An Aalto anniversary project for wine lovers and fans of design

In 2020, Aalto University celebrates its 10th anniversary while Aalto Bodegas y Viñedos Winery celebrates its 20th anniversary. Due to this coincidence, Associate Vice President of the University Hannu Seristö and winery manager Eduardo Ferrin established a joint project to celebrate the excellence of both organisations.

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.

Aalto University’s Visual Communication Design MA students Kiira Keski-Hakuni and Sanni Wessman were ready to take on the task of designing the package for this unique product. The study project was supervised by lecturer Markus Joutsela.

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.