Pardus

THE CHALLENGE
BRINGING THE BRAND PURPOSE TO LIFE

The Leopard’s Leap family vineyard is located in the Franschhoek valley surrounded on all sides by Fynbos-rich mountains that are a critical habitat for indigenous wildlife. Among this wildlife are the Cape Mountain Leopards. The stuff of legends, these apex predators are seldom seen, highly elusive and play a critical part in maintaining the ecological balance of these fynbos-rich habitats.

DESIGN INSPIRATION

With fewer than 500 Cape Mountain Leopards remaining in the the wild today, the WWF placed these free-roaming leopards, otherwise known as the Panthera pardus pardus, on the IUCN Endangered Species List as they are the only large, natural predators that can survive the rugged terrain.

As a long-time sponsor and supporter of local conservation initiative, The Cape Leopard Trust, Leopard’s Leap aims to raise awareness and share inspiration with this premium offering.

DESIGN SOLUTION
ALLOWING THE LEOPARDS TO TELL THEIR STORY

The design concept follows the paths of two of these majestic creatures – Enzo and Nala – leopards that were rehabilitated and relocated to the area, having been fitted with GPS collars.

Caring for animals such as these can prove difficult due to their illusive nature. That’s why tracking their movements is of such vital importance as it helps us gain insight into their daily lives, understand the dangers they face and realise the impact they have on the ecological system.

To highlight this, the design team plotted their individual routes, overlaying them on a map of nature trails surrounding the Leopard’s Leap vineyards; marvelling at how close the leopards pass to humanity and yet remain forever unseen. Luxurious red tissue paper unwraps to reveal a label as subtle and understated as these great cats. The name “Pardus” harkens from the Latin name for leopard with a bold tail in the P linking back to the namesake. Uncoated natural paper offsets metallic embossing. At the bottom, an indicator shows Nala’s path as silver crosses and Enzo’s as gold dots. The layered experience is a brush with the rare and evocative.

RESULT
AN ODE TO THE MYSTERIES OF NATURE

Dark, moody and nocturnal – the packaging showcases the way the leopards move so stealthily through the valley. It captures the allure of these natural, reclusive wonders and raises awareness to the issue of leopard conservation, helping the Cape Leopard Trust to continue the conservation of these illusive creatures, and their offspring, for years to come.