Transglass recycled glassware

Thandi Wines: for the people, by the people

While some vineyards work hard for high ratings, others are working to empower individuals. South African-based Thandi Wines wholly embraces the latter. As the first ever all black owned and operated vineyard in the world — not to mention the first Fair Trade-certified vineyard, too — Thandi fights to strengthen previously disadvantaged communities. Read more

Luchador Wines

There are several cool things about this Australian Shiraz, Luchador Wine. The first is obvious: the eye-catching label with its bright illustrative work, imagined by the creative design team, Morning Breath. The comic book-esc feel of the labels turn what could have been ordinary bottles into collectors items. The second great thing about this wine is its name and poster-boy: the Luchador. That’s right, those oh-so-famous Mexican wrestlers. Read more

Esule wine labels by Mash Design

From the cool cats at Mash Design, comes yet another stellar set of creative, fun wine labels. This time around, Mash’s imaginative energy was put towards a series of designs for Red Heads Studio — an inspired collection of fifteen Southern Australian wines that garner impressive reviews worth boasting about. Though Mash is responsible for a number of the Red Heads Studio labels, the comic book like imagery for Esule stands out from the lot. Here, through imaginative illustrations that reflect ‘falling from grace’, the black and white labels convey the story of how two former kings of the wine grape world — Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc — were cast aside as other varieties came into vogue. But whatever the history, for sure Mash’s stylish design coupled with Esule’s strong wine ratings will help this deep, velvety red climb its way back up in the ranks.

Neal’s Yard Dairy

Think of cheese and it’s typically the French or Swiss that come to mind. Not the Brits. Or is it? Thanks to a growing group of talented, enthusiastic, and young artisanal cheesemakers in the UK, it seems Britain is claiming the throne. Of cheese, that is. One place showcasing England’s new energy of cheesemaking is Neal’s Yard Dairy, based in London. Here, the fine work of over 70 organic artisanal cheesemakers is carefully selected from farms through Britain and Ireland. At their Old England style boutique shops, wheels and chunks sit perched, piled upon one other and sorted in the shelves forming a sort of mouldy rind wallpaper. Read more

Yummy Yarn Food Art

Most people crochet hats, gloves, and scarves. Clare Crespo, however, knits oysters on the half shell, hamburgers, sushi, and smoked salmon. Yup, it’s yarn intended to make your mouth water. In her latest collection, Crespo’s creative talent is focused on Mardi Gras, that infamous New Orleans carnival celebrated in her native Louisiana. Traditional, hyper-local eats, like seafood gumbo, beignets, catfish poboys, and soft shell crabs, have made their way into her inventive crocheted ode to the city. Read more

Blasted Church Vineyards

Inventive, quirky, and a creative force in the Canadian wine industry: this is Blasted Church Vineyards. Taking its name and imagery from the true story of a mining era church that was dismantled by dynamite then moved to town where the vineyard now lies, this small estate winery is a true tour de force. The whimsical cartoon like design, originally developed by the cool cats at Vancouver-based marketing and design shop Brandever Strategy, reinvented the vineyard a few years back, turning Blasted Church into one of Canada’s most celebrated wineries. Read more