Who says you can’t choose a wine based on the label? We certainly don’t! In fact each year we can’t wait to see the thousands of entries for the WineMaker label contest. Ranging from the simple, elegant and austere to the wild, wacky and whimsical, we had a great time choosing which would be this year’s best.
While the competition was certainly fierce (we loved them all!) we somehow narrowed it down to a Grand Prize winner with a love for all things Gorey (as in Edward), a goofy Gold-winning Gewürztraminer, a Silver from “St. Somewhere,” and a Bronze winner with a wild side. Congratulations to all!
GRAND PRIZE
David and Nina Richter
Seattle, Washington
David and Nina named their 2005 blend of Cabernet, Cab Franc and Merlot as a tongue-in-cheek way of reflecting a wine that is “anything but” — since “plonk” is British slang for cheap wine. They based the label’s design and font on the work of “The Gashlycrumb Tinies“ by Edward Gorey.
PRIZES: Gift certificate from Grape and Granary; Yeast coupons from White Labs, Inc.; Wine kit from Winexpert, Inc.; Wine kit from Lakeside Wines; Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply; Gift Certificate from Original Home Brew Outlet
GOLD
Aimee Demaret
Vancouver, Washington
Aimee says this label for her 2006 Gewürztraminer was designed for her husband Rick who is, “a dead ringer” for the bald, smiling cartoon man.
PRIZES: Gift certificate from Bader Beer & Wine Supply, Inc.; Yakima Chardonnay wine kit from Cellar Craft International; Yeast coupons from White Labs, Inc.; Wine kit from Winexpert, Inc.; Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
SILVER
Brian Hoffmann
Madison, Wisconsin
Brian says he designed this label when his wife “finally” decided to make her own wine, which turned out to be tropical tasting. Named for a Jimmy Buffett song, St. Somewhere’s original artwork was inspired by the couple’s love of scuba diving since they are “always looking for a St. Somewhere of our very own.”
PRIZES: Wine bottle tree from BrewCitySupplies.com; Yeast coupons from White Labs, Inc.; Wine kit from Winexpert, Inc.; Wine kit from Lakeside Wines; Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
BRONZE
Romona Ellison
Houston, Texas
Romona says her favorite inspirations for labels come from nature — especially animals, fish and flowers. We fell for her trio of pastel zebras, which she adapted from preexisting images, that reflect the wild feeling of South Africa.
PRIZES: Gift certificate from Fine Vine Wines; Hat & T-shirt from White Labs, Inc.; Wine kit from Winexpert, Inc.; Corks and plastic spoons from The Flying Barrel; Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
HONORABLE MENTION
Barbara Bentley
Walnut Creek, California
PRIZE: Refractometer from Grapestompers.com
J.J. Hutzenbiler
Billings, Montana
PRIZE: Gift certificate from
Fine Vine Wines
Gerhard Weiner
Paso Robles, California
PRIZE: Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
Chris Kalnick
Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
PRIZE: Gift certificate from Wine & Beer Emporium
Johanna Kraemer
Calgary, Alberta
PRIZE: Wine kit from Winexpert, Inc.
Tim Gerst
Boynton Beach, Florida
PRIZE: Sweatshirt from White Labs, Inc.
D.D. Smith
Gold River, California
PRIZE: Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
Jean Kelly
Seattle, Washington
PRIZE: Hat & T-shirt from
White Labs, Inc.
Kendall Pavan
Acton, Massachusetts
PRIZE: Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
Malcolm McQueen
San Antonio, Texas
PRIZE: Gift certificate from
Fine Vine Wines
Michelle Rasmussen
Cleveland, Ohio
PRIZE: Bottle drying tree from
The Pumphouse
Stephan Dalyai
Playa Vista, California
PRIZE: Gift certificate from
Fine Vine Wines
Mark Bequette
Sequim, Washington
PRIZE: Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
Laraine Willkie
Bellingham, Washington
PRIZE: Gift certificate from Bader Beer & Wine Supply, Inc.
Martha Adams
Sodus, New York
PRIZE: Gift certificate from Quality Wine and Ale Supply
Michael Kozak
Aston, Pennsylvania
PRIZE: Gilda hand corker from Rubino’s Homemade
Wine & Beer Supply
Shane Morris
Dearborn, Michigan
PRIZE: Gift certificate from
Harrington Press & Winemaking
& Homebrew Supplies
Mike Morrissey
Valley City, North Dakota
PRIZE: Gift certificate from High Gravity Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies
Hundreds of home wine labels were entered in WineMaker’s 22nd Annual Label Contest. We share all of the winning labels that make the bottles look as good as the wine inside tastes.
