Come and visit us at WIN Expo booth 221 to find out more about how MA Silva is leading the way in technology and sustainability globally. With new products such as the Nobel Tech and Neo Tech ranges we offer best in class products and exceptional service.
Nobel Tech is a three prong process used to create uniformity and consistency in all aspects of the natural cork
Neo Tech is our proprietary cleansing system used on granulated materials to make the highest performing technical corks on the market.
Use promo code: MASILVA221 for a free trade show floor pass and visit our booth at the WIN Expo on DEc. 4 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds
M. A. Silva USA is the leading and award-winning manufacturer of premium corks, glass, and packaging for North American markets. It is our mission to demonstrate impeccable integrity, consistent customer service, and continuously commitment to upholding sustainable and eco-friendly operations.
Kamee KnutsonM. A. Silva USA, the leading and award-winning manufacturer of premium corks, glass and packaging, announced today it has hired two account managers for its California-based sales team: Kamee Knutson and Tod West.
Kamee Knutson has been in the winemaking business for over twenty years and brings her extensive knowledge and expertise of the craft to her new position. Commenting on her hire, M. A. Silva’s General Manager, Mike Bartlett said, “We are excited to have someone with Kamee’s extensive winemaking experience join the M. A. Silva family. Her experience and knowledge will make her a valued advisor to our customers and our team.” For Kamee, this new position is a way to stay connected to the craft and community that shaped her. “The closure is the last thing to touch a wine before it is poured, and I can’t think of a better partner, in that moment, than M. A. Silva.”
Tod WestTod West, a wine industry veteran, will be responsible for the Central Coast and Southern California region. Ryan Riewerts, National Sales Manager, summed up Tod’s hire by saying, “It’s great to have a wine industry veteran join the M. A. Silva team. Tod’s years of experience, along with his winery contacts, are exactly what we have been looking for to help us grow in this key wine-making area.” For Tod, he sees this as a chance to work for a company that shares his values. “I chose M. A. Silva for their reputation as an exemplary company. Additionally, their core values, commitment to sustainability, and outstanding customer care resonated with me.”
M. A. Silva USA: M. A. Silva USA is the leading and award-winning manufacturer of premium corks, glass, and packaging for North American markets. Our mission is to demonstrate impeccable integrity, consistent customer service, and a continuous commitment to upholding sustainable and eco-friendly operations.
When it comes to sealing your wine with care, a NATURAL cork stopper is more than just tradition, it's a conscious decision.
Crafted from renewable cork oak bark, natural stoppers are biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainably harvested without harming the trees. This means every bottle sealed with natural cork supports a thriving ecosystem, helps combat climate change through carbon sequestration, and preserves the heritage of fine winemaking.
At M.A. Silva, innovation meets precision with NEOTECH®—our breakthrough cork purification technology. Through a continuous and automated process using controlled steam and pressure, NEOTECH® effectively removes TCA and other volatile compounds from cork granules. The result? Clean, consistent corks that preserve the purity of your wine and protect your reputation. Bottle after bottle.
This is more than technology—it’s our commitment to excellence in every detail. Learn more about how NEOTECH® sets a new standard in cork innovation: https://www.masilva.com/technology/#neotech
"The relationship I had built with M. A. Silva is the reason I moved everything to them"
Erica Stancliff, a consulting winemaker renowned for her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality, has been working with M. A. Silva since 2010. Initially, she relied on M. A. Silva solely for corks. However, by 2015, her trust in their products and services grew so much that she transitioned all her clients’ packaging needs, including specialized glass molds and box printing, to M. A. Silva.
Stancliff’s decision to move everything to M. A. Silva was not made lightly. The catalyst for this shift was the exceptional relationship she developed with their team. “The relationship I had built with M. A. Silva is the reason I moved everything to them,” Stancliff explains. The previous glass vendor she used had consistent issues with variability, delivery problems, and a lack of reliable customer service. These challenges were particularly problematic given the complex logistics involved in managing multiple clients, vineyards, and appellations.
In the world of winemaking, timing is critical, especially when arranging multiple bottlings around the precise delivery of materials. Working across six different brands with a variety of SKUs, Stancliff has to manage a complex array of sizes, counts, and other variables. In such a high-stakes environment, having a reliable partner like M. A. Silva has been invaluable. “If anything ever goes wrong, I know M. A. Silva will answer and help find a solution,” she says.
Trust is the foundation of any successful partnership, and for Stancliff, being able to hand off projects to M. A. Silva with the confidence that they will be executed perfectly has been a game changer. Keeping orders and billing straight is no small feat, but M. A. Silva’s transparency and organization have made it easier for Stancliff to stay on top of her responsibilities. “They are very good at staying organized and staying on top of it. I rely on them a lot to keep myself organized,” Stancliff shares. Whether it’s dealing with changes in billing or navigating potential snags, M. A. Silva’s clear communication and willingness to find workarounds have made them an indispensable partner.
