Saturday, November 29, 2014

Dave Phinney Winemaker - Marketing Maven or Madman

Dave Phinney Winemaker - Marketing Maven or Madman

I've written several times in this blog about imaginative and unusual marketing and branding concepts of various wine producers such as Dave Phinney of Orin Swift and the Marilyn Merlot Series from Nova Wines.  So, imagine my surprise when I traced this latest label discovery back to him. In my continuing study of wine labeling and branding, I found perhaps the most unusual wine label yet, Fittings Grenache. I didn't think it could get more bizarre until upon researching the label I discovered it was the work of Dave Phinney. I can't imagine what he was thinking when selecting the artwork for this label. It features a collection of plumbing connecting pipes, and not necessarily new bright and shiny ones. Its nice to see folks who have a sense of humor. You decide.

In fairness to Mr Phinney, it is not apparent that he claims attribution to the wine or the brand. The IGP Cotes Catalanes Rousillion wine is identified as being the product of a rather obscure source, bottled by Sarl H and Co. in Maury, France, in the Pyrenees near the border with Spain. The wine is brought to and distributed in the US by distributor Vanguard Wines of Columbus, Ohio. They distribute many well known labels including some of our favorites such as Lewis Cellars in addition to Orin Swift wines. Several merchants and restaurants attribute this wine to Mr. Phinney.