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Navigating Design

By Ricki-Lee Podolecki, DipWSET

How do you tell a story on a 3 x 5” label? Do you start with the wine, the winemaker, or the art? If you are smart, you find a talented graphic designer—part artist, part typographer, and part marketer, with a talent for making a story come to life on a bottle. Kurt Gonsalves is a graphic designer out of Napa Valley (KMGDesign) who has worked with over 150 brands and who has found a niche in designing wine labels. One of Kurt’s longest design relationships is with Napa’s Precision Wine Co. Trevor Sheehan, the winery’s vintner and proprietor, learned that teaming up with a talented designer can get your wine off the shelf and into people’s homes. “We started with a traditional, simple label—but it was when I changed our name to Precision and we came up with the gear label that the brand really evolved and attracted attention.” Each wine label has its own process. “Sometimes we start with the name,” says Trevor, “and sometimes we start with an image and then come up with a name based on the imagery. And it can evolve over time. For the Navigator, we started with the idea of the celestial map on a barrel head— the way barrels came into winemaking was not for ageing but for transportation. Then they realized that the wine tasted better when it arrived at the destination than when it left.” The celestial map that guides the ship on the Navigator label recalls ancient wine barrels travelling in ship hulls to their final destination in the New World. An intrinsic element to a successful label is fruitful partnerships not only with artists but with those who will produce the label. “The true success of many of my brands has been finding creative ways to push the limits of the manufacturing process, working very closely with our local printers and suppliers,” explains Kurt. “Navigator is a great example of a brand that creates an interactive experience as the bottle is turned. Taking a 360 degree bottle design approach through screen printing has been a great brand compliment. These partnerships create a distinct improvement that separates our brands from others in the market.” A memorable label is truly a team effort between the winemaker’s team, the graphic designer, the artists creating the images, and the printer. Each project has its own rhythm—a collaboration that begins with an idea and ends in a story on a bottle.

Screenprint Colors: Precious Gold Platinum, Fine Grind Copper, Silver/Gold/Black Mix, and Metallic Blue

For your records only, no need to fax back (AGAJI|05075Z

ART #58551P PROJECT #44670 DATE 3.29.21

The challenge is creating a brand that is captivating and that alludes to storytelling— that says just enough to capture your attention but also allows for interpretation.

The Creators

L’illustrazione The Illustration

by Michela Baso c/o Studio Quindici

Una freschezza che arriva dal mare, portando con sé i riflessi del sole e i profumi della pesca gialla. Il Pinot Grigio si caratterizza per freschezza e per una piacevole sapidità, con un gusto voluminoso e croccante, è particolarmente indicato per primi piatti di pesce e antipasti di molluschi.

A freshness that comes from the sea, bringing with it the reflections of the sun and the fragrance of yellow peaches. Pinot Grigio is characterised by freshness, a pleasantly rich flavour and a full-bodied, crisp taste. It is particularly suitable for fish dishes and shellfish hors d’oeuvres.

Azienda Vitivinicola Baccichetto Umberto & C ss Via Lignano, 46 – 33050 Precenicco UD T (+39) 0431 58208 • P. Iva 02291210306

Pinot Grigio

Aria

SCHEDA TECNICA

Vitigno: Pinot Grigio Umberto Baccichetto 2021 Pinot Grigio Friuli/Venezia Giulia, Italy ($17.99) Denominazione: D.O.C delle Venezie Varietà d’uva: Pinot Grigio Allevamento: Sylvot, Guyot Metodi di difesa: lotta antiparassitaria integrata ad impatto ambientale controllato Michela Baso, Designer, Studio Quindici: The Pinot Grigio moves on the palate Vendemmia: ultima decade di agosto, prima decade di settembre with the lightness of air, with the character and with the aromas that distinguish Vinificazione: l’uva viene delicatamente diraspata. Successivamente viene pressata in modo soffice it. The illustration evokes these sensations: the gesture and the sign represent ed il mosto ottenuto viene chiarificato. Il mosto quindi fermenta a temperatura controlla in lightness and strength, the hint of the yellow peach (perceived upon tasting) leaves recipienti di acciaio inox. Affinamento: a fine fermentazione il vino viene a permanent trace of itself. mantenuto sui lieviti nei recipienti di acciaio inox per 3 mesi. Il vino imbottigliato viene normalmente conservato in locali termo condizionati. DATA SHEET Varietal: Pinot Grigio Appellation: D.O.C delle Venezie Grape variety: Pinot Grigio Training system: Sylvot, Guyot Pest management: integrated pest control with controlled environmental impact Harvest time: last ten days of August, the first ten days of September Vinification: the grapes are gently destemmed. Then softly pressed and the must produced is clarified. The must then ferments at a controlled temperature in stainless steel vats. Ageing: at the end of fermentation the wine is kept on the lees in stainless steel containers for 3 months. The bottled wine is normally stored in temperaturecontrolled rooms.

