Local winery updates design, packaging for alcohol-removed wines
New label features a lighter design with botanical illustrations, packaging now includes screwcap closure
– J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines has unveiled a new brand identity and packaging for its alcohol-removed wine brand, Ariel Vineyards. The updated design reflects a shift in the growing demand for premium non-alcoholic wines, including chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.
The new label features a lighter design with botanical illustrations, and the packaging now includes a lightweight bottle and screwcap closure. A QR code on the back of each bottle provides additional information about Ariel’s history and its process of producing premium alcohol-removed wine.
Ariel Vineyards uses a patented reverse osmosis technique developed by the winery to remove alcohol while preserving the natural flavors of the wine.
“Ariel Vineyards was born out of a need for quality non-alcoholic wine options, which were nearly impossible to find in the 1980s,” said Jerry Lohr, founder of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. “Leveraging our expertise in crafting some of the finest cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay from Paso Robles and Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco, we developed a patented process that delivers a premium wine experience without the alcohol.”
The non-alcoholic beverage category has seen strong growth in recent years. According to the International Wine & Spirits Record, no-alcohol wine sales in the U.S. grew 18% in 2023 over 2022. Studies also show that Gen Z is drinking 20% less alcohol compared to previous generations at the same age, according to a press release from the winery.
Ariel Vineyards produces cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay sourced from J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines’ estate vineyards across the Central Coast. Both wines are made under the guidance of Steve Peck, vice president of winemaking.
Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon is described as having flavors of black currants, cherries, and chocolate, with a dry finish and a hint of oak. Ariel Chardonnay features tropical fruit flavors and a combination of apple and butterscotch notes, along with a toasty oak bouquet. Both wines are gluten-free and contain about one-third of the calories of traditional wines with alcohol.
Ariel Vineyards wines are distributed nationally and internationally. The updated packaging will be available to retailers, restaurants, and online at jlohr.com/arielvineyards in the first quarter of 2025.
More information is available at jlohr.com.
