative pressure or contacts the membrane.
Are there batteries or electronics inside?
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None. SIGNATUS is purely mechanical. No batteries to replace, no firmware to update, no electronics to fail. The object you receive today will work identically in 2046.
How heavy is each piece?
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The Wine Sealer (SGN·01·N) weighs 142 grams. The Champagne Sealer (SGN·02) weighs 98 grams. Both are calibrated for substantial hand-feel without strain on the bottle neck.
What does the visual seal indicator show?
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A small sapphire viewport on the upper ring displays a lock pictogram when fully engaged and an unlock pictogram when not. There is no ambiguity — engagement is binary and visible at a glance.
How much pressure does the Champagne Sealer hold?
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SGN·02 is rated to 6 bar of internal bottle pressure, with a tested safety margin to 8 bar — exceeding the structural integrity of standard champagne bottles by 33%.
Why a tri-axial claw instead of a simpler stopper?
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A simple compression stopper relies on friction alone, which degrades under sustained pressure. The tri-axial claw mechanically interlocks beneath the bottle's glass lip, distributing 360° of uniform tension. The seal does not creep, does not flex, and does not require monitoring.
— Use & Care —
How is SIGNATUS cleaned and maintained?
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The silicone membrane is removable and dishwasher-safe. The aluminium body should be wiped with a soft cloth — never submerged. The mechanical interior contains no consumable parts beyond the nitrogen capsule and requires no service.
Can SIGNATUS go in the dishwasher?
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The silicone membrane and exterior cap are dishwasher-safe (top rack only). The main body, containing the mechanical pump and N₂ module, must never be submerged or placed in the dishwasher. A damp cloth is sufficient.
Can I store SIGNATUS in the refrigerator with the bottle?
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Absolutely. SIGNATUS is rated from −20°C to +50°C. Cold storage actually improves preservation by reducing molecular activity in the wine — refrigeration is recommended for bottles preserved beyond two weeks.
What if I forget to release the vacuum before re-opening?
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No harm done. Twist the dial counter-clockwise; the vacuum releases through the relief valve with a soft hiss before the seal disengages. The wine is unaffected.
Should the bottle be stored upright or on its side?
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Upright. SIGNATUS is designed to seal the headspace at the top of the bottle. Storing on its side allows wine to contact the membrane, which — while harmless — is unnecessary and may cause aesthetic staining over time.
How do I know when to replace the silicone membrane?
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The membrane is rated for approximately 2,000 seal cycles. If the seal indicator no longer engages cleanly, or you notice a decline in vacuum retention, the membrane should be replaced. Replacements are stocked at our atelier.
— Wine & Pairing —
Does SIGNATUS work better on certain wine types?
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SIGNATUS preserves all still wines equally well. However, certain styles benefit more visibly: tannic young reds (Cabernet, Nebbiolo), oxidatively-vulnerable whites (Chardonnay, Riesling), and orange wines all show dramatic improvement compared to a half-finished bottle stored conventionally.
Does it work on fortified wines like Port or Sherry?
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Yes — and exceptionally well. Most fortified wines are already partially oxidative by design, but SIGNATUS extends their freshness considerably. Vintage Port, in particular, benefits from N₂ preservation across multiple weeks.
Can I use it for spirits or non-wine beverages?
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SIGNATUS is calibrated for wine bottle profiles. While it can technically seal any bottle of compatible neck geometry, we make no preservation claims for spirits, beer, or other liquids — their preservation chemistry differs significantly.
Will preserved wine taste the same as the night I opened it?
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In nitrogen mode, blind panels at 90 days have been unable to distinguish preserved wines from a freshly-opened reference bottle. In vacuum mode, very subtle changes may occur after seven to ten days, generally imperceptible in everyday tasting.
Can I open and reseal the same bottle multiple times?
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Yes — that is the entire purpose. A single bottle can be opened, poured, and resealed dozens of times without degradation, provided the seal is properly engaged each time. This is particularly useful for restaurants offering wines by the glass.
— Ordering & Delivery —
What does the founding edition include?
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Each SIGNATUS arrives in a hand-assembled walnut presentation case with a numbered certificate of authenticity, two N₂ capsules, a microfibre cleaning cloth, and a printed monograph documenting the development process from Vienna to Steyr. Limited to 1,200 pieces per model.
We ship internationally to most countries. The European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and selected non-EU markets are served directly from our Lower Austria fulfilment. Some restrictions apply to nitrogen capsules in air freight — these may ship separately.
How long does delivery take?
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Within Austria: 2–3 working days. EU: 4–7 working days. International: 7–14 working days. All shipments are insured and tracked. Founding edition pieces may have extended fulfilment as each is finished by hand.
What is your return policy?
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30 days, no questions asked. If SIGNATUS does not perform as described — for any reason — return it to our atelier for a full refund. Used N₂ capsules are non-returnable for safety reasons.
Lifetime mechanical warranty against manufacturing defects. The silicone membrane is treated as a wear part and is excluded after the first 24 months. Capsules are consumable and not warranted.
Do you offer engraving or personalisation?
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Yes. Founding edition pieces may be engraved with up to 30 characters on the underside of the body. Engraving adds 5–7 working days to fulfilment and is non-refundable. Available in serif or sans-serif type.
— Trade & Business —
Do you offer trade pricing for restaurants and sommeliers?
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Yes. Restaurants, hotels, sommelier programs, and licensed wine retailers may apply for trade accounts with volume pricing and dedicated support. Please contact our atelier directly via the form below for terms.
Is SIGNATUS available wholesale?
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Selective wholesale partnerships are available for established wine specialists, design retailers, and luxury concept stores. We do not pursue mass-market distribution. Please introduce yourself through the contact form below.
Are corporate or wedding gift orders possible?
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Yes. We accept bespoke gifting orders from twelve pieces upward, including custom engraving, monogrammed presentation cases, and accompanying notes. Lead time is 4–6 weeks depending on quantity.
— About SIGNATUS —
Designed in Vienna, machined in Steyr, assembled by hand in Lower Austria. Every piece is finished, inspected, and packed in our atelier. Made in Austria — without compromise.
Why is SIGNATUS more expensive than other wine sealers?
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Most preservation tools are stamped plastic with a rubber gasket, designed to last months. SIGNATUS is machined from aerospace-grade alloy, hand-assembled, and engineered to last decades. The price reflects the materials, the labour, and the longevity — not the marketing.
Is SIGNATUS a sustainable product?
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Designed for permanence rather than replacement. The body, internals, and case are all recyclable through standard Austrian metal and wood streams. The silicone membrane and N₂ capsules are the only consumables — both replaceable rather than the entire object.
SIGNATUS was founded in 2023 by a small team of designers, engineers, and a Wachau sommelier — united by frustration that no preservation tool on the market matched the quality of the wines it was meant to protect. Our atelier remains independent and family-held.
I have a question that isn't answered here.
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Please write to us directly through the contact form below, or by email to our atelier. We answer every message personally — usually within two working days.