The history of Rogar’s Estate and ChampionWine Openers is a history of the art of opening fine wines.

Cork became commonplace for stopping up wine bottles in the mid-18th century. The corkscrew then had to be invented so the cork could be cleanly removed.

It wasn’t until the late 18th century that the first patent for a corkscrew was granted in Birmingham, England, to Samuel Henshal. The availability of a corkscrew allowed wine-makers to use an airtight seal, permitting wine to be stored for long periods of time.

Cork removal could be a challenge on a busy night in a saloon or public house back in 19th century America. The need to safely open and serve wine resulted in the invention of the bar or speed corkscrew – one that combined speed, function and aesthetics.

Rogar International Corporation has been the premier name in speed wine openers since it’s introduction of the solid brass Vintner in 1975. Like Rogar’s current Champion and Estate wine openers, the Vintner was based on the “Champion Cork Removal System” made by the Arcade Manufacturing Company using Michael Redlinger’s American patent of 1897. Even then, the Champion had the unique ability to uncork and recork. Rogar took the original’s mechanical concept and has continued to enhance it with modern materials. Although the Vintner is no longer in production and has become a collector’s item, Rogar’s Estate and Champion wine openers are now the fastest, easiest and most stylish way to open a wine bottle. They are fast, simple and foolproof.

As we enter a new millennium, Rogar has kept pace with the times. Although the inspiration for our wine openers comes from the past, the technology is 21st century.

All our Estate and Champion openers have been designed to work on the newest flange top wine bottles as well as standard wine bottles. They even can be used to open corked olive oil bottles.All Rogar wine openers are proudly crafted in Virginia, USA, and carry a one-year limited warranty.