Ottaviano
Deliverables
Brand Identity, Packaging Design, Visual System
Year
2023
Industry
Wine & Spirits
Heritage bottled. Not as nostalgia — as authority.
The Brief
A family winery with eight generations of history needed a brand that could compete on international shelves without abandoning its roots. The problem: how to signal premium quality while preserving authentic Italian character.
The Insight
Italian wine branding defaults to either rustic clichés or cold minimalism. Ottaviano's identity sits between — heraldic without being theatrical, contemporary without erasing centuries of craft.
The System
A custom crest mark anchors the identity — drawn from family archives, simplified for modern reproduction. Typography pairs a refined serif for the wordmark with geometric sans for supporting text. Palette: deep burgundy, cream, and restrained gold accents.
The Detail
The label paper is uncoated, 120gsm. You feel the texture before you see the design. The foil is applied at 60% coverage — enough to catch light, not enough to look cheap.
The Result
Featured in World Brand Design Society. Distribution expanded to three new international markets within six months of launch. The family now uses the crest mark for all business communications — not just wine.
