Snap a wine label, get the story behind it, with sources
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.
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.
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, short stories | 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 | 2026-10-10 |
| Delectable | Delectable Premium $5.99/month; Ad Free $1.99/month | app free | 2026-10-10 |
| Identify Anything - Identifier | Weekly $1.99; Annual $29.99; Lifetime $29.99 | 2 scans per day | 2026-10-10 |
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.