New Philip Carter Winery Branding & Packaging

Philip Carter Winery, in Markham, Virginia, has a few new wine lines. The example shown here shows one of many middle tier red wines produced at this wonderful winery.

This label features an icon of Cleve Plantation, where Philip's ancestor made the first award winning American wines during the colonial period (see below).

Whites are being produced as well and also an easy drinking line called Falconwood, with artwork from Virginia artists gracing the label, unique for each vintage. Some of the proceeds of the sale of Falconwood will go to charity, helping preserve the unique and historic landscape of the Northern Viriginia Piedmont region.

Digital printing services for this product were provided by Labels Unlimited, U.S.A. of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Tele: (757) 340 8893.

Historic Manassas Museum Launches Branded Products

The Manassas Museum, located in Old Town Manassas, decided to launch a line of branded products highlighting the history and tradition of this very special region of the "Old Dominon."

Located in the heart of the Virginia Piedmont and the site of two major battles in the War Between the States-First Manassas (Bull Run) and Second Manassas (Bull Run), Manassas has many historical points of note and the Museum sought product design to leverage this rich history.

To name but a few...

It was here that "Stonewall" Jackson got his nickname of...well, "Stonewall," so given because of his unyileding battle lines. Also, Manassas is the site of the first military railroad...in the world. Spies and subterfuge made this part of Virginia a hotbed of clandestine activity. Colonel John Mosby, Confederate raider, literally roamed this area with impunity, giving the region the name "Mosby's Confederacy."

Shirts, mugs, rulers, bookmarks, historical tins...a whole line of items have been produced and I was pleased to be asked to work on designing these interesting projects.

Shown here is the tin for the old Hopkins Candy Factory, an enterprise that once dominated Old Town Manassas. With quality candy in this tin, the period piece graphics, developed by A Guy Studio, reflect the time of this business's hay-day.

Also shown is a bookmark with a timeline of Manassas highlights on one side and vignets ont he other, including an image of a cipher disk on the front...a cipher disk used to send messages between agents of the Confederate Secret Service.

Other items to be posted soon-

White Hall Vineyards, Cuvee Des Champs Redesigned

White Hall Vineyards, a top tier mid-Atlantic vineyard located on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in White Hall Virginia, looked to re-brand their products. White Hall did not have a logotype that was prorietary, a look that was visually "ownable" on shelf.

So, I was referred to Toni Champ, the owner of White Hall, by the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office to be a consultant. After a few meetings, we came up with a line of creative that hit the mark. The new branding uses the clean simple style that White Hall prefers while making a look that is unique to this particular winery.

Starting with their Cuvee Des Champs ("fruit of the fields" and a play on the owners name), the new branding features an elegant oval label, die cut from the fine, 100% cotton rag, textured stock, hot stamping and triple beveling. The ink lay introduction was double-thick, so in hand, this is as much of a delight as the product in the glass.

If you are west of Charlottesville, Virginia, stop by their lovely winery. Gracious people, lovely area, great wine...worth a visit, trust me.

(Try the syrah)

Image coming soon-

Steve Ollice Design, Web Designer for A Guy Studio

Steve Ollice...a fellow East Carolina Grad...is quickly pulling together elements for my web redesign (long time in coming and sorely needed!).  Located in the Raleigh, N.C. area, Steve is a very talented, trustworthy and easy going artist who has my high recommendations.

My web presence has been improved immeasurably by his skills.  If you are interested in working with Steve, view his work and contact him via his site:  http://ollicedesign.com/

Links to Wine & Spirits Clients

Many people have been asking where to find such and such wine or spirit, so I would like to post the websites of some of my clients.  

Check out their sites.  Good people, all and you can find out how to get everything from a quality Virginia port to a superlative blended Scotch whisky!  And more!

In alphabetical order...

Christensen Ridge Winery - http://www.christensenridge.com/

First Colony Winery - http://www.firstcolonywinery.com/

King Family Vineyards - http://www.kingfamilyvineyards.com/

Philip Carter Winery of Virginia – http://www.pcwinery.com/

Potomac Point Vineyards & Winery - http://www.potomacpointwinery.com/

Vino Curioso Winery - http://www.vinocurioso.com/

White Hall Vineyards -

http://www.whitehallvineyards.com/

Wild Scotsman Whiskey - http://www.wildscotsman.com/ 

Wintergreen Winery - http://www.firstcolonywinery.com/