You don’t have to visit a museum to view great art. There’s plenty to be found at your local wine shop. Here are just a few examples of fine art on wine labels from around the world.
Some Young Punks Passion Has Red Lips, Australia. This label is a modified version of the cover of Sin on Wheels, a classic pulp-fiction novel. It represents part of the winery’s Pulp Series, whose labels feature trashy book covers. Also, its T’n’T series carries images from classic adventure comics, and the Rare Series portrays artistic renditions of women with wild beasts.
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2013, Australia. This deep-colored abstract by aboriginal artist Jimmy Nerrimah is entitled Wurrurrpirri and Kakiny. Leeuwin’s art series of wines feature reproductions of paintings by well-known Australian artists. Many of the original works, like this one, hang in the estate’s art gallery.
Gut Oggau, Burgenland, Austria. Owners Eduard & Stephanie Tscheppe-Eselböck commissioned Jung von Mat to draw the faces of family members for the labels of its 10 wines. New drawings are created for each vintage, which reflect the life history of each person depicted. The wines currently feature three generations, which includes the founders, their children, spouses and grandchildren.
Viu Manent Secreto, Chile. Viu Manent commissioned Chilean artist Catalina Abbot to design these whimsical labels. Abbott has applied her style, often described as a mashup of Basquiat and Picasso, to the seven “Secreto” wines produced by Viu Manent. Each image is meant to impart the idea of something that is hidden.
Weingut Klaus Zimmerling, Saxony, Germany. Winemaker Klaus Zimmerling’s wife, Malgorzata Chodahowska, creates sculptures that are photographed for each vintage’s label. This 2012 bottlings features a sculpture called Nora, which like Chodahowska’s other works, is carved from a single oak trunk. She also designs fountains that are carved from wood and cast in bronze.
Fontanafredda Serralunga d’Alba Riserva Barolo Artist Series, Alba, Italy. The labels on six vintages of this Barolo are designed by Italian artist Ugo Nespolo, released as a vertical boxed set. The bright, pop-art labels grace the 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005 and 2010 vintages.
Jolie-Laide Winery, California. Internationally acclaimed lifestyle photographer Brian Gaberman contributes label art for this winery, named after a French expression that translates to “beautiful ugly.” Gaberman’s photos feature hikers, climbers and skateboarders, which bring a youthful, active attitude to the bottles. The winery changes the label art with each vintage.
Zena Crown Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon. The striking photography and design for Zena Crown’s Pinot Noir received a 2016 Graphic Design USA American Inhouse Design Award. The label captures a feeling of freedom and beauty, via the juxtaposition of contemporary photos with an overlay of technical details. Its aim is to portray an authentic view of Oregon.
Eufloria by Pacific Rim Aromatic Blend, Washington. Artist Flora Bowley’s layering and brushstrokes are meant to convey the complexity of this white blend. Each color enhances the other, and each layer adds depth to this one-of-a-kind work of art.
Woodward Canyon Artist Series Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Washington. Lynda Lowe’s depiction of birds in flight, titled Release, graces the 23rd rendition of the winery’s artist series. Lowe’s artwork is inspired by her travels abroad and nature. Like much of her work, Release is intended to evoke personal reflection.
Botanica Mary Delany Chenin Blanc 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa. British artist Mary Delany created this label’s vibrant and lifelike floral collages during the late 18th century. Her collages were crafted from hundreds of tiny pieces of cut paper. Botanica’s Mary Delany collection is an homage to the artist’s love of nature and dedication to her craft.
