Marine Layer Wines: An Example of Great Brand Identity

I had a really good glass of Pinot Noir last night from Marine Layer, a winery located in Healdsburg, CA.

I’m a far cry from a wine expert. The wine was great, but what really got my attention was the brand name and visual identity.

Spectacular!

So much so that it inspired me to share my observations.

The “Marine Layer” brand name evokes coastal imagery and even offers a sense of mystery. I’ve never visited a vineyard in California, but it’s what I hope a vineyard located in northern California would feel or be like. Acres on acres of neat rows of vines on green hills enshrouded in mist. I can almost feel a connection to the cool, moist air near the ocean.

There is also a sense of intrigue in the name, which to me is somehow aligned with the world of winemaking. There is a story created in my head that goes well beyond the wine and the bottles. It’s probably about the influence of the sea, which I’ve always associated with the great wines of Europe. I mean, doesn’t a marine layer have an effect on the quality of grapes? I just want to be there.

To me, the name also implies a sense of sophistication and maybe even some of the science of viniculture and the winemaking process. But it’s mostly about the geography and climate.

And the graphics didn’t go unnoticed either. Soft, clean, rich and sophisticated. They are a perfect visual representation of what’s in the bottle.

I’ve probably gone way to far with this; like Hemingway staring into his El Floridita daiquiri and seeing clouds and ships and whatever.

But I love it and commend the team who created this wonderful work (the wine is as delicious as the brand name, fonts and color palette). The entire package goes a long way toward conveying the value that this entire brand experience delivers.