An awards evening with a difference - hosted at Cavalli on the R544, with design houses being awarded for their originality in label design and this time it included Beer as well as Wine. The gloom of the rain approaching adding a touch of apprehension and excitement to the evening, which was seriously enhanced by the lively host Brandon de Kock. The Grand Prix - which is not always awarded - went to The Vinoneers for their No 42 Orpheus & The Raven 2015, which is a partnership between Etienne Louw, winemaker at Altydgedacht in Durbanville and Brenden Schwartz of Bravo Design. Etienne and Brenden are old friends and the synergy and energy in the label are very evident, and for those Douglas Adams fans, the 42 is of course the answer!There were 44 beer entries and 56 wine entries - judged by a professional panel (5 of them) and then the finalists are put out to the world for the People's Choice - which was awarded to The Drift for their gorgeous poetic series: Gift Horse 2015, Moveable Feast 2014, Penelope MCC 2015, There Are Still Mysteries 2015 - all done by design firm: Penelope Jack/Andrew van der Merwe. No lack of creativity in the Jack family it seems! There were 4 categories for the wine label competition: 1) R80 a bottle or under; 2) over R80 a bottle; 3) R500 a bottle and over and 4) labels forming a series. Judging criteria include originality of concept, execution, shelf appeal and effectiveness as a piece of communication.The judges included Christian Eedes, editor of Winemag.co.za; Bertus Basson, chef and owner of Overture, restaurant in Stellenbosch among others; Rebecca Constable, product developer for wine at Woolworths ; Sean Harrison, non-executive creative director of Whitespace Creative and independent consultant; Margot Janse, outgoing executive chef at Le Quartier Français Hotel in Franschhoek; and Carla Kreuser, independent graphic designer and illustrator. GOLD AWARDSSingle wine selling for over R80 a bottleJason's Hill Beatrix Reserve Chenin Blanc 2016Design firm: FanakaloSingle wine selling for over R80 a bottleThe Vinoneers No. 42 Orpheus & The Raven 2015Design firm: Bravo DesignSingle wine selling for over R500 a bottleJordan Sophia 2013Design firm: Haumann Smal Design StudioSingle wine selling for over R500 a bottleThe Drift There Are Still Mysteries 2015Designers: Penelope Jack/Andrew van der MerweWines in a series – no price constraintsFairview Single Vineyard: Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2014, JakkalsFontein Shiraz 2014, Pegleg Carignan 2014, Primo Pinotage 2015, The Beacon Shiraz 2015Design firm: Jane SaysWines in a series – no price constraintsZandwijk: Unorthodox Kosher Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Unorthodox Kosher Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014Design firm: Brandever (Vancouver, Canada)See Winemag.co.za for more info http://winemag.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/WLDA-2018-Report.pdf