by Scott Pillsbury | Nov 23, 2024 | Label Design
At Rose City Label, we believe a wine label does more than identify the bottle—it tells a story, draws the eye, and helps your wine stand out on the shelf. The 2022 Oak Knoll Winery Pinot Gris label, designed for the Portland Rose Festival 2023 Collectors Series, is the perfect example of how great design and precision printing combine to create something unforgettable.
A Collector’s Edition Worth Celebrating
This isn’t just a wine label—it’s a piece of history. Commemorating the iconic Portland Rose Festival, this collector’s edition label celebrates one of the city’s most beloved events. With its bold design and shimmering foil embellishments, it captures the vibrancy of the festival while making the bottle a keepsake for wine lovers and event enthusiasts alike.
Special event labels like this one add a deeper connection to the bottle. They evoke memories, celebrate milestones, and create an emotional tie between the product and its audience. By pairing great wine with a standout collector’s label, Oak Knoll ensures its customers are buying more than wine—they’re buying an experience.
A Label That Pops
This label radiates the vibrant energy of the Portland Rose Festival. The striking design features:
- A glass of Pinot Gris is front and center, with Portland’s iconic skyline in the background.
- Bold, celebratory patterns and vivid colors capture the festive spirit of the event.
- A clear holographic foil embellishment that gives it a sophisticated shimmer, catching light and drawing attention from every angle.
These elements don’t just make the label attractive—they make it unmissable.
How We Brought It to Life
Creating this label took expertise and care. Here’s what went into it:
- Material: Printed on HP006 Bright White Felt for a textured, premium feel that reflects the quality of the wine inside.
- Presses: These are produced using the HP6900 Indigo digital press, Delta, and hot stamping techniques, ensuring vibrant colors and precise finishes.
- Embellishments: The transparent holographic foil adds that wow factor, making the label shine and reinforcing its collectible appeal.
Why Collector’s Edition Labels Matter
Labels like this are more than functional—they’re a way to honor special moments. A collector’s edition label ties your wine to an unforgettable occasion, symbolizing celebration and pride. Customers are drawn to the exclusivity, making your product both desirable and memorable.
Oak Knoll’s Pinot Gris label perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Portland Rose Festival. It’s a testament to their brand, wine, and the Portland Rose Festival.
Let’s create your next showstopper and turn your product into a cherished memory. Whether you’re commemorating a special event or looking to make your wine stand out on the shelf, Rose City Label is here to make it happen! Reach out today!
by Scott Pillsbury | Oct 4, 2024 | Customers/Examples
At Rose City Label, we believe that a wine’s label is just as important as the wine inside the bottle, and Blue Heron French Cheese Company’s Oregon Pinot Gris is a perfect example of what can happen when craftsmanship and creativity come together.
Let’s talk about why this label stands out.
First, the material: We used HP006 Bright White Felt, a textured, premium paper stock that gives the label a rich and tactile feel. You’re greeted with a sense of luxury when you touch the bottle. That texture enhances the overall experience and makes this Pinot Gris even more enticing before you’ve even poured a glass.
Now, the magic of the process: the HP6900 digital press, Delta die cutter, and Newfoil hot stamp press—this trio of printing technology ensures precise, high-quality results. What does that mean for this label? Sharp, detailed lines and rich, true colors. Everything pops with clarity and sophistication, whether it’s the delicate illustration of the heron or the elegant font choices.
Speaking of popping—let’s talk embellishments! We used clear gloss foil and embossing to elevate the design. The foil adds a sleek shine, making the label catch the light beautifully. It creates a high-end feel that draws the eye to the bottle from across the room. And that embossing? It gives the label depth, making the Blue Heron name and the heron illustration feel almost three-dimensional. You can actually feel the craftsmanship with every touch. This attention to detail sets it apart from ordinary wine labels.
In terms of design, the combination of the heron, soft blue tones, and classic typography evokes the coastal serenity of Tillamook, where Blue Heron French Cheese Company calls home. It’s a nod to the natural beauty of Oregon, a place known for its vibrant wine industry.
At Rose City Label, we love creating labels that tell a story, and this one speaks volumes about craftsmanship, elegance, and quality. Every time you pick up a bottle of Blue Heron Oregon Pinot Gris, you’re not just holding wine—you’re holding a piece of art that reflects the essence of both the wine and the region.
That’s why we take so much pride in what we do here at Rose City Label. We know that a well-crafted label like this can enhance the entire wine experience, and Blue Heron’s Pinot Gris is a shining example of how the right materials, press techniques, and embellishments can make a label truly unforgettable.
by Scott Pillsbury | Sep 9, 2024 | Label News
We are beyond excited to announce that Rose City Label has won First Place for Best Classic Design Format in the 2024 PACK Design Awards, hosted by WineBusiness Monthly!
