Behind the label

Behind the label Wine reviews by Gill Gordon-Smith IWE

There has long been a debate about wine, art and science. Many wine marketers would insist that wine, being a creative pursuit, is an art form. Some bottles provoke a visceral emotion, others are just a product. Some wines express the maker’s vision, while others express the provenance of site. A good label can represent all of this. Truth is, label design can make or break the sale of a wine and its positioning on a bottle-shop shelf or wine list. Many consumers will try a wine or reject one simply due to the label. It can’t change what’s in the bottle but a well-designed label can tell the story of the producer, showcase their philosophy, create an emotional connection and add value and meaning.

Oliver’s Taranga 2020 Vermentino

Fresh – textural – saline – citrus – delicious This label tells the story of a grape-growing and winemaking family with deep connections to the region. These are real people, still growing and working as they have for over 180 years through six generations. Voices from the past and present are represented: ‘vermentino’ is printed in a font pulled from the family archives, the story of the vintage is recorded in winemaker Corrina’s own hand, and Don Oliver’s (fifth generation viticulturist) signature appears on each label. The label adopts a minimal but premium approach to paper, colour and texture, in much the way their wines showcase the fruit, not the artifice.

Spring Seed Wine Co 2019 Poppy Pinot Grigio

Crisp – citrus – pear – floral – pass another A visually pretty, lush and honest label with a vintage feel that expresses the distinct personality of Spring Seed Wine Co wines compared to those of sibling winery, Battle of Bosworth. Inspired by flower seed packets created at the turn of last century, the labels have an appealing design that evokes a sense of timeless heirlooms. The cream-and-brown raised lettering on the cap together with the font and matt texture add to a feeling of value and quality without being pretentious.

d’Arenberg 2020 Stephanie the Gnome with Rose Coloured Glasses Mourvèdre Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Cinsault

Bright – fresh – cherry – dry – shared table long lunch The iconic slash of red across the label tells you instantly which McLaren Vale winery we’re dealing with here. The sheep and kangaroos found in the vineyards put a twist on the traditional crest and provide a visual connection to the new organic and biodynamic range that this wine is part of. It’s just what you expect from the imaginative, quirky and always authentic d’Arenberg. It’s fun, classic and timeless, tipping its hat to Europe, but always Australian at heart.

Heath & Co 2020 Tempranillo Rosé – Finniss River

Lively – balanced – dry – red fruits and berries – picnic Life and work are intertwined for this family-run single estate winery. The label captures this world – the winemakers’ home – through the peaceful and nature-driven design which references the plants and animals found on the certified organic property. The matte parchment-style paper adds to elements of nature, beauty and balance while also reflecting the ethos behind this working farm and idyllic family vineyard. The label, drawn with intricate detail, invites the viewer to look more closely, drawing them into the wonder and elegance of nature and its representation within the bottle.

Dandelion Vineyards 2018 Pride of the Fleurieu Cabernet Sauvignon

Structured – classic – black fruited – fresh herbs – classy The eponymous flower is the obvious choice for this winery’s labels, but the icon is elevated through beautiful design. Against a

clean, white background the stylised whimsy of the dandelion seeds seemingly float from the label in 3D effect with puffs of the ‘wishing clock’ flying up to the cap. It’s deceptively simple, yet detailed, and reflects the plant that flowers throughout the owners’ vineyards that are ‘spread like a dandelion’ through different regions from Lake Alexandrina to Eden Valley. The Pride of the Fleurieu Cabernet is named after the family’s pride and joy – their vineyard on the Finniss River.

Hither & Yon 2019 McLaren Vale Carignan

Tart cherry – spiced plum – fleshy – smashable – joyous Hither and Yon’s beautiful and unique labels feature the ampersand – a ligature that represents the family heritage, the flow of the land, the wine and the journey. The symbol reflects the connections that come from nature, friends, family, food and the shared experiences that evolve from these. The owners work closely with their design partner and every label is the result of a process of tasting and exploring the feelings the wine evokes, before choosing an artist to interpret each one.

Mollydooker 2018 The Boxer Shiraz

Generous – heady – rich – black fruity – spicy – smooth A philosophy of creating vibrant and memorable images that tell a story is behind the Mollydooker Labels. Each Mollydooker label tells the wine’s story through a vibrant, memorable image, allowing for some fun and unique expressions. The Boxer label design came from the first tasting, which the winemaker described as a ‘knockout’. The label has an old school, cartoon-like feel with inspiration drawn from 1930s Popeye comics. It’s fun, engaging and reflects what’s in the bottle, bringing together art and winemaking in a combination with a broad appeal.

Paxton NOW 2019 McLaren Vale Shiraz

Preservative free – red fruits – black cherry – lively – vibrant The label of this preservative-free shiraz has such a warm and welcoming feeling. Flowers, cow horns and bees in blue and orange dance around the typography and express the wine’s bio/organic origins. It’s folky, hipster edge without the cliché. Biodynamics is something the Paxtons hold close to their hearts, being one of the original biodynamic family wineries, and they worked closely with their label designers to translate this philosophy to the bottle. Its joyous and inviting design perfectly reflects the values and totally nails the brief.

Wirra Wirra Amator 2018 Tempranillo Touriga

Generous – spice – red fruits – black fruits – dynamic – delicious Steampunk, The Great Gatsby, 1920s, secret societies. You are being watched. A clever and appealing design in simple off-white and grey-black tones. Amator comes from the Latin to ‘do something out of love or passion’ rather than reward. The eye and heart symbol reflects the observation element of biodynamic farming: you need to be in the vineyard, eyes on the prize, watching and observing. The heart encasing the eye acknowledges the philosophy of biodynamic viticulture and their commitment to the cause.

Alpha Box and Dice The Mistress 2018 Tempranillo Carignan

Berry compote – dark choc cherry ripe – dried herb – juicy It’s vintage: the days are long and the grapes won’t wait. The wines become the mistress, dictating and engulfing everything. It also starts with the letter M and at AB & D every grape and style is represented by a letter, with each wine arising from an individual project, story or inspiration expressed through great, contemporary design that is always timely and current. Every label’s artwork is individual and stylistically different, but they share an appealingly unique and artistic approach to design that perfectly encapsulates the brand.