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Inniskillin introduces new label, the first re-design in 15 years

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Inniskillin, Canada’s first “estate” winery, has undergone a label makeover, the first new design change in 15 years.

“Inniskillin’s philosophy has always been founded upon its commitment to producing outstanding wines from premium Canadian grapes,” said Franco Timpano, director of marketing for Inniskillin. “This was reflected in Inniskillin’s first label, dating back to 1974, and it is our goal to maintain this philosophy in the new design.

“We worked closely with HKA Designs to update the label to combine a sense of elegance with subtle textures and richness, inspired by the texture and quality of our wines,” he said.

The vine and grape icon on the new label is an updated interpretation of the original icon retaining the art nouveau wood cut style.

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The icon is embossed and rendered in metallic gold, pewter, and copper to reflect the status of the wines. The Inniskillin logo and icon are staged on a matte black background to intensify the rich metallic rendering of the icon.

“Inniskillin has a strong and respected status in the wine world, nationally and on a global scale,” said Lynn Keller, creative director, HKA Designs. “This was a primary consideration in the label design, which takes inspiration from key legacy elements of the designs from the late 1970s and early 1980s.”

“While the Inniskillin logo remains arched as it has been historically, it is now simplified, giving a modern feel and strengthening the brand communication on the label.”

VisitWinery_v_12Not only does the new label draw on historical designs, but it draws on the history of Inniskillin itself, telling the story of the brand’s early beginnings in producing outstanding wine, Keller noted.

The label’s Celtic feel is inspired by Inniskillin’s tie to the Irish regiment, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, where serving member Colonel Cooper was granted crown land where the original winery now sits after the wars of the early 1800s. With Inniskillin’s Irish heritage and the design’s entwined curves, resembling the complexity of a grape vine as it matures, the updated label communicates the brand’s deep roots to its history and the growing of fine wine grapes.

The first of the new packaging for Inniskillin’s Estate Collection tier entered the marketplace in September in Ontario at the LCBO, Wine Boutiques, and Wine Rack stores.

As more new vintages are released beginning in spring 2013, Inniskillin will reveal its new ultra premium and luxury tiers.

Here are reviews for the just-released Estate Collection wines from Inniskillin:

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Inniskillin Estate Chardonnay 2011 ($13, LCBO, winery, Wine Rack, 87 points) — Winemaker Bruce Nicholson has a knack for making good wine at all price points. This entry level Chard shows nice citrus, melon and cream notes on the nose. It’s fresh and vibrant on the palate with lemon-lime flavours and a touch of tropical fruit.

Inniskillin Estate Pinot Noir 2011 ($16, LCBO, winery, Wine Rack, 87 points) — A straight-forward Pinot with a nose of cherry, raspberry, cedar and light vanilla oak. It’s nice and smooth on the palate with forward red fruits and just a touch of spice.

Inniskillin Estate Merlot 2010 ($16, LCBO, winery, Wine Rack, 88 points) — A bold, ripe Merlot from the hot 2010 vintage with an expressive note of currants, cassis, red fruits, toasted vanilla and spice. It’s flavour-packed on the palate with bright cherry and currant fruit balanced out by decent acidity and firm tannins. Could even cellar this for a couple of years.