Bringing our first wine labels to life was one of those moments we’ll never forget – equal parts thrilling, nerve-racking and full of lessons. Until this point, Vyn Dene still remained just an idea, a vision, a collection of barrels and bottles in waiting. But when the labels arrived – two days before our very first event – those bottles coalesced into real wine products for sale. This was our first time designing a wine label, and we were naïve about just how many layers sit between an idea and the finished product. Thankfully, we had two wonderful collaborators in our corner: Jodie Newman, our designer, and Carl Jobling from Berkshire Labels, who printed them. What followed was an intensely collaborative journey full of patience, challenge, and craft.
Starting from Scratch
We went into the process thinking we had some ideas of brands and other labels we liked – but that was about it. Jodie quickly picked up on our uncertainty and guided us through with calm, confident energy.
“I began working in wine back in 2011,” Jodie told us. “After leading an in-house studio for Copestick Murray and later Freixenet, I wanted to create a practice that allowed for greater creativity and flexibility – and to work more closely with the people behind the wines.”
That closeness was exactly what we needed. From the very first call, Jodie made the process feel human and collaborative. “With smaller English brands, it’s all about the people, and the chance to shape (and be part of) their story right from the beginning,” she said.
And shape it she did. Together, we explored colours, textures, typography, and symbology that reflected who we were as a new producer – modern yet grounded, ambitious yet unpretentious.
A Change in Direction
There was a moment, late in the process, when everything seemed finished – the designs were nearly ready for final print copies – but something wasn’t sitting right. We couldn’t quite articulate it, but the excitement wasn’t there.
It was Jodie who called it out. She noticed our hesitation and gently challenged us. That’s where her intuition really showed. Rather than push the project through, she asked the hard question: “Are we sure this is it?”
It wasn’t. And she was right to ask.
We scrapped the entire set of designs and went back to the drawing board, knowing it would set us back weeks. Jodie took it completely in her stride. That single decision changed everything. The new brief came from a place of clarity – and the result, the final label, is something we’re incredibly proud of.
Design Meets Craft
For Jodie, the creative process always starts with listening. “I start by listening to the winemaker’s story, values, and what makes their wine unique,” she said. “From there, I build mood boards and sketches until we find a brand mark that feels right.”
She has an eye for balance – classic cues of quality, with a modern edge. “English wine doesn’t have centuries of tradition weighing it down,” she told us. “That means there’s room for creativity, experimentation, and boldness – both in the wines and the branding.”
That idea resonated deeply with us. It’s the same spirit we bring to our winemaking – rooted in craft, but unafraid to explore.
Enter Carl Jobling: Printing the Vision
After a brief review of market options Jodie brought Carl Jobling from Berkshire Labels up to speed. She looped him in to make sure design and print worked hand-in-hand. “We always prefer to be involved right at the start of a project,” Carl explained. “That way we can discuss materials, finishes, and design techniques to get the most value for money and futureproof the label.”
Carl was as helpful as he was knowledgeable. He guided us through the technical details we didn’t know we needed to consider – from how labels perform in ice buckets to how foils catch the light.
“Jodie is a joy to work with,” he said. “She conveys the client’s brief alongside the look and feel that complement the vineyard’s ethics and style. We then chat through material choices and embellishments that work best within budget.”
It was through those conversations that we saved real money – without compromising the premium look we wanted. “We focused on the foil and emboss areas to get the most value,” Carl explained. “In the end, we settled on some rooftop embossing along with engraving in the block-foiling area to give extra texture and stand-out.”
We were also able to save on setup costs by keeping the technical die-cut consistent across print runs – a small detail that made a big difference.
When the Labels Arrived
Two days before our launch event, the labels finally arrived. The foiling glowed more beautifully than we’d imagined, the colours richer, the texture alive under the fingertips.
It was the first time we’d seen them printed, and after so many months of sketches and PDFs, it felt almost surreal. Everything – from Jodie’s typography choices to Carl’s precise embossing – came together in that moment.
“It was lovely to be involved from initial sketches right through to opening the first bottle with the team,” Jodie told us. And for us, that’s what made it so special: the sense of shared creation.
More Than Just a Label
What struck us most throughout this journey was the care that both Jodie and Carl put into their craft. Neither treated it as a job – they saw it as a shared expression of the wine itself.
Carl put it perfectly: “We understand it’s not just a brand – it’s the life and love of the winemaker. What we produce needs to match the quality of the wine inside the bottle.”
That philosophy mirrors our own approach to winemaking. It’s about connection – between people, between craft disciplines, and between the final bottle and the person who opens it.
Reflections on English Wine and Design
English wine is evolving fast, and so is its visual language. As Jodie said, “A memorable brand mark and label is essential. A striking label that sparks conversation is already half the battle in getting noticed.”
Carl echoed that sentiment: “The label represents what’s in the bottle. A high-performing material and clever design using the best embellishments can be the difference between a ‘wow’ product or just another bottle.”
We couldn’t agree more.
The collaboration with Jodie and Carl wasn’t just about getting our first labels printed – it was about shaping how we express who we are. Their patience, skill, and generosity guided us through every misstep and moment of doubt.
We genuinely couldn’t have done it without them.
A Toast to Collaboration
So, here’s to Jodie Newman and Carl Jobling – and to every designer, printer, and maker helping English wine tell its story beautifully.
Every bottle of Vyn Dene carries not just our name, but the fingerprints of everyone who helped bring it to life. And that’s exactly how it should be.