The Volunteer Center of Napa Valley, in conjunction with Balzac Communications and Marketing, has launched the first International Wine Label Design Competition.
The competition is open to any wine label design, including those not currently in production. Invitations to participate have been sent to vintners, graphic designers and graphic design schools around the world. Labels must have been designed in 2009 or 2010.
All proceeds from the competition, which are in the form of submission fees, will go directly to benefit the Volunteer Center. Over the past year, the center has provided an estimated $500,000 in volunteer labor to benefit local non-profit organizations.
Label competition awards will be given for the best label in five different categories:
* Successful Innovation
* Dramatic Graphics
* Classic Style
* Labels Not Currently in Production (must meet ATF guidelines)
* Overall
Entries will be judged on the following criteria: overall originality and creativity, use of typography, and use of graphics.
The roster of international judges includes Paul Wagner, president of Balzac Communications and Marketing, who also is overseeing the contest.
“Label design has become the single leading element in wine marketing for so many wineries and brands,” says Wagner. “It is only appropriate that we recognize the great work that is being done in this field. And it is an honor to serve on a panel with judges of this caliber and level of international expertise.”
Rounding out the team of judges are Pascal Durand, marketing professor at the ENESAD program at the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France; Tim Gaiser, MS, Director of Education, Court of Master Sommeliers Americas; Javier Merino, management and marketing professor at the University of Mendoza, Argentina; Pierpaolo Penco, director at the Executive Master in Wine Business program at MIB School of Management, Trieste, Italy; and Liz Thach, PhD, wine business professor at Sonoma State University.
Certificate awards for the International Wine Label Competition will be mailed after the judging and will consist of gold, silver and bronze awards.
