The old and the new: [yellow tail] tweaks after 20 years

The Casella family - the people behind best-selling Australian wine brand [yellow tail] - are not keen on rapid change.

Alterations to [yellow tail] branding and labelling have been minimal since the range was launched back in 2001.

But [yellow tail] has unveiled global plans to refresh its image. 

It marks "the most significant packaging revitalisation since the brand’s launch in 2001, ensuring [yellow tail] remains an easy and relevant choice for consumers worldwide".

When [yellow tail] landed its packaging broke away from the traditional, often serious wine branding of the time, making wine more fun. The ‘Roo’ logo stood out and identified the brand as proudly Australian. 

“Our updated packaging is more than just a fresh look; it reflects our evolution while reaffirming our commitment to quality and approachability,” said Arina Serra, global senior brand manager for [yellow tail]. 

“We’ve retained the elements that our consumers love while refining the details to create an even stronger visual impact on the shelf.”

New communications campaigns will launch in key markets, including the UK, US and Australia.

The rollout for the new packaging, as shown in the old/new image (top) will start in UK and European markets right away, the US and Canada from June, Australia from July and Asia in the final quarter of the year. 

Experts map a new direction for Printhie Dining

Printhie Wines, located at Nashdale, outside Orange in New South Wales, has just given its Printhie Dining restaurant a complete makeover.

The Printhie team has worked with leading chef Justin North and hospitality industry publicist Stephanie Airlie - who work together as AKIN Hospitality - to re-open the eatery "with an exciting change of direction".

"The team has worked closely with the renowned chef Justin North to redefine the restaurant's destination dining experience to reflect the distinct seasonal evolution of Orange and to highlight Printhie's proud connection to this region," the Swift family, owners of Printhie, said on LinkedIn.

"Over the past few months we have been privileged to work with Printhie Wines on a new concept for its on-site restaurant, Printhie Dining," North said.

"With a renewed direction and vision for the restaurant, the unveiling of its new menu is a celebration of contemporary regional dining that offers a connection to place and the distinct seasons of Orange.

"Drawing inspiration from the Swift family’s rich agricultural history spanning four generations in the region, the menu will showcase ingredients sourced directly from the property, regional producers, purveyors and gathered from the surrounding area.

"Together, we have created a new dining experience that features an abundance of high-quality, locally sourced produce."

Printhie Dining opened in 2022 and the wine producer is a member of Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia.

 

“I am honoured to be working alongside the Swift family and passionate Printhie team developing the next evolution of Printhie Dining," says North.

The four-course set menu features a selection of entrées including cured rainbow trout cone

with in-house ponzu and salted cucumber. Other menu highlights include poached Murray

cod and cured pork jowl with anise-myrtle sauce; dry aged duck breast with a pepperberry 

jus and confit leg pressé. 

Fig leaf ice cream and apples cooked in bottle brush syrup picked from the Printhie estate create a standout dessert to finish.

The drinks list has also been updated to feature a selection of cocktails and the wine list has

been extended to include back vintages no longer available to the general public as well as a

selection of European and Australian wines.

The Wine Bar at the cellar door welcomes guests from Wednesday to Sunday, offering

cheese and salumi platters, freshly shucked oysters, and a rotating selection of weekly

seasonal dishes.

Printhie Dining is open for lunch Thursday to Sunday. See https://printhiewines.com.au/dining/ 

Top image: Emily Swift and Justin North

New look, new range for Hunter winery Bimbadgen

For well over four decades Bimbadgen Estate has been one of the "must visit" destinations in the Hunter Valley.

Whether you enjoy a wine tasting, a leisurely vineyard lunch or an open-air concert, Bimbadgen has a reputation for professionalism.

Now winemaker Richard Done and his team have released Bimbadgen's most widely available range with a new look and a new name.

The switch is aimed to refresh the Growers Range to broaden its appeal and more clearly differentiate between the three Bimbadgen wine portfolios.

The Growers Range will showcase Hunter Valley classics - along with new and emerging styles.

The new livery is decorating the 2022 Vermentino, 2022 Rosé and a 2021 Shiraz Cabernet, all of which are priced at a very reasonable $28 per bottle.

Both the vermentino and rosé received gold medals at the 2022 Hunter Valley Wine Show, with the vermentino taking out the trophy for Best Other White Wine.

The very brisk and lively vermentino, a terrific summer thirst quencher, is my definite favourite, followed by the zingy and lively rosé, made from tempranillo grapes. Both should be enjoyed chilled.

Bimbadgen’s Single Vineyard ($45) and Signature ($85) brands continue unchanged.

“We are thrilled to be launching this new look for the Growers Range to showcase our winemaking and the quality of Hunter Valley grapes to a broader consumer market," Done says.

“Growers Range is fresh, fun and approachable, with a price point to match, and this will give us the brand architecture to expand its footprint."

Bimbadgen is owned by property and hospitality group Mulpha which has expanded its Hunter Valley portfolio to include Bimbadgen Palmers Lane and the boutique Emma’s Cottage in Lovedale.

Mulpha general manager Belinda Stapleton, said: "“Bimbadgen is the jewel in the crown of our Hunter Valley portfolio and the launch of this fresh new-look Growers Range will allow us to better illustrate our diversity within the wine portfolio.”

The Growers Range can be purchased at Bimbadgen cellar door and select stockists, as well as at Mulpha stablemates the InterContinental Sydney, Hayman Island and Sanctuary Cove.

New owner gives Skillogalee a new look

 

The new owner of Skillogalee Wines in the Clare Valley has unveiled a new look for the launch of the winery’s 2022 vintage releases. 

