Label Changes...your help needed!
Although I really liked our label last year, a few people, including Kermit Lynch, thought that it could use some polish. Some people said that it looked homemade, like we printed out the labels on our laser printer. At first I disagreed, but now, a year later, I totally agree. The worst thing is, it wasn't cheap, we weren't trying to cut corners, we truly thought that it was the right paper, design, etc! So here are a couple of new mock-ups, this time, they have been printed on the computer! Just trying to get an idea of what they will look like. So far we are in a dead tie, 50-50, of our friends. What do you think??? Please leave a comment or email me. Matt prefers the square, I prefer the off-set logo. I must admit though that the square one shows much better in these pictures... I'm not saying that the vote will be definitive, but it may help us choose one way or the other!!
I like the one on the right - offset?? - but I think it's too low on the bottle and somehow too small.
P.S. the cour furniture is GREAT!
Posted by: Daddo | June 26, 2007 at 09:52 PM
I like the square better. Also, putting the vintage on the front is a great idea. And the 2005 was great! I have one bottle left.
Posted by: Greg | June 26, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Both look nice. But for the second one, what about making it slightly thicker, so there would be at least a narrow green border above and below the white part?
Posted by: Julian Devlin | June 27, 2007 at 12:14 AM
I prefer the square. You have to roll the bottle to see all of the offset label.
I liked your 2005 and am looking forward to tasting the 2006.
Posted by: PatB | June 27, 2007 at 03:11 AM
Interesting choice. The "offset" one looks a little edgier. The square seems more traditional and, for me, connotes balance. Or, I may just be square.
Posted by: Mark | June 27, 2007 at 03:13 AM
i prefer the one on the right. the one on the left looks so "traditional", whereas the one on the right somehow makes the bottle looks more balanced with the bottle. also liked the 2005 very very much. can't wait to get back to uzès to buy more. or pop by for a visit!
Posted by: doris | June 27, 2007 at 08:18 AM
I think the one on the right is very distinctive, but there seems like too much blank green space which has the effect of overwhelming the design to the left. For pure readability the one on the left is better. Could you ask the designer to put some other text in the green box? Even just one other line would help to make it less monolithic.
Posted by: Dr. Debs | June 27, 2007 at 06:08 PM
I prefer the square, but what do I know about labels on bottles of wine!! You have to consider the "source" on this one. I was more interested in seeing if there were any WEEDS in the herb garden!?!?!?!
Posted by: joan kling | June 28, 2007 at 02:49 AM
I think I like the offset. Reminds me a bit of the Turley label, which is not a bad thing. I agree with Debs that the solid panel needs something else. It's certainly a place where you can put a powerful message.
As long as you're asking, if it was up to me, I would also at least try reducing the size of the vine graphic a good bit, and untether the "la gramiere" from it so that it's full horizontal, not curved. Not that I don't like the graphic, but it's the most noticeable and memorable thing on the label. I think that needs to be the winery name.
Posted by: johng | June 28, 2007 at 04:53 PM
The square one for sure.
Posted by: Baraou | June 28, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Boy, I don't know if this is going to help you in the end. I guess if you end up with a 50-50 vote again it means that both must be good.
I have a slight preference for the offset label personally. It seems slightly more modern, edgey. Obviously your choice also depends on your market positioning. As Americans making wine in France you might want to be careful to avoid appearing too modern? Depends where and to whom you are trying to sell your wine.
En tout cas, bon courage !
Posted by: Lisa Roskam | June 29, 2007 at 04:46 PM
I liked last year's label better than either of these. You have a great graphic and it really worked to have it bold on the label. I suppose it looked like it belonged on a California bottle instead of one from France though. It reminded me of something Goines might come up with for La Gramiere.
If it is between the two above I vote for the one on the right.
Posted by: Tim | July 02, 2007 at 12:41 AM
I prefer the offset one, because it is not the standard solution and, as such, will make the wine stand out a litle bit.
Posted by: jeroen | July 02, 2007 at 09:53 AM
I like the idea of the offset label, but it could do with borders and some more text on the right side.
Posted by: Kristinn | July 02, 2007 at 11:10 PM
I prefer the central label Matt... looking around at the wines locally the better bottles always seem to have a very clear central label... so I think it looks more professional... I'd even say the cheaper wines in the UK always seemed to have the offset label (sharp intake of breathe!)... now of course the UK is definitely NOT the centre of the wine world (hehehehe) but you wanted my views...
Love the logo and love the colours - and let me know when it's out here in Cali!
GMD
Posted by: Gary M Davis | July 03, 2007 at 08:51 PM
Hi guys. Both label designs look good. I own a liquor store in Norman, Oklahoma, USA, and from my perspective the offset one is more dramatic and unique. Furthermore, the uniqueness will make it stand out more effectively in the market place.
Kudos to you both. I very much look forward to visiting next summer.
Posted by: Terence | July 09, 2007 at 05:59 PM
I like the smaller label best. It's a little more eye-catching, in my opinion.
Great blog - I enjoyed reading it!
Posted by: Scott | July 09, 2007 at 07:05 PM
Thierry Allemand's labels--now those look homemade! That doesn't prevent them from costing over $70. These both look nice to me (big help, huh?). Either way, the added green field is a nice touch.
Posted by: Steve Lanum | July 11, 2007 at 06:40 AM