M. A. Silva’s commitment to transparency extends beyond day-to-day operations. Stancliff appreciates their candidness when discussing broader issues, such as potential tariff changes or other barriers that could impact the supply chain. Despite these challenges, she continues to find M. A. Silva’s offerings aligned with her cost comparisons, ensuring that she receives value without compromising quality.
One of the highlights of Stancliff’s relationship with M. A. Silva was a trip to Portugal, where she had the opportunity to see the cork forests firsthand. “Watching the cultural pride around the forests and how much is centered around that industry was fascinating,” Stancliff recalls. She was particularly struck by the sustainability practices in place, where every part of the cork is utilized—even the dust. By choosing M. A. Silva’s corks, Stancliff not only supports sustainability but also helps keep people employed and contributes to the preservation of an entire ecosystem.
For Stancliff, working with M. A. Silva is about more than just business; it’s about making the right decisions for the environment and the people who depend on it. “I know I’m making the right decision, but now I am convinced and proud to be supporting it,” she concludes. With M. A. Silva as a partner, Stancliff can continue to focus on what she does best—creating exceptional wines—while knowing that the materials and practices behind each bottle align with her values of quality and sustainability.
Become one of our clients and create a story of your own. Contact us for a quote.
Neil FosterSANTA ROSA, CA: January 15, 2025 – M. A. SILVA, a global leader in the cork industry, announced today that Neil Foster will retire from M. A. Silva USA. Since its establishment in 2000, M. A. Silva USA has become a leading provider of premium corks, glass, and packaging for the North American wine industry. Foster, alongside his long-time partner, the Silva family of Portugal, has built a company renowned for its quality, customer service, and sustainability.
With Neil Foster’s planned retirement, the Silva family will assume full management of M. A. Silva USA, ensuring continuity in the company’s commitment to its customers and employees. “The Silva family has been an integral part of this journey from the beginning,” said Foster. “Their leadership and our shared values will continue to uphold the standards and relationships that have made M.A. Silva USA a trusted name in the industry.”
“The transition reinforces M. A. Silva’s dedication to providing consistent, high-quality products and services to its customers.” explained José Silva. He continued “Customers and employees alike can expect seamless operations and the same commitment to excellence that has defined the company for over two decades.”
Jose Silva
There is no predecessor announced at this time, although during this transition, Foster will remain involved in a consulting role to provide guidance and support to both the internal team and customers. New management is expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the Silva family put roles into place.
About M. A. Silva USA
M. A. Silva USA is the leading and award-winning manufacturer of premium corks, glass, and packaging for North American markets. Their mission to demonstrate impeccable integrity, consistent customer service, and continuous commitment to upholding sustainable and eco-friendly operations. M. A. Silva USA was established in 2000 by cork industry experts Neil Foster and Manuel Alves Silva Sr., founder of M. A. Silva Portugal, a family-owned and operated company with a 50-year history of wine cork manufacturing. M.A. Silva USA can be reached at 707.636.2530 or www.masilva.com.
About M. A. Silva Portugal
Founded in 1972 and based in Mozelos, Feira, Portugal, M.A. Silva is a global leader in the cork stopper market with a fully vertically integrated approach. Renowned for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, the company maintains extensive international operations. Key assets include a 105,000 m² raw material center in Alter do Chão, Alentejo, three processing facilities in northern Portugal, and six distribution units across Spain, France, Italy, Brazil, China, and the USA. Additionally, M.A. Silva is represented by over 10 exclusive agents in regions including Germany, Austria, and Australia. In 2023 alone, the company produced over 600 million corks, serving more than 8,000 clients worldwide, with 90% of its production exported, supported by a dedicated team of over 420 employees.
SANTA ROSA, CA: November 11, 2024 – M.A. SILVA, a global leader in the cork industry, proudly launches NOBELTECH®, a groundbreaking innovation that combines artificial intelligence with premium cork production. As the first cork company to utilize AI to ensure unparalleled product quality, M.A. SILVA sets a new industry standard with its NOBELTECH® and NOBEL CORKSTOPPERS® product lines, merging tradition with cutting-edge technology and sustainability.
The NOBELTECH® platform integrates three advanced technologies to deliver the most performant and sustainable corks available on the market.
- SARA ADVANCED® – Sensory Uniformity
A continuous and automatic extraction process ensures the removal of volatiles for sensory consistency. The system uses controlled temperature, pressure, and dry steam to preserve the cork’s elastic memory, safeguarding its structural integrity. - BIONICEYE® – AI & Machine Learning
This technology employs ultra-sensitive cameras and machine learning algorithms to perform piece-by-piece selection and grading. The result is enhanced sustainability, as the process requires fewer steps while optimizing efficiency and achieving superior quality assurance. - RAY SYSTEM® – Thermal Radiation Desorption
By applying a thermal gradient, the RAY SYSTEM® efficiently extracts TCA and other volatiles while maintaining the cork’s intrinsic humidity. This thermal desorption process guarantees sensory neutrality, making NOBELTECH® the best extraction solution on the market.
