Field Trip - The Printers!

FINALLY!!!

I can't tell you how long it has taken this year to get our labels!  It seems like an eternity, but finally today I got a call from our printer saying that they were going to print them and that if I wanted to come and check the color, I had to come now!!  Good thing I didn't have anything too important planned.  So I hopped in the car and drove an hour over to Sarrians, which is right by Vacqueyras, to give my OK on the label color.  When I got there it was all set up and it looked to me like they had already printed them, there was a huge roll of them at the far end of the printer.  I asked if they could run them back through to change to the color. No, once they've gone through the machine, that's it.  But this was just the set-up and calibration.  My eyes grew very wide, you mean you're going to throw all of these away???!!! Yup, that's how it's done.  I was, and still am shocked. Next year's project will be to find a printer that uses recycled paper and vegetable based inks.  I asked around a bit this year, and in general people looked at me as if I was speaking a foreign language.  But I'm not going to give up, I'm sure it's out there.

Anyway, the color did need some tweaking, so I'm very glad I drove all the way over there.  I showed the man the color I had in mind and he immediately grabbed the pot of yellow ink and started scooping it into the "ink well" of the press.  I suppose since he does this kind of thing every day, he has a pretty good idea of what is missing, and with just that one adjustment I was satisfied!  I left him to finish his work and about an hour later they were done!  It's very exciting to finally have them, no we are just waiting on the back labels which need to be printed on a different press.  We'll have them next week.  Then we'll embark on the huge task of labeling 11,000 bottles. UGH.

So, I forgot to tell you that we completely changed the label.  Hope you like it!  If not, too late, it's done.  (Sorry about the flash, I couldn't get it to turn out the way I wanted, and I am not patient enough to read the directions on my camera to turn it off !)

Comments

[Mark]

Amy,

I don't remember you saying that you had been a politician in your earlier years. Didn't all your fans around the world vote on your new label? You wooed us with two choices and then just went off and did what you wanted. So much for democracy.

Well, sometimes dictatorship does work. It's a beautiful label! I hope it's a sign that the wine will also be beautiful. Can't wait to try it.

[Dr. Debs]

Amy, I think it's gorgeous! I like it for the same reason that I liked the other one, namely it looks like it was created by William Morris or someone else from the Arts & Crafts movement. Beautiful, distinctive--very nice!

[lagramiere]

Well, it's true Mark, I never said this was a democratic process! Sorry for not letting everyone in on the changes, but this way, it's a surprise! I just wasn't satisfied with the previous ones, I wanted something really different, and with some help from my sister in law, I think we created something really different.

Dr. Debs, thanks so much for the compliment, might seem like we actually know something about the art world, but in reality, it all boils down to wanting a label that is unique! Hopefully it will attract lots of attention on the shelf!

Amy

[Tim Stephens]

I, too, think these look great Amy! I really like the simple tone-on-tone aspect. While I liked the other earlier options too, I definitely think this is the right way to go. They please me for the same reasons Dr.Debs mentioned, which is to say they evoke an A&C feel and a Wm. Morris sense of design -- a time when craftsmanship and artistry were paramount. Well done!

[Williams]

I really like the new design and color. Of course, your blog keeps me dreaming about the vineyard that I own in Uruguay. Keep up the good work. Do they sell your wine in Alaska?