And it’s a hat trick!
We are absolutely delighted to be ending this strangest of years on a high by winning of ‘Label of the Year’ at the prestigious UK Packaging Awards – our third award win of 2020.
The winning wood & foil label was created for Ridgeview Estate Winery in the launch of their Ridgeview Oak Reserve NV cuvée to celebrate their 25-year anniversary.
Printed on laminated natural cherry wood material and designed as a visual reference back to the use of oak in the winemaking process.
We caught up with Ridgeview’s Mardi Roberts, Director of Communication, to find out more about this epic project:
Can you provide an overview introduction of Ridgeview?
Named after our gorgeous view of the rolling hills of the South Downs, at Ridgeview we have been crafting classic method wines since 1995. Established near the picturesque village of Ditchling in Sussex, by Mike & Christine Roberts we were one of the first English wineries to prove on an international scale the viability of Southern England as a place of excellence for the production of sparkling wine from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meuiner.
Our second-generation family business was crowned Winemaker of the Year in the ‘International Wine & Spirit Competition’ in 2018 & No. 36 in the ‘Top 50 Worlds’ Best Vineyards. Ridgeview wines have been proudly served at a collection of Royal occasions including to former USA President Barack Obama at Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Ridgeview’s sparkling wines are now exported and enjoyed around the globe.
Can you give a little background into the new product launch?
To mark our 25th Anniversary as pioneers in English sparkling, we launched our first new wine in a decade – Ridgeview Oak Reserve NV. Produced to celebrate Ridgeview’s part in the historical rise of the English sparkling wine industry, the Oak Reserve has an innovative new label design and packaging, highlighting that Ridgeview continues to be a pioneering force in English sparkling wine.
The project especially curated by our Ridgeview Director of Winemaking, Simon Roberts was inspired by his love of subtly oaked sparkling wines. “With careful use of oak-aged Chardonnay, we have created a Ridgeview barrel fermented sparkling wine. Some of the very best Chardonnay grapes were selected from our home vineyard in Ditchling, planted in 1995. I have always loved what delicate oak can bring to Chardonnay and this project has allowed me to explore the additional creaminess from the oak, in harmony with our normal fresh fruit style. We have made a unique batch of 2,600 bottles which I think is one of the most exciting wines that we have released.”
Why did you choose Reflex Label Plus for this project?
We had been chatting to Reflex for quite some time so when we went to quote for this new project, we included Reflex in the tendering process. As we knew this label would be testing technology, Reflex were very helpful in the technical discussions and willing to experiment on new technology as no one had printed multiple foils on such an usual paper texture as the Fasson Cherry Wood. We choose Reflex for their can do and uncompromising attitude on a project that others debated would be possible.
How would you describe your overall experience in working with Reflex Label Plus?
As with all exciting new projects there is an element of testing the boundaries of what is possible. To get to the final label there was bumps along the way with the technology and getting it perfect, the wonderful thing about Reflex is that they were willing to get the project right and understanding that we didn’t want compromises. It was a really great journey together with our designers as it was a project that we all felt very passionate about and are so proud of the results.
What benefits have you seen by using Reflex Label Plus?
What we have seen by using Reflex Label Plus is that by pushing the boundaries of what is possible that we all have a project that we can take immense pride in. What has been wonderful about Reflex is that they are such an enthusiastic company that love to celebrate success. We are also very impressed with the sustainability credentials of Reflex.
Have you had positive feedback in response to the packaging?
We have had an amazing reception to the Ridgeview Oak Reserve – complimenting both the wine and packaging in equal measures. For example, here’s what Ines Salpico, Wine Gang had to say:
“The elegant and tactile label, printed on Fasson Natural Cherry Wood paper, has been turning heads even before the cuvées’s official launch on October 5th. It won the Sparflex English Sparkling Wine Label of the Year in the 2020 Drinks Business Awards and has been the talk-of-the-town both for its design and for the technological challenges involved in printing it”
Do you think the label has contributed to any other positive outcomes for the brand?
The label has had a tremendous impact on sales. Sitting at the high end of English sparkling wines we felt that such a luxurious wine equally deserved a luxurious label. As the Ridgeview Oak Reserve is limited to just 2600 bottles, we have been incredibly overwhelmed with the fantastic popularity of sales in only the limited time it has been released in just under a month. We are sure that incredible awards such as ‘UK Label of the Year’ in the UK Packing Awards – another first for English wine – will only enhance sales in the build up to Christmas.
I think it’s clear to see that everyone involved in this project is extremely proud and pleased with the end result, and being recognised for the hard-work, dedication and craftmanship that goes into producing a label of this quality.
Here’s what Shaun Hanson, Operations Director of Reflex Label Plus had to say:
«When the initial brief came through, we liaised with Ridgeview and Cookchick [the design agency] to make sure we would print exactly how the design intended. We believe an open and collaborative approach from the outset creates the best end result.
Because of the nature of the material, there were some technical challenges. This meant chemistry was a major part if the trials in terms of tweaks to the heat and stamping rate, as these had to be at a very specific level in order to create the desired effect and a sharp black on the wood texture.
We are all delighted with the finished pack and are proud to have created this stunning label with Ridgeview. Its tremendous that this has been recognised by the UK Packaging Awards 2020 as ‘Label of the Year’.
We’re all massively proud. ”
Well, that’s it for the 2020 awards and we’re so happy to be ending on such a high.
Let’s see what 2021 has to bring for our award-winning print!
