Denver Cramer – designer, entrepreneur and creator of what’s arguably the world’s most functional wine glass – insists he’s not your “typical” wine guy. In fact, he says at first glance, most people wouldn’t know he was in the business of high-end wine at all.

As the owner and co-founder of Melbourne-based glassware brand Denver & Liely, Denver is simply focussed on creating quality, considered designs that enhance the experience of drinking wine, beer and spirits and deliver the most precise taste and smell profile possible.

Now, he’s taken that a step further with a groundbreaking new wine glass design, which experts say can emulate the effect of ageing a wine by up to four years.

Toasting new beginnings

Since its launch 10 years ago, Denver & Liely has become an iconic glassware brand around the globe – with notable customers like Ryan Reynolds – but their origin story is more down-to-earth.

The business was originally conceived by Denver and his good friend Liely Faulkner one evening while drinking whisky. They wanted to design a bespoke whisky glass as a Christmas gift for their family and friends. To them, it seemed an easier option than having to confront chaotic shopping centre carparks during the festive season. 

In the clear light of day, Denver couldn’t shake the idea, and the pair – both with industrial design backgrounds – began to craft a glass to maximise the taste and aroma of whisky.

“We put so much design and engineering time into it because it was for love, for family and friends – it wasn’t for money,” Denver says. 

With an initial production run of 100 units, Denver and Liely planned to take 35 each for Christmas gifts and sell the remaining 30. 

Unfortunately for their family and friends, a little publicity and a rookie error when setting up their website meant their entire inventory sold out in a single morning. 

“I had to call Liely and destroy Christmas for him – there were no presents left,” Denver laughs.

The Denver & Liely difference

10 years later, Denver & Liely products are still highly sought after. Known for their impeccable quality and functionality, every piece of glassware is engineered with genuine love and to the highest possible specifications: hand-blown, hand-cut and from lead-free crystal. 

“We put time into the research and the development of all our products,” Denver says.