A wine label scanner app that tells you the story behind the bottle
Take or upload a photo of a wine label, a packaged product, a landmark or a painting. Tellwren identifies it and builds a story card: what it is, the maker, origin and history, how it is made, the story behind the name, fun facts and related items. Every section links to where it came from (Wikipedia, Wikidata, Open Food Facts or the maker's own website), and anything the sources do not cover is listed as not found instead of being made up. Photos are processed in memory and not stored.
How do I scan a wine label to learn about the wine?
Open a label scanner on your phone, photograph the front label in good light, and pick the right match if the app is unsure. Rating apps such as Vivino show scores and prices; Tellwren tells the story instead: the maker, the origin and history, how it is made and the story behind the name, with a source link on every section. It runs in the browser, so there is nothing to install.
- Open tellwren.cybermaxtools.com on your phone (no app store, no sign-up).
- Snap the front label straight on, or type the name or scan the barcode.
- Read the story card, open any source link, and save or share it.
Real screenshots
A real story card: Château Margaux (from the published story page)
| Section | What the card says (shortened) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A Bordeaux wine estate in Margaux-Cantenac, one of five wines ranked Premier cru (first growth) in the 1855 Classification. | Wikipedia |
| Key facts | Country: France. Located in Margaux, Margaux-Cantenac. Architect: Louis Combes. | Wikidata Q1063236 |
| In the maker's own words | Owned by the Mentzelopoulos family since 1977; a Premier Grand Cru Classé (quoted in French). | Official website |
| Origin and history | Occupied since at least the 12th century; wine production grew with the Lestonnac family in the 16th century. | Wikipedia (History) |
| How it is made | 80 hectares planted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. | Wikipedia (Production) |
| Not found in our sources | Fun facts | (left empty rather than guessed) |
Source: Tellwren story page https://tellwren.cybermaxtools.com/story/chateau-margaux/ built 9 Oct 2026 (products/tellwren/web/story/chateau-margaux/). Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikidata CC0. Tellwren is not affiliated with the estate.
Scan it right the first time
Photograph the front label straight on, filling most of the frame, without glare from overhead lights. Curved labels read best from directly in front.
If the scan is unsure, Tellwren shows up to 3 guesses; picking the right one is faster than rescanning. The barcode on the back label works for many supermarket wines.
What a wine label tells you, and what it does not
The front label usually names the producer, the wine or estate, the appellation (where the grapes grew) and the vintage. Old World labels name the place; New World labels more often name the grape.
Tellwren adds what the label leaves out: who makes it, where and since when, and how it is made, from Wikipedia, Wikidata, Open Food Facts or the maker's own site. Small or little-known wineries may have little sourced history.
Tellwren vs the alternatives
Published prices, each checked on the date shown; prices change, so confirm on each site.
| Product | Price | Free | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tellwren Pro | $4.99/month; $39.99/year; $69.99 lifetime | 3 photo scans + 30 lookups a day | live |
| Vivino | app free; Vivino Premium in-app purchases $4.99, $5.99, $47.90, $49.99, $57.00 (periods not labelled) | app free, label scanning | 2026-10-15 |
| Delectable | Premium $5.99/month; Ad Free $1.99/month | app free | 2026-10-15 |
| Wine-Searcher | PRO in-app purchases $10.99 and $98.99 (periods not labelled) | app free | 2026-10-15 |
| Identify Anything AI Scanner | Weekly $4.99; Monthly $9.99; Yearly $39.99 | free with in-app purchases | 2026-10-15 |
Why teams pick Tellwren
- A source link on every section: you can check each fact, and gaps are shown as not found.
- Not only wine: packaged foods and drinks, landmarks and paintings get the same story card.
- More free use than many scanner apps: 3 photo scans and 30 lookups a day, no account.
- Photos are not stored, and your saved collection stays on your phone. Pro from $4.99/month, under Delectable Premium at $5.99/month.
How it works
- Open Tellwren on your phone and snap the label (or type a name or scan a barcode).
- If it is unsure, pick the right match from up to 3 guesses.
- Read the story card, follow any source link, and save or share it.
FAQ
Is there a free wine label scanner?
Yes: Tellwren gives 3 photo scans and 30 name or barcode lookups a day free, with no sign-up.
Why not Vivino?
Vivino is the place for ratings, reviews and prices from a huge community. Tellwren does not rate or price wine; it tells the story behind the label and cites where each fact comes from.
Why not Delectable?
Delectable Premium ($5.99/month) adds critic reviews and ratings. Choose Tellwren for the history and making of a bottle, with sources, from $4.99/month.
Does it work on things other than wine?
Yes: packaged food and drinks, landmarks, paintings and other objects that have a public source to cite.
Limits?
No ratings, prices or tasting notes. Small or little-known wineries may have little or no sourced story. The day's photo-scan capacity can run out; typing a name and barcodes keep working. For adults of legal drinking age.