Purple Haze

Our latest label at the printer as we speak, and I have to be honest that when Robert Foley (Co-Founder of Neshobe River Winery, and he who will henceforth be referred to simply as “The Professor”) told me that they were going to make a wine called “Purple Haze,” I didn’t want to admit that I wasn’t sure which song that was. I am a bit embarrassed to admit it, because Purple Haze is one of those songs that you always hear people referring to, and until now, I just nodded along like I knew what people were talking about when they spoke about that song. In the interest of making a label that had some sort of relevance to it’s namesake, I did what people do when they are unsure about something…I googled it.

As per usual, Google and YouTube both came through…

As it turns out, I knew the song the whole time. Anyway, with the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock coming up this year, Patrick (the winemaker) and The Professor have come up with a tribute wine in honor of the event. Needless to say, it is called “Purple Haze.”

My approach to label design is mainly based around photos. I tried and tried to come up with something that would convey the feeling of both the song and Woodstock. I made labels with guitars, birds, peace signs, Jimi Hendrix, and every other Woodstocky cliche thing that I could think of, and they were all crap. Finally, after hours of frustration, and more caffeine than any human should ever have at one time, I came up with something.

In addition to being a killer winemaker, Patrick is also a really talented photographer. This past winter, I watched him put on waterproof waders, get into Neshobe River (when it was like negative 300 degrees outsude) and take this photo of the reflections on the river…

I thought that if I turned the picture purple it would look kind of like tye-dye or something (what can I say, I had trouble fully letting go of the cliches), but I think it worked out. So, we have the tye-dye for Woodstock and the River to represent Brandon and the Winery. Im a genius, Yay (sort of…not really).

Anyway, come by the winery, soon Purple Haze will be available to try (and because of the new Vermont wine law, you can do more than try it, you can buy it one glass at a time!), The Professor can tell you why he has that nickname, and Patrick can show you some photos from Vermont, Africa and Hawaii. And while you are there, make sure you tell those two how awesome you think the label is so that I don't get fired. =)

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~ by neshoberiverwinery on May 21, 2009.