By combining the SARA ADVANCED® process, BIONICEYE®, and the RAY SYSTEM®, M.A. SILVA achieves unmatched sensory neutrality and product consistency.
“With NOBELTECH®, we are not just innovating; we are redefining the standard of excellence in the cork industry,” said José Silva, CEO of M.A. SILVA. “By combining tradition with cutting-edge AI technology, we’re able to deliver corks that are not only superior in performance but also sustainable, reinforcing our commitment to environmental stewardship.”
M.A. SILVA’s sustainability initiatives include using solar panels and biomass energy, achieving a negative CO2 balance of -267.7g per natural cork. This commitment is aligned with the company’s Terroir philosophy, which emphasizes sourcing the highest quality cork from the fertile regions of the Iberian Peninsula, such as Alentejo, Algarve, Extremadura, and Andalusia.
About M. A. Silva USA
M. A. Silva USA is the leading and award-winning manufacturer of premium corks, glass, and packaging for North American markets. Their mission to demonstrate impeccable integrity, consistent customer service, and continuous commitment to upholding sustainable and eco-friendly operations. M. A. Silva USA was established in 2000 by cork industry experts Neil Foster and Manuel Alves Silva Sr., founder of M. A. Silva Portugal, a family-owned and operated company with a 50-year history of wine cork manufacturing. M.A. Silva USA can be reached at 707.636.2530 or www.masilva.com.
About M. A. Silva Portugal
Founded in 1972 and based in Mozelos, Feira, Portugal, M.A. Silva is a global leader in the cork stopper market with a fully vertically integrated approach. Renowned for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation, the company maintains extensive international operations. Key assets include a 105,000 m² raw material center in Alter do Chão, Alentejo, three processing facilities in northern Portugal, and six distribution units across Spain, France, Italy, Brazil, China, and the USA. Additionally, M.A. Silva is represented by over 10 exclusive agents in regions including Germany, Austria, and Australia. In 2023 alone, the company produced over 600 million corks, serving more than 8,000 clients worldwide, with 90% of its production exported, supported by a dedicated team of over 420 employees.
Andy Schweiger
Some may say Andy Schweiger has his head in the clouds. His winery, is, after all, 2,000 feet off the valley floor on the top of Spring Mountain. With such lofty fruit, one can imagine Andy has top-level quality goals for all his suppliers.
Indeed, Andy admits to working with many different cork suppliers for years to establish his own meticulous list of criteria, service expectations, and quality control standards. “Other companies would nod at my requirements and gave me lip service,” recalls Andy, “but MAS actually listened and took my requests to heart.”
Since that first meeting, M. A. Silva has endured at Schweiger by striving for increasingly high quality in all Andy’s cork deliveries. By periodically announcing new technological innovations like the Dynavox system and SARA Advanced process, the supplier continues to methodically test and improve so they can deliver the highest level of quality cork for every order.
Andy cites M.A. Silva’s penchant for technological advancement in an otherwise ancient process as the secret to their high bar for quality. He explains that his sales reps are perpetually working to improve and educate. “I continue to learn things from them. It’s a true partnership. We support each other – it’s not a relationship where they just sell me things and I just pay them.”
“With former vendors I kept running into a choke neck problem, but as soon as I switched to the product from M.A. Silva, I haven’t had that issue and we’re able to get more consistent fill heights.”
– Winemaker Andy Schweiger
Andy got so comfortable with M.A. Silva with his cork supply that he eventually switched his glass purchases to the company. In the glass marketplace, Andy feels M.A. Silva provides an exceptional quality for the price. “The molds and shapes that they provide and have readily available Is visibly identical of the forms you get from France at 10x the cost,” says Andy.
He continues to explain that M.A. Silva continued to meet his extraordinary quality expectations as his new glass supplier. He found the glass quality control conducted by M.A. Silva to be much more reliable than with former vendors. “With former vendors I kept running into a choke neck problem, but as soon as I switched to the product from M.A. Silva, I haven’t had that issue and we’re able to get more consistent fill heights.”
That continual top-level quality doesn’t come at the expense of sustainability. The lightweight bottles are a hit with both his staff and his clients. Andy can keep his case weight at 38lbs – which is one of the items on Andy’s checklist. “Our staff don’t break their backs and shipping fees don’t break our customers banks,” he says.
The more checks Andy can mark on his quality checklist is all good news for Schweiger Vineyards. Andy knows by partnering with M.A. Silva to meet his high demands, he can keep shipping wine from his mountaintop to his consumers, and trust his wine is in top form.
Become one of our clients and create a story of your own. Contact us for a quote.