Abstract: An automatic corkscrew driven by a reversible motor is provided in which a threaded, cork penetrating auger first penetrates and thereafter extracts a cork from the braced top of a wine bottle. The platform, on which the auger is rotatably mounted, moves to and from a position of full penetration of the auger into the cork. A ball screw moves the platform and provides through a chain for rotation of a normally disengaged thrust closed clutch. Initially the platform moves downwardly to a position where the auger fully penetrates the cork. During this downward motion, the auger is thrust into engagement with the cork, closed the normally disengaged clutch and rotates the auger so that the auger flight advances into the cork at the same speed the platform descends. At full penetration, the platform trips a motor reversing switch and reverses direction and ascends. The normally disengaged clutch is opened. The auger thus remains stationary with respect to the cork.