NOTE SENSORIALI

Colore: giallo paglierino con affascinanti riflessi dorati. Profumo: complesso, potente, avvolgente. Bouquet ricco e multi sfaccettato: l’apporto floreale margherita e glicine bianco evolve in note di frutta matura con albicocca, e pesca gialla in evidenza. Gusto: voluminoso, croccante, compatto. Pieno e progressivo. L’attacco è complesso e vellutato, fresco ed avvolgente. Eccellente corrispondenza aromatica al palato vengono arricchite da una bella freschezza e dalla piacevole sapidità. Il finale è fresco, teso e molto persistente con retrogusto di agrumi e frutta bianca. Abbinamenti: particolarmente indicato per i piatti di pesce, antipasti di molluschi, risotti e sformati di verdure. Servire a: 12-14° C Scopri gli altri vini del mondo Aria — Discover the other wines of the “Aria” world

Cabernet Franc • Chardonnay • Pinot Bianco • Malbech • Moscato Giallo • Prosecco Frizzante

SENSORY NOTES Colour: straw yellow with enchanting golden hues. Aroma: complex, powerful, embracing. Rich and multifaceted bouquet: the floral contribution of daisy and white wisteria evolves into notes of ripe fruit with apricot and yellow peach highlights. Taste: voluminous, crisp, intense, full-bodied. Rich and gradual. It is complex and velvety, fresh and Poggio Anima 2019 Samael Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy ($17.99) inviting. Superb aromatic matching on the palate is enriched by a beautiful freshness and pleasant Riccardo Campinoti, Winemaker, Poggio Anima: “There is an everyday dichotomy savouriness. The finish is fresh, taut and long-lasting with an aftertaste of citrus and white fruit. between good and bad in the world. Looking for balance in all things (including Pairings: particularly suitable for fish dishes, shellfish hors d’oeuvres, risottos and vegetable pies. wine) is a vital quest for many. The white wines are named after religious archangels, Serving temperature: 12-14° C while the reds are named after fallen angels. Each wine is specifically named for a persona of the grape, region, or style of the wine. In Jewish texts, Samael is better known as the ‘Angel of Death.’ Samael is both good and evil in that he does the work of God but desires man to do evil. Samael is viewed as the seducer, assuming the role of the serpent and tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden. The correlation here info@bertoefiorebaccichetto.it bertoefiorebaccichetto.itis that Montepulciano can be a very alluring and seductive grape that lends itself to pleasurable drinking. That said, oftentimes, Montepulciano is simple and thin. In many ways, it can offer both the good and bad of wine.”

Verum 2020 La Posada Verdejo La Mancha, Spain ($14.99)

Elias Lopez Montero, Winemaker, La Posada: “I spoke with our designer, Pedro Monjardin, who is based in Madrid, and told him about the type of wine we were doing. We asked Pedro to create a label that reflects Spanish culture in a modern way—without being rustic and old fashioned. We also wanted to express that La Posada is a wine for any occasion. La Posada is not listening to the trends, but we believe in its roots, and we trust that this style of wine will last forever—as will all the Spanish themes we chose: Don Quixote, the olive leaf, grapes, the bull, the art from Velazquez, and the flamenco dancers. They connect us to our roots.”

JAX 2019 Taureau Red Blend Napa Valley, USA ($45.99)

Dan Parrot, CEO, Jax Vineyards: “‘Taureau’ was the name of the Jackson family’s prized bull, legendary for his feisty, high-kicking, and vibrant personality. When perfecting this wine at their blending session, the JAX team concurred that the complex personality of their infamous bull reflected the complex structure and elements of this indulgent red blend—and what a perfect tribute to their family ranching legend. I believe some people want a little more than just a family crest or brand logo. The drawing of Taureau was done by [vineyard owners] Kimberly and Trent’s mother, Jane Jackson. Jane has been an artist and designer her whole life, and we loved adding that family touch as we are a small family winery.”

A.A. Badenhorst 2020 Secateurs Chenin Blanc Swartland, South Africa ($28.99)

Adi Badenhorst, Winemaker and Proprietor: “Each of the labels made has small details that tie back to either the family or a person or quality that helped create the wine. The Secateurs name is derived from the pruning shears that are used in the vineyard. This wine is an homage to those who work in the vineyards— from pruning in winter to harvesting in summer. The diagonal yellow band represents the sun and our eldest born, Samuel Sunnyskies Badenhorst. The jackal—representing the winery’s location on Jakkalsfontein Road—is helpfully positioned at the halfway mark on the bottle, so you can easily—and equitably— share a bottle with a friend.”

Château Méaume 2019 Bordeaux Supérieur, France ($21.99)

Sandra Johnson-Hill, Propriétaire, Château Méaume: “While the Bordeaux wine labels will have to adhere to strict regulations governing the factual information included on its veneer, the remaining space is open to the creativity and ingenuity of the winery. At Château Méaume, the current wine label has been the face of our wine bottles since 1980. Once all the strict Bordeaux Superieur regulations had been adhered to, Mark’s uncle Alan Johnson-Hill decided to put the chateau front and centre. To bring its personality and presence to the label, Alan sought the help of his close friend Tom Briggs, an internationally recognized architect and artist, known for his beautiful precision drawings of well-known buildings in Hong Kong.”