In 2012, twin brothers Chris and Brandon Matthies launched Sonoma Brothers Distilling, an artisan distillery that focuses on crafting handmade spirