A designer’s dream is when a long standing client of some 28 years calls to ask you to produce packaging and marketing material for an ultra premium $300 wine.

It began around a long lunch between the Balnaves and the Redman families talking about their mutual heritage in William Wilson. Both families are direct descendants and both make fabulous Coonawarra wine. So they decided to join forces and make something very special to commemorate their joint heritage and release it in the 200th year since his birth.

The wine was made in the traditional old style using 55% Redman Shiraz and 45% Balnaves Cabernet Sauvignon.

Limited to only 250 cases, we set about researching and designing something special to befit this amazing wine and reveal the interesting story.

The imported bottle under cork was waxed sealed, label printed and beautifully crafted with all the embellishments and each bottle housed in an elaborate single bottle box with the story printed inside the lid and the family tree on the base.

As William Wilson was born in Scotland, it was only fitting that the wine was launched at the recent Coonawarra Cabernet celebrations in the old cemetery where he is buried. Accompanied by Doug Balnaves on the bagpipes and Winnie Redman’s superb haggis, it was a duly appropriate affair… and the wine is something to seriously behold. 

Well done William for settling in Penola and starting the ball rolling and well done to the Balnaves and Redman families for undertaking such an inspirational journey and allowing us to be part of it.

Published:
WBM: Wine Business Magazine
October 2018