An Unorthodox kosher prize-winning label

MOIRA SCHNEIDER

Zandwijk wine estate’s label Unorthodox Wines was awarded a gold medal in the Wine Label Series at the fourth annual Wine Label Design Awards for 2018, held in Stellenbosch last Wednesday. This is the first time a kosher product has won such an award.

The winning wines were Zandwijk’s Unorthodox Kosher Sauvignon Blanc 2017 and Unorthodox Kosher Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014.

The awards are hosted by the leading wine publication in South Africa, Winemag.co.za. The competition rewards the best design and packaging for bottled wine made in South Africa. The judging criteria include the originality of the concept, its execution, its shelf appeal and its effectiveness as a tool for communication.

Describing the awards as “groundbreaking” and “the equivalent of a wine label Oscar”, Wayne Sussman, the manager of Unorthodox Wines, added: “What is unique about this is that it’s always been a kosher product, aimed at the kosher community, as opposed to those that become kosher later and then have an impact on the wider market.

“But here there is broad recognition from the wider community that this is remarkable branding.”

Unorthodox Wines has been in existence for 15 months and currently produces dry wines, a sauvignon blanc and a red blend.

“I think what’s unique here is that often with kosher wines, they try and make the label very stately, very French. They run away from the fact that these are kosher wines. Our labels have a very strong attachment to Jewish culture, identity and heritage; I think that’s one of the reasons they caught the eye of the judges.

“This award shows that a well-designed and well branded kosher product can have big crossover appeal,” Sussman concluded.

Said Christian Eedes, the editor of Winemag.co.za: “As a panel, we agreed that conceptually, the label was highly respectful and we liked the intricacy and thoughtfulness of the design and execution.”