- The document provides summaries of multiple wine label designs created by Rick for various wine brands. - Rick creates refined, understated labels that reflect the winemaking philosophy and quality of the wines through subtle geometric designs, typography and natural textures. - His expertise in design, printing processes and the wine industry allows him to consistently deliver high quality labels on time and on budget.

1. PORTFOLIO

2. C A M B I ATA Wine-
maker Eric Laumann brought in
a b e a u t i f u l b r a n d n a m e , C a m b i ata ,
a n d t w o u n u s u a l S pa n i s h va r i e ta l s —
a l b a r i n o a n d ta n n at. U s e d b y
w e s t e r n c o m p o s e r s a s va r i e d a s J. S.
B a c h a n d J i m i H e n d r i x , t h e N OTA
C A M B I ATA i s a s u b t l e t y s t ru c t u r e d
musical phrase meaningful to Eric.
To mirror the mathematical nature
of sound hidden in the musical no-
t a t i o n, w e u s e d t h e G O L D E N R AT I O
a s i t s g r a p h i c e q u i v a l e n t. Wi t h a n
understated geometric configura-
t i o n a n d f o r m a l t y p e c o n s t r u c t i o n,
the label is a refined analog to
both Eric’s winemaking philosophy
a n d h i s m u s i c a l i n t e r e s t s.

3. “The label has an upscale elegance that
conveys the quality of the wine which
was very important considering the
avant-garde nature of the varietals.
The marketplace feedback on the
C A M B I ATA l a b e l h a s b e e n e x c e l l e n t a n d
there seems to be no tiring or diminish-
ing impact of the label on consumers.
T h e l a b e l’ s s y m b o l s a n d i c o n s h a v e
been effective in generating interest
and discussion in their relation to the
wine and brand conception.
O n a p r a c t i c a l l e v e l , r i c k wa s e a s y t o
w o r k w i t h a n d h i s o u t p u t wa s t i m e ly.
He worked well with the printing compa-
n i e s a n d wa s c o m f o r t a b l e a n d e f f e c t i v e
d u r i n g p r e s s c h e c k s. ”
ERIC LAUMANN
C A M B I ATA

4. Ct aOe Rf O M e n d o c i n o i s t h e f i r s t
ins nc o a C O N T R O L L E D D E N O M I N AT I O N
in America. Seeking to distinguish Mendo-
cino County as a home of fine vineyards
and winemaking, ten different wineries
created a common protocol for a wine
blend that would represent the unique
c h a r a c t e r o f M e n d o c i n o C o u n t y.
Wi t h t h e e n d o r s e m e n t o f t e n d i f f e r e n t
p r o p r i e t o r s, w e c r e a t e d a n a m e a n d a
label that would confirm the cohesion
of the group and the individuality of
e a c h w i n e ry. C O R O m e a n s C H O R U S i n b o t h
Italian and Spanish; a name that signifies
the blending of the varietals into harmo-
nious wines and of the group members
into a unified whole. The label is common
across the line with room for individual
branding, while the Coro chop certifies
e a c h w i n e a s a n o f f i c i a l CORO MENDOCINO.

5. D Xa ry l A nr o o m ’asr k sd itshceo vs peoryt
for D
GG m X
b r a n d. Wi t h h i s l o n g w i n e m a k i n g
h i s t o ry i n C a l i f o r n i a a n d A u s t r a -
l i a , D a ry l i s a b l e t o c h e c k f o r
wines hiding in the cellars of
h i s f r i e n d s a n d a s s o c i at e s, f i n d
g r e at s m a l l - l o t s, a n d b r i n g a
f e w o f t h e b e s t t o m a r k e t.
The label is based on the wine
trade’s common cellar sample
sticker—with added room for
his personal notes and an
authenticating signature. It
i s s i m p l e , f r i e n d l y, a n d m a d e
for wine lovers seeking small,
limited releases and open to un-
common discoveries.

6. Kn Ei cNi sE nFu rIo Cr gK nDfra. rTmoem
Ke ef k a e su eo / r
who loves to work. He tends his
own 125 acres of prime vineyards on
C a l i s t o g a’ s P i c k e t t R o a d a n d s e l l s
grapes to some of the best wineries
i n t h e N a p a Va l l e y.
Backed up under the crags of the
Pa l l i s a d e M o u n t a i n s, T o m wa n t e d
his own estate label to: reflect the
h i g h q u a l i t y o f h i s v i n e y a r d s, s h o w
the dramatic landscape where the
wine comes from, and highlight his
f a m i ly ’ s I r i s h r o o t s.

