Blandy’s Bual 1920

Design: Omdesign
Location: Portugal
Project Type: Produced
Client: Blandy’s
Product Launch Location: Global
Packaging Contents: Madeira Wine
Packaging Substrate / Materials: Glass bottle, walnut wood, fabric, fine paper, medal of brass
Printing Process: relief, stamping foil, varnish

Blandy’s Bual 1920 is the first wine of “Heritage Wine Collection”, a collection of Madeira wines of Blandy’s, one of the oldest companies of this sector. This edition presents and honors the former generations of Blandy and its legacy, as the last family associated to the genesis of these unique wines.

The first chapter of this series is a Bual of 1920, the first brand’s wine with 100 years of ageing that represents an historical milestone for the company, whose design and production were signed by the Portuguese agency Omdesign.

In 1920, it was John Ernest Blandy who led the company and he is the first family member honored under this collection of Blandy’s special wines that count with an exclusive image, which reflects the uniqueness of these editions. Each launch will pay homage to the family member who, at each time, led the company, and enhances too the life in Madeira Island at that period and its culture and traditions as the place where these rare nectars are born.

Because it was produced in times of great adversity, Blandy’s Bual 1920 is a true tribute to the men and women who worked at the time on the Island and is considered one of the most emblematic wines in the family. Presented to the market in 2020 in just 1,199 individually numbered bottles, for a total of 900 liters, Blandy’s Bual 1920 has a walnut case and a fabric-lined front in earth tones. Omdesign’s inspiration for the texture and color of this piece, which elevates the uniqueness of this edition, comes out from the original registry book of 1920, present at the historical archive of the company. The label in fine paper, that was carefully molded with its own texture created in low relief with the cross of the family’s coat of arms, was manually numbered by a scribe. The selected materials and finishes, as the red and gold stamping and the UV varnish, together with the signature of John Ernest Blandy, attest to the brand’s notoriety and the exclusive character of this first “Heritage Wine Collection” launch. Blandy’s Bual 1920 has too a certificate of authenticity and a booklet, which depicts the entire history and essence of this wine and its company, both in fine paper and whose finishing are in line with the labeling.

The brand’s history is highlighted by the medal that embraces the bottle, through a leather thread, whose design was surgically adapted by Omdesign. Made of brass, with high relief on the front and back, this medal refers to the old Blandy coin, with different values in “réis”, used during the 19th century to replace low value coins, whose circulation was reduced.

With eyes fixed on the next generations, Blandy’s will keep the remaining 840 liters of this wine on stage, as a way to continue to preserve and promote its history, with the past, present and future anchored in doing well and knowing to wait that characterize the company, since 1811.

What’s Unique? Blandy’s Bual 1920 is an important and special launch for the brand since it is the first chapter of “Heritage Wine Collection” and their first wine with 100 years of ageing. With the purpose to pay homage to John Ernest Blandy, the family member who, in 1920, led the company, this wine also aims to be a true tribute to the men and women who worked at the time on the Island.