New Tastant Study Highlights Why Whole-Fruit Chardonnay Marc, WellVine™, May Improve Formulation Tradeoffs in Functional Products

Peer-reviewed research identifies balanced taste profile, low bitterness, and smoother mouthfeel as key advantages for modern food and beverage development.

SONOMA, Calif., June 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A newly published peer-reviewed sensory study highlights the unique sensory advantages of whole food ingredients.

The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c15103), examined the taste chemistry of behind Sonomaceuticals WellVine™ , to better understand the compounds responsible for superior taste, mouthfeel, and overall formulation behavior.

WellVine is a whole-fruit prebiotic upcycled ingredient containing naturally occurring fiber, polyphenols, organic acids, and other plant compounds in their original food matrix. This superfood is often used in dietary supplement powders, fruit gummies, bars, functional food, and beverages as a whole-fruit prebiotic fiber to support gut diversity and flavor.

Researchers identified 39 taste-active compounds, though only a smaller subset significantly influenced the overall taste profile. The resulting profile was characterized by:

• Mild natural sweetness
• Bright acidity
• Smooth, velvety astringency
• Very low bitterness

Whole-Food Matrix vs. Isolated Ingredient Systems
One of the most significant findings from the study was that the sensory improvements appeared to be driven less by individual compounds and more by how those compounds behaved together within the complete food matrix.

“Taste is the difference between first purchase and repeat purchase,” said Scott Forsberg, CEO of Sonomaceuticals. “This study helps explain why WellVine behaves differently,” Forsberg added. “The whole-fruit matrix moderates harsh sensory characteristics in a way isolated ingredients often do not. Most functional ingredients require extensive sensory correction systems,” said Forsberg. “This research shows that whole-fruit ingredients like WellVine can offer a more integrated sensory experience from the start and still provide demonstrated functional health benefits.”

This has important implications for formulating products with health claims provided by polyphenol-rich ingredients, high-fiber content, cocoa and chocolate applications, greens drinks and clean-label products.

Potential Advantages in Product Development
The findings suggest WellVine Chardonnay marc may help support:

• Improved sensory acceptance
• Reduced taste-masking requirements
• Greater formulation flexibility
• Cleaner label positioning
• Better alignment between functionality and consumer experience
  

From Sustainability Story to Functional Utility
Beyond sensory performance, WellVine also aligns with the growing interest in upcycling and sustainability, as it is derived from pressed Chardonnay grapes used in winemaking.

For more information about Sonomaceuticals WellVine Whole-Fruit Prebiotic, visit https://wellvine.com.

About Sonomaceuticals

Sonomaceuticals, makers of WellVine™, was founded by Barbara Banke and Peggy Furth in 2009 with the mission of reducing food waste and increasing global food security. WellVine™ is the first company to offer a real food prebiotic ingredient derived from 100% upcycled wine grapes.

*This release is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Statements regarding dietary ingredients have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/92479978-9767-432d-9905-7bd46bde0aec

Contact:
Mike Danielson
6123860506
mike@healthcar.co

Scott Forsberg Headshot

I spent over 25 years working at the intersection of formulation, strategy, and product development — helping build functional ingredients that meet real-world needs. These days, much of my work is focused on WellVine™, where we’re developing the next generation of prebiotic and dietary fiber — rooted in clean-label innovation, gut health, and upcycled nutrition.At WellVine, we’re focused on building ingredients that don’t just meet claims — they support comfort, microbial balance, and fiber diversity in modern formats like dietary supplement powders, fruit gummies, bars, functional food, and beverages as a whole-fruit prebiotic fiber to support gut diversity and flavor.

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