7. LANCASTER
This established brand had a nice
package that was just missing—a
high-end product that was slightly
undersold by its label. Only a few
small alterations were needed to
bring a more finished presence.
Subtle drop shadows were added
behind the elements, along with an
antiqued edge, more detail to the
lion logo and enhanced embossing.
Better still, with our knowledge of
press efficiencies and consolidated
logistic coordination, these label
enhancements came at a lower price
w i t h h i g h e r p r o d u c t i o n q u a l i t y.
ENHANCED LABEL

8. “a t L A N C A S T E R o u r b r a n d a n d l a b e l w e r e
well established, yet the package seemed
to just fall a little bit short of our posi-
tioning. rick’s close eye brought some
things to our attention that we had over-
l o o k e d ; s m a l l t w e a k s t h at c o u l d ENHANCE
T H E PAC K AG E w i t h o u t r a d i c a l a l t e r a t i o n .
the modifications have been made and the
subtlety of rick’s recommendations and
work raises our brand’s impact without
drawing undue attention to the changes
themselves: they serve the brand and
everything just feels more finished.
in today’s marketplace these small things
can really make a difference with our
trade partners and consumers.
in addition, not only did the label
improve, his in-depth knowledge of print
p r o d u c t i o n a l s o h e l p e d u s REDUCE COSTS:
the result is a higher image package that
costs us less to produce. nothing wrong
with that!”
C H R I S V Y E N I E LO
G E N E R A L M A N AG E R
L A N C A S T E R E S TAT E
ORIGINAL LABEL

9. M wAF Rm a nAaH wa sh cir es -
Bro n- or
I br nd T
ated around Dan Dooling’s
Mariah Vineyard and the high
M E N D O C I N O R I D G E A P P E L L AT I O N —
t h e o n ly a p p e l l a t i o n d e l i n -
eated by altitude, each vine-
yard sits atop this coastal
r i d g e l i k e a s m a l l ISLAND IN
T H E S KY ® w h e r e o l d I t a l i a n
zinfandel vines are fueled
by the sun and cooled by the
l o w p a c i f i c f o g a n d b r e e z e s.
Named for “the wind they
called Mariah”, Dan’s vine-
yards are shown on the label
as cooled by the mythical
b r e at h o f VENT MARIAH a n d
wa r m e d b y a g o l d e n f o i l “ s u n ” .

10. T oHe r s u sMn acl eN iAm Bi nigs
an th
E tai b w ne ak
l e a d t a k e n b y B O N T E R R A V I N E YA R D S .
Having established itself as
C a l i f o r n i a’ s o l d e s t a n d f a v o r i t e
o r g a n i c w i n e b r a n d, B o n t e r r a h a s
r e c e n t ly r e l e a s e d T H E M c N A B t o b e
its flagship biodynamic wine.
The round identifying emblem is
symbolic of the more mysterious
aspects of biodynamic viticulture,
while the small face label keeps
t h e b r a n d m o r e t r a d i t i o n a l ly
g r o u n d e d. T h r e e m i n i m a l e l e m e n t s
a r e s i m p ly c o m p o s e d o n a f i n e ly
t e x t u r e d w o o d c u t f i e l d.

11. Oe sSF Tz eEO sRr aKreen l oa n d -
Ter a et r- te ng
time growers o f CERTIFIED
ORGANIC GRAPES a l o n g t h e p u r e
Russian River headwaters. This
is the estate label for their
R e d w o o d Va l l e y f a m i l y w i n e s .
Ken Oster is a luthier, guitar
player and winemaker with
a German last name that
t r a n s l a t e s t o EASTER— t h e s e
personal particulars led to an
unconventional guitar pick
shape that resembles both an
eccentric O and an Easter egg.
T h e i r i n i t i a l s, T& K s e p a r a t e d b y
a G - c l e f, m a r k t h e l a b e l a n d
c a p s u l e a s t h e i r o w n.

