Vannatta Winery—Turning Wine into Art

Crafting an unforgettable visual experience through wine labels and mural art.

Project Overview

Vannatta Winery, nestled on bustling Grantline Road in Elk Grove, specializes in hand-crafted, small-lot wines of exceptional quality. It’s an intimate, cozy spot perfect for locals seeking a peaceful escape, celebrations like birthdays or bachelorette parties, or curious passers-by intrigued by the charming space. Before our collaboration, their wine labels were minimalist—plain black labels with just the essential information. Functional, sure, but not something you'd remember at first glance.

Steve, the winery's owner, has always appreciated art and previously featured original pieces by local artists in his tasting room. But he knew there was potential to elevate his brand visually and attract new eyes—and taste buds—through more artistic wine labels and a striking mural. That’s where our journey together began.

Creative Process

Each wine release became a creative adventure. Steve trusted me completely, allowing me total artistic freedom, which I genuinely appreciated. I carefully matched my original paintings to the flavors and personalities of each wine, capturing their unique character. After creating and digitizing each original painting for the labels, the physical artwork would then hang in the winery, maintaining a beautiful continuity between the wine and the tasting room.

For the mural, I took inspiration from the bottles themselves and imagined something that would beautifully embody the spirit of the winery—a large bottle of their White Blend pouring elegantly into two glasses, the flowing wine forming a heart. I presented the sketch to Steve, who immediately gave the green light. The mural itself was painted during hot summer mornings to avoid heat waves and business hours. Though challenging, it was incredibly rewarding. Some of our most memorable moments included hosting special release events like our "All Black & White Attire" evenings and sip-and-paint classes, where wine, art, and community joyfully intersected.

Steve was thinking for awhile—he wanted to refresh and upgrade his wine labels to better match the sophisticated, high-quality wines he produced. He knew from experience that art had the power to create buzz, build deeper connections with customers, and bring fresh attention to his winery.

Our collaboration started organically: I initially reached out just to showcase my paintings inside his tasting room. The paintings quickly resonated with customers, leading Steve to ask if we could use one of them for his upcoming Cabernet, naming it "Black Inertia." This success naturally evolved into an ongoing creative partnership. Soon, we weren't just hanging art—we were creating a brand around it. Two years in, it was only natural to take the next step: a large, vibrant mural.

Approach

The Outcome

The mural became an immediate focal point, featuring vibrant reds and deep yellows cascading from the wine bottle into a heart, perfectly symbolizing the love and craftsmanship poured into every glass. The wine labels, each an original artwork, transformed Vannatta’s bottles into collectible pieces, visually matching the quality and character of their wines.

Customers were thrilled—often remarking how the labels elevated their wine experience. It was incredibly humbling (and a little surreal!) when customers asked me to autograph bottles. Seeing my artwork prominently displayed in the winery and featured at big tasting events was deeply gratifying, especially as my first-ever winery collaboration. Steve’s satisfaction and excitement mirrored my own, strengthening our professional bond and personal friendship.

The Impact

This collaboration didn't just beautify Vannatta Winery; it increased their visibility, helping them stand out both locally and regionally. In fact, Steve’s top-notch Syrah, featuring my label artwork, won a prestigious award at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Although Steve had earned accolades before, combining exceptional wine with distinctive art took their presence to another level, encouraging Steve to focus more intentionally on art and aesthetics in future projects.

Professionally, this collaboration opened new doors for me as an artist. Soon after, I began working with other wineries, such as Seis Soles, creating labels inspired by my artwork. Chris from Seis Soles even reached out about a possible mural for their Orange County location, highlighting how far-reaching this one initial collaboration became. Locally, wineries in Lodi, like Felicita, have expressed interest, drawn by the unique blend of art and branding I've brought to Vannatta.

Beyond professional growth, the project deepened my appreciation for the transformative power of art within local businesses, strengthening communities and elevating brands one label—and mural—at a time.

Owner (in middle): Steve Vannatta

Contact Me for Mural Projects

Reach out to discuss your mural project process and ideas.