The Sara Nelson Design Vault
Strategic insights, professional guidance and even a few tales of caution.
2026 Wine Label Design Trends
Trends don’t happen in a vacuum... They reflect what’s happening with producers, consumers and the culture. In 2026, budgets are tighter. People are drinking differently. They’re looking for connection. And on the shelf, some of the most interesting brands are getting...
TTB Wine Label Requirements & COLAs FAQs
Designing a wine label is only half the job. Before most wines can be sold across state lines, the label must be certified to comply with federal regulations administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). That certification...
2026 Color of the Year: Green Convergence Was Inevitable.
Forbes reached out looking for color experts to explain why Behr, WGSN and Valspar all independently chose green variants for their 2026 Color of the Year picks. I wasn’t surprised. When Chaos Strikes, we surround ourselves with Green Color...
The Rogue Generation: Building Tomorrow’s Economy
Tomorrow's Economy doesn’t need another generic “innovative young entrepreneur.” It needs irreplaceable value that only you can deliver. While their peers are cramming for college entrance exams, one 18-year-old is making serious money installing emergency...
How Faith, Values and Vision are Shaping Modern Brands
Recent years have seen a noticeable shift in how wineries and other businesses integrate values and beliefs into brand identity. What was once a subtle symbol (a fish icon sticker, maybe), has evolved into deeper, more personal expressions of faith. Many owners share...
How to Be Unforgettable at Your Next Trade Show
Trade shows are like a sensory explosion—rows of booths, eye-popping visuals, free swag, and a lot of noise. To stand out, you need a game plan that is more than just flashy displays and stacks of business cards. Let’s break down how you can make your booth the one...
Brand Guidelines: Strengthen Brand; Protect Relationships!
Imagine that you are in a meeting, reviewing a proposed design or marketing piece and something feels off. The colors clash, the tone is terse or the logo is stretched beyond recognition. Now comes the uncomfortable moment: Calling it out. In a situation like this,...
UPC Code Basics: What Wineries Need to Know
Understanding UPC codes is essential in positioning your winery for success.
Why Referrals and Reviews are Priceless
Referrals and Reviews are Priceless
People Don’t Buy Products They Don’t Understand
Younger consumers increasingly look for products to fit fast-paced, casual lifestyles; traditional wine brands often feel intimidating.
From Vineyard to Market: How White Labeling Bridges the Gap
A white-labeled product is produced by one company for other companies to put their own brand on. The goal is to make it look as if they (the final retailer) had made it themselves. It’s a common practice in the wine industry (among others) because it makes sense in...
Website Maintenance that Keeps You Growing
Your website needs regular upkeep to stay healthy and functional…
Innovation: Wine Label Design Trends in 2025
(This article has been updated for 2026.) The wine industry is facing challenges—big challenges. With sales declining and consumers cutting back on wine consumption, wineries are under pressure to adapt. When times are tough, producers must get creative, innovative...
Your $15 Wine Shouldn’t Look Like Your $100 Wine
When you have wines that are substantially different from each other, consider creating tiers that each clearly place them in relation to each other …
Why Smart Vineyard Owners Invest in Branding Early
As a well-positioned vineyard brand becomes increasingly well respected, the value of both its property and its product escalates.
Buying Art Doesn’t Mean You Own Image Usage Rights
…rights with that image are limited.
White Labeling Bridges the Gap between Dreams and Revenue
White Labeling Bridges the Gap between Dreams and Revenue.
Art Director’s Guide to looking good on Camera
Looking Good on Camera
A baker’s dozen simple ways to improve readability
There are things you can do to make your copy easy on the eyes—and the brain—and dramatically improve the chances that your copy will be read
A look inside the color forecasting process
A look inside the color forecasting process…
Beautiful Labels on a Budget
Beautiful labels on a budget…
Why we don’t “design by committee”
Extraordinary concepts are “revisioned” into mediocrity by well-meaning people.
So you want to work for Sara Nelson Design…
…invest AS MUCH in your understanding of business and communication as you do in your design and illustration skills.
Sell Profitable Niche Wines Using Second Labels
You can stay “on brand” while selling highly profitable niche wines using “second labels”.
The Lure of Non-Traditional Wine Bottles—and the Challenges!
Here’s what we’ve learned…
Color Trends versus Color Psychology
Color Trends versus Color Psychology
The importance of protecting your brand
…make sure that your most valuable asset—your BRAND— is truly YOURS