12. PdRe d s i xMnI S nE shoafv i n g
en ur
O lo g mo th
design and production frustra-
t i o n P R O M I S E c a m e t o u s f o r h e l p.
The bare bones of their brand
had been established around the
titanium and gold wedding band
of owner Steve McPherson, and
the personal vow that his ring
represents. They knew what they
needed, but could not find a way
t o c o m p l e t e i t.
T h i s c l e a n, c o n t e m p o r a ry l a b e l
is composed of uncomplicated
f o r m s a n d a u s t e r e t y p o g r a p h y.
Here, engraving creates the
e s s e n c e o f l u x u ry — n o t h i n g b u t
the luster and crisp dimension
of burnished inks on solid black
paper. To supplement this package
we designed a matching engraved
letterhead system and completed
t h e m o d e r n i s t b r a n d i d e n t i t y.
Wi t h e v e r y e l e m e n t e x p o s e d i n
a “simple” design like this one—
t y p o g r a p h y p l a c e m e n t, a n d e x e c u -
tion become critical. There is
simply no place to hide, it must
b e d o n e r i g h t.

13. “I had the good fortune of being
introduced to rick after working
for over six months without find-
ing a workable production method
f o r o u r l a b e l s . We ’ d t r i e d m a n y d i f -
f e r e n t, e x p e n s i v e o p t i o n s a n d w e r e
running out of time and patience.
Rick’s experience, knowledge and
resourcefulness were invaluable to
us.
Th u s fa r , t h e w i n e h a s b e e n r e a l ly
w e l l r e c e i v e d a n d t h e f i n i s h e d pa c k -
a g e h a s r e a l ly i m p r e s s e d o u r c o n s u m -
e r s. I ’ m n o t s u r e h o w w e w o u l d h av e
m a d e i t h e r e w i t h o u t r i c k ’ s h e l p.”
JO DISANTE
PROMISE WINES

14. Rr o m a nSg o dNs sAf i ts hnea mheadr vfeosrt.
a
U I de o
On this label she is represented
by a pre-historic stone carving
of feminine fertility and then
mirrored in the shape formed by a
column of simply centered lines
o f c o p y.
The carving is a simple blind
emboss figure standing on a
white field and enhanced by a
s u p p o r t i n g s h a d o w. T h e b o l d
white and burnt orange columns
have a strong shelf presence
that earned a gold medal for the
p a c k a g e a t T H E LO S A N G E L E S I N T E R N A -
TIONAL WINE & SPIRITS COMPETITION.

15. SrArNi C o f FUz AVRe yYdi ss ’
a e-c eat on
T et er in ar
reserve tier into a new single-
vineyard brand. The contemporary
icon represents: the small special-
ized winery where Dennis Martin
can focus on elevated winemaking,
the singular vineyard sources of
the grapes, and the serene expecta-
tion of a fine wine experience—it‘s
a secular chateau revealed to be
an open physical and spiritual
r e f u g e f r o m t h e o r d i n a r y.
It’s all quietly delivered with
clean san-serif type, muted foil
s t a m p i n g a n d s u r r o u n d e d b y q u i e t,
naturally textured whitespace.

16. There is much more to Rick’s
talent than his keen sense
of design. His in depth knowl-
edge of the wine industry and
understanding of the printing
and production process makes
him a key member of the market-
ing team. This unique combina-
tion of skills allows Rick to
consistently deliver on com-
pany goals and objectives. The
e n d r e s u l t ? S u p e r i o r q u a l i t y,
on time project delivery and
a l w a y s w i t h i n b u d g e t.
TO M D E M P S E Y
N AT I O N A L B R A N D M A N AG E R
B R OW N - F O R M A N W I N E S

17. S O N O M A- C U T R E R is
an iconic California brand with its well-
r e c o g n i z e d RUSSIAN RIVER RANCHES l a b e l — t h e
s h a p e , t h e c u s t o m f o n t, t h e c o l o r , a n d t h e
quirky type background are all distinctive
after a long, twenty-five-year run.
O d d l y, t h e i r F O U N D E R S R E S E R V E l a b e l h a d n o r e c -
ognizable link to the original trademark. And
as a small release in a ceramic-fired bottle, it
had become too expensive and difficult to pro-
duce any longer. Using existing label change
parts, we elevated the iconic label to this
reserve tier using a restrained pallet with
strong recognizable branding.
By combining the production of the chardon-
nay with a new pinot noir label, we were able
to deliver both varietals in a large three-liter
and the small format bottle for less money
than the original chardonnay bottling alone.

18. PORTFOLIO
1435 B BROOKSIDE DRIVE
S A N TA R O S A , C A 9 5 4 0 5
P H O N E 7 07/ 5 6 8 - 6 1 74
FA X 7 07/ 5 6 6 -7 9 4 5
C E L L 7 07/ 2 7 2 - 6 9 0 3
E M A I L R R O E S E @ PAC I F I C . N E T