Aalto anniversary project for wine lovers and fans of design

As part of Aalto University’s 10th anniversary celebrations, VCD MA students Kiira Keski-Hakuni and Sanni Wessman collaborated with a Spanish winery in the design of their 20th anniversary wine package. Incidentally the winery is also called Aalto.

On the occasion of its anniversary, the Aalto Winery launched a special edition wine consisting of 450 unique bottles. This three-litre edition draws on wine from a selection of six 225-litre barrels from different vintages. The unique collector product needed special packaging symbolising the passion for the earth, modernity and design — which characterise both the University and the winery.

RESPECTING THE ROOTS

The students visited Aalto Winery and studied the process of wine making and the beautiful winery itself, the area and landscape as well as the winery’s core values.

The final concept focuses on Aalto Winery’s roots and how the process of wine making starts from respecting the area, the soil and the seasons. The river Duero is a key element and a lifeline for the vineyards. These elements can be seen in the packaging concept, which also conveys a strong message of craftmanship.

The students explored how a package can be interpreted as a piece of art, while at the same time protecting the product inside. The package resembles a sculpture and thus encourages the end-user to treat it as a unique masterpiece.

The students wanted to make ecological material and production choices and discovered a novel and interesting wood-based MDF panel FORESCOLOR as their main material for the package. The panel is thick and does not break easily, it protects the product from humidity and can be crafted with cnc-milling and a circular saw.

This celebratory product and its package form a rare design piece for wine collectors. It truly disrupts the way wine packaging, transport and storage are traditionally perceived — giving a surprising and contemporary touch for the traditional wine industry.

Package design:
Sanni Wessman and Kiira Keski-Hakuni

3D-modeling:
Juho Huovinen

Workshop masters:
Janne Ojala, Hannu Paajanen, Mikko Ristimäki, Tatu Vuorio

The work was created under supervision of lecturer Markus Joutsela

Special thanks to Eduardo Ferrin from Aalto Winery.