The award was for our work on the stunning label for MB by Momtazi Bachinsky, a biodynamic Pinot Noir from Oregon. This elegant label, designed in collaboration with Rachel at Graphic Lime Creative, showcases the true artistry and attention to detail we pour into every project at Rose City Label. We’ve enjoyed working with Rachel on many projects; her creativity and vision always shine through. Her ability to capture the essence of a brand and translate it into a standout label is unmatched. This partnership allows us to deliver top-notch, award-winning designs for our clients consistently, and we’re proud to work alongside her. Cheers to many more shared successes!
The judges praised this label, calling it “beautiful, simple, and eye-catching,” and commended its pastel plate as one of the best they’ve seen. They also noted how the abstract art, which celebrates the flora and fauna of the vineyard, tells a story—creating an appeal that spans from a formal dinner table to a casual picnic. One judge remarked that the luxurious wax top and overall design make this $25 bottle feel like a much higher-end product. Another pointed out the back label’s attention to farming practices, adding to its credibility and appeal.
“This packaging is pure luxury with the artsy label and wax capsule and would be a standout in a $25 and under section. Other $25 bottles don’t look like this. I like how the back label explains the idea behind the label as well as shares their farming practices which are very important. Sold!”
– Comment from a judge
At Rose City Label, we take immense pride in supporting small businesses—whether they’re wineries, breweries, retailers, or food producers—with labels that tell their stories and help their products stand out on the shelf. This award is a testament to our entire team’s creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication. Every label we create is a team effort, and we love collaborating with amazing brands like Momtazi Bachinsky.
Winning this award reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of label design while staying true to the timeless, classic formats we love. We’re honored to be recognized for this work and look forward to helping more small businesses shine with their packaging.
Here’s to more creative projects and award-winning designs! Cheers!
by Scott Pillsbury | Apr 19, 2024 | Customers/Examples
Background
Division Winemakers Co., co-owned by Kate Norris and Tom Monroe, prides itself on producing quality wines that reflect the uniqueness of the Pacific Northwest. However, the presentation of their wine is just as crucial as the quality for standing out in a crowded marketplace.
Their biggest hurdle was ensuring that their new wine series’ labels matched the wine’s quality inside.
The co-owners were under a tight deadline for bottling and needed vibrant labels aligned with their vision. They were looking for a local, reliable partner who could meet their specific needs with care and precision.
Rose City Label: A Trusted and Local Partner
Referred by a friend, Rose City Label, became a trusted partner to Division Winemakers Co., not just a vendor. The Rose City Label team is known for its high-quality service, meticulous attention to detail, and dedication to local businesses. Rose City Label consistently demonstrates exceptional integrity and a client-first approach, always striving to surpass expectations.
Rose City Label worked closely with Kate and Tom, offering a streamlined process managed by a dedicated client manager, Max. This approach allowed for quick turnaround times and efficient communication while experimenting and implementing changes, such as different paper types and colors, to ensure the final wine label was perfect for their brand.
This human touch was exemplified when Division Winemakers quickly needed labels printed for a new wine series. When a UPS delivery was delayed, Rose City Label went the extra mile. Rose City Label’s Production Manager, Erik, reprinted the lost labels starting at 6 AM on the same day, and the owner, Scott Pillsbury, drove them to the bottling facility in McMinnville, Oregon to ensure they arrived on time.
“He drove it the day it was getting bottled,” said Kate. It demonstrated that this was somebody who cares,” added Tom. This commitment ensured that Division Winemakers Co. met its bottling deadline, avoiding additional costs and potential delays in its product launch.
A Lasting Local Partnership
The partnership between Division Winemakers Co. and Rose City Label led to the successful launch of the new wine series, with the labels perfectly embodying the brand’s quality and vision. This collaboration highlighted the importance of having a reliable, local partner who understands and supports the nuances of a small business’s needs.
By choosing Rose City Label, Division Winemakers Co. avoided the pitfalls of working with larger, less personalized label providers. Scott and his team were proactive and responsive, addressing potential issues promptly and ensuring the project’s success.
“Having a local, family-owned business the size of Rose City is really important to a small business like us, especially in a world of consolidation.”
– Kate Norris
This partnership resulted in the successful launch of a new wine series and reinforced Division Winemakers Co.’s commitment to working with local vendors. It demonstrated the value of personal attention, expertise, and the willingness to go the extra mile. The collaboration with Rose City Label has become a testament to how small businesses can support each other, grow together, and strengthen their community.
The owners summed it up perfectly: “They’re a great, small family-owned business. That’s what we are. It’s nice to have a small family-owned business that listens to your needs, and we can grow together. “
