By Michael Haran
Once again we had wonderful participation in our 5th annual label contest. We included seven Best-of-Class categories as well as a Sweepstakes winner.
“We wanted to design a label that symbolized the vineyard first,” said John Harley owner/partner and wine maker at Two Worlds Wine Company, Sebastopol, Ca. John and his partner A.J. Fillipelli, a vineyard manager, met while attending wine and viticulture studies at Fresno State University. The design of the label was meant to imitate the scientific notations that one would find on a pack of mustard or poppy seeds and they went with a brown color to again, reflect the soil.
The label, which was conceptualized by John, A.J. and their wives Kirsti and Jen, was then turned over to Lindsay Huck an art designer from who lives in Texas. The root design coming out of the “I” in Inizi (Italian for “beginning”) and the intricate detailing of the root system made the label stand out for the label judges. This label was chosen over 120 entries.
The label is also unique in its distinct scientific connotations including Variety: Charbono; Vintage: 2012; Cases Produced: 225; The year the vineyard was planted: 1970s; AVA: Calistoga, Napa Valley; and ALC by Vol: 13.4%. The label wasn’t the only award for these young wine makers. Their Charbono wine, which comes from a 1.5 acre vineyard, won a gold medal in this year’s SFCWC wine competition. A good job all the way around.
(click images to enlarge)
2015 Sweepstakes Award
2015 Best of Class
Artistic Wine Label
Inizi
2013 Charbono
Calistoga, California
2015 Classical Wine Label
2015 Best of Class Award
Classical Wine Label
Cardella Winery
Ruby Cabernet
District 13 Modesto, California
2015 Whimsical Wine Label
2015 Best of Class Award
Whimsical Wine Label
Spin the Bottle Cellars
2011 Red Wine Blend
California
2015 Series Wine Label
2015 Best of Class Award
Series Wine Label
Robert Lauchland Vineyards
Label Series
Lodi, California
2015 Block Wine Label
2015 Best of Class Award
Block Wine Label
Worland Vineyards
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
California
2015 Etched – Painted Wine Label
2015 Best of Class Award
Etched-Painted Wine Label
Little Fish Wine Company
2011 Petite Sirah High Valley
Healdsburg, California
2015 Packaging (tie)
2015 Best of Class Award
Packaging
Truett Hurst Winery
Paperboy
2012 Red Blend
Paso Robles, California
2015 Best of Class Award
Packaging
Bon Affair
Sauvignon Blanc Wine Spritzer
Lodi, California
This year’s judges included Elizabeth Slater of “In Short Marketing;” Dave Miller of “PackagingArts” a wine label and marketing materials printing company; Bev Griesert, design and marketing consultant; Paul and Jennifer Tincknell of Tincknell & Tincknell wine marketers.