This SA wine label came second in a global wine design awards

Have you ever bought a wine because of what was on the label? Then you know that wine labels are essential in the world of wine marketing. For a number of years South Africa has hosted its own Wine Label Design Awards, but now one of our wine labels have been recognised internationally.

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The label for Vinoneers’ Orpheus & The Raven has been announced as the runner-up in the international Drinks Business Awards for Best Design & Packaging for Wine. These awards have become the most authoritative and internationally respected badge of achievement in the alcoholic drinks industry. The announcement was made by Drinks Business’ editor-in-chief, Patrick Schmitt (Master of Wine), via a virtual ceremony on Thursday, 1 October.


“With this announcement in place, Orpheus & The Raven can now officially, but humbly, claim to be one of the most beautiful labels in the world of wine,” said Brenden Schwartz, owner of BRAVO Design in Cape Town, which was responsible for the design. The winemaker himself, Etienne Louw, was also very pleased with the result. 

Brenden and Etienne started Vinoneers, the umbrella company for the brand Orpheus & The Raven, in 2010. Each wine in the range features a dramatic hand-drawn, baroque-style sketch in the style of 16th-century German artist Albrecht Dürer, with Orpheus and his sidekick, Raven, depicted on each.

Etienne, whose musical talent is represented with Orpheus and his lyre, says that the label perfectly captures the winemaker’s journey as an artist: “Every label in the range is a unique piece of art and represents the processes required to develop a brand from concept to conclusion, and also the artful transformation from grape to wine.” To date, this artist’s portfolio includes a chenin blanc, the 42 Red Blend, Pinotage Nr. 7 and the Last Swansong Gewürztraminer.