Skillogalee’s future releases will feature a new brand identity and packaging.

The 2022 Riesling features a design that reinterprets the contours of the vineyards. 

South Australian-raised owner Simon Clausen, who purchased Skillogalee from the Palmer family in 2021, says the design honours Skillogalee’s rich history of achievement and passion while embracing a new era.

The Clausen family took over the custodianship of Skillogalee in July 2021 from Dave and Diana Palmer.

“We know how much people love Skillogalee and we really treasure that,” Clausen says. “Everyone has a Skillogalee story and this redesign is the next step as Skillogalee continues to evolve and grow.”

The 2022 Riesling is also the first with Skillogalee’s consultant winemaker and Clare Valley icon Kerri (KT) Thompson, at the official helm of the winemaking.

“Skillogalee is a special place to many of us and how lovely it is to be a part of its continued celebration,” she says.

“Our small, dedicated team remain committed to creating delicious wines expressing Skillogalee’s spirit and story and this new release from a cracker vintage is a great place to start.”

The verdict: Floral and citrus aromas lead to tangy grapefruit on the palate, flinty minerality and some zingy acid, along with impressive structure. A winner.   

See www.skillogalee.com.au/

New-look for Taylors Estate wine range

 It is always a calculated risk changing the labels of a tried-and-true wine brand.

Regular consumers become comfortable with a familiar look. 

Clare Valley winery Taylors has given its classic Estate white wines and pinot noir a refreshing new label update - due to land in shops very soon. 

Taylors are good friends of Gourmet on the Road and you can click on their banner advert for more info.

All of the white varietals and pinot noir have undergone a full update with changes to the bottle shapes, brand block design and label, in line with the wider estate portfolio.

“It’s very exciting to be bringing an updated look to our family’s foundation range  - the Estate range represents the Taylors’ house style, delivering exceptional value and consistency with every vintage,” says third-generation managing director Mitchell Taylor.

“The new design conveys the idea of refreshment while giving a modern, crisp feel to our classic look.”

The packaging upgrade, which will appear across all of Taylors key international markets, was designed in collaboration with agency Denomination. The update includes a change to a premium Burgundy bottle for Taylors Estate Chardonnay, Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Pinot Gris and Estate Pinot Noir, with white wines topped with a white-andgold Taylors brand block and white and gold screw cap. 

The white-and-gold finishes will also appear on the Taylors Estate Riesling, which remains in a  traditional Alsace bottle. 

Taylors' innovative ‘Optimum Drinking Temperature Sensors’ will remain as a key feature on the back labels.

Taylors Estate wines are available at most wine retailers for an RRP of $22. www.taylorswines.com.au

A brand-new look for one of Australia's favourite wine ranges

Established in 1849, Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family-owned winery. One of its star turns is the Yalumba Y Series - arguably the best-value range in Australia. 

Yalumba has just launched a new look for its Y Series collection, including a new label design and brand campaign.

The refreshed look is now hitting retail shelves and heroes the distinctive signature letter ‘Y’. 

Made with fruit from a number of South Australian regions, the Yalumba Y Series wines are sustainably produced in "an approachable, medium-bodied style".

Yalumba marketing manager Jacinta Gibson said: “The Y Series features a broad collection of refreshing, fruit-driven wines from a trusted family-owned winery."

“Consumers can confidently explore different varieties in their purest form at an affordable price point.” 

The Yalumba Y Series range has an RRP of $15 a bottle, but can sometimes be found on special.

The collection features 12 red and white wine varieties, including a new wine – Y Series Pinot Noir. 

The new label designs features 12 original pieces of artwork created by South Australian artist Cindy Durant. Each artwork is inspired by her visits to Yalumba and depict a layer of the vineyard, from sun to soil to wind.

All Y Series wines are vegan friendly, gluten free and 100% wild fermented.

For more details see Yalumba.com 

Jacob's Creek goes for new Classic look and a sustainable future

Changing a wine label that consumers easily recognise and are comfortable with can be fraught with danger.

Australia’s No.1. selling wine brand, Jacob’s Creek, has nonetheless gambled on visual refresh to its Classic (entry level) packaging across all formats and varietals.

Designed to reflect a modern Australian style with a nod to the brand’s heritage, the new look is described as "stylish with greater timeless appeal". Most importantly, the new labels still look like those consumers are comfortable with - just a little more modern and colourful.

With a winemaking history dating back over 170 years to the banks of Jacob’s Creek in the Barossa - where Johann Gramp planted his first vines, the new label dials up links to rich history and the brand story.

Premium new colours differentiate between the different varieties, while a new label shape is designed to catches the eye on busy bottle shop shelves.

The refresh is rolling out along with point-of-sale support, as well as print, digital and social media info. 

Not a lot of people know that the Jacob’s Creek logo communicates the story behind Jacob’s Creek. 

The two vine leaves represent the vineyard that Gramp planted on the banks of Jacob’s Creek in 1847. Between the vine leaves flows the creek itself. 

s Creek in 1847. Between the vine leaves flows the creek itself, from it’s humble beginnings to the flourishing 

The refresh also includes the brand’s claim, "committed to sustainability at our winery in Australia"’.

JC's sustainability credentials include being home to the largest combined solar winery installation in Australia and being the first large wine company in Australia to achieve 100% renewable electricity.

The winery aims to minimise waste wherever possible and 99% of solid and organic waste is recycled, winning several awards. 

There is a commitment to carbon net zero by 2030 and Jacob's Creek is also a founding member of the Wildlife for Wine program, a project focused on balancing the environment and viticulture. 

It is also a member of the sustainability program Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. 

See www.jacobscreek.com.au/