Grassini wine range extended and redesigned

Minniapolis-based brand solutions and design agency Duffy & Partners has just released the latest designs for Santa Barbara’s Grassini Family Vineyards. The newest packaging is an extension of the vineyard’s first phase of brand revitalization released in 2011.

Duffy’s challenge was clear: to craft an expression of the range that embraced the family ancestry, positioned the vineyard for growth, and differentiated it among a sea of competitors.

Grassini had spotted an opportunity for the winery to expand its premium wine offering by introducing a series of everyday varietals and looked to Duffy to create a design that adequately reflected the nobility of their craft - to communicate the authenticity and value of the Grassini Family Vineyards brand.

Reserve
Available in both red and white varietals, the reserve line takes cues from the original design released in 2010. The metallic screen printed bottles have luxury appeal and feature a black letterpress label with metallic ink. The back label has been replaced with a screen printed message emblazoned in gold. Individually signed and numbered, each bottle is hand-dipped in a gold wax seal.

Everyday varietals
Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux blend wines, Happy Canyon and Articondo, feature a simpler letterpress label with illustrative imagery from the history of the vineyard and the family home. The labels also feature familiar icons of a rich harvest: rooster, bull, and wheat shafts. The illustrations offer a nod to the Happy Canyon landscape and are a subtle nod to Grassini Family Vineyards’ commitment to sustainability.

A wine made by the vineyard’s crew, Equipo, pays tribute to the values of steadfast hard work. This unique offering is the product of a special vineyard lot dedicated to the crew, to be farmed and harvested as they see best. Simple highlights of varietal and production basics, with the seal of a wheelbarrow and a tag-like label, are designed to project the touch of the hands behind the harvest. Letterpress accents like the perforations give the bottle label a tear-away working label look.

24 October 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor