Campus pays design group for new wine labels

By Irene Thirlwall

Fresno State students in the department of viticulture and enology are getting a new look for their quality wines.

The wines the students produce have historically won top honors at statewide and international wine competitions.

Monday at the Save Mart Supermarket located at the southeast corner of Willow and Nees, the new labels were unveiled to the public.

“ Our labels were not up to quality,” said Dr. Robert Wample, chair of the department of viticulture and enology and director of the Viticulture and Enology Research Center.

Dr. Daniel Bartell, dean of the college of agricultural science and technology said the new labels will still have the capability to show student artwork.

“Students are our primary focus,” Bartell said. “Showing off what our students can do.”

Paula Sugarman of Sugarman Design Group of Fair Oaks, Calif., who designed the labels, said that it is not just the wines at Fresno State that are getting the new look. Other ag products students produce such as cheese, ice cream, jam, raisins and meat will also be receiving new labeling that the public will recognize as a brand item.

“ It is a great opportunity for students to be proud of their work,” Sugarman said.

Jennifer Garcia, a sophmore majoring in ag communications who works in the Fresno State Winery, said she thinks the labels will give the product a classier, more professional look.

“ I think it is great, it puts us a step up with some of the commercial wineries,” Garcia said.

Winemaster Ken Fugelsang of Fresno State’s winery, who also attended the event, said the new designs will be slightly different for each of the three series of wines the students produce.

The Reserve Series includes award-winning wines of limited release, as well as others that are unique. The Winemaster’s Series includes a selection of classic varietal wines produced by student winemakers.

And The Harvest Series is the third in the series; it is the most popular and widely distributed wine. Tailgate Red is one of the three wines in the Harvest Series and can be found along with most of the other wines at various locations in Fresno.