Update: The 2021 Label Design Awards for Wine, Beer and Spirits

The annual Label Design Awards for Wine, Beer, and Spirits will take place in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Founded in 2015, the competition seeks to reward outstanding design as an influence on wine, beer, and spirit purchases – entries for this year’s awards open on 1 October 2021, and all South African wine, beer, and spirit producers as well as design studios are invited to participate.

The awards are proudly sponsored by self-adhesive label supplier Rotolabel and are convened by Winemag.co.za. Self-adhesive label supplier Rotolabel has been associated with this initiative since inception, and we subsequently welcomed Avery Dennison, Synchron, and Kemtek HP Indigo as secondary sponsors.

Wines will be judged in four categories: 1) under R80 a bottle; 2) over R80 a bottle; 3) over R500 a bottle and 4) labels forming a series – no price constraints.

Beers will be judged in two categories: 1) single labels and 2) labels forming a series.

Spirits will be judged in two categories: 1) single labels and 2) labels forming a series.

Judging criteria include originality of concept, execution, shelf appeal, and effectiveness as a piece of communication. Judges are drawn from the graphic design community, liquor trade, and media.

Wine, beer, and spirits must be produced in South Africa; commercially available; and the minimum stock requirement is 50 six-bottle cases. Each entry must be accompanied by a 150-word creative rationale.

The entry kit will be available on Winemag.co.za from 1 October and the closing date for entries is 3 November.

After official judging, finalists will then be displayed on Winemag.co.za from 15 to 24 November to allow for consumer voting to determine the People’s Choice Award. The winners will be announced on Friday 3 December.

To view last year’s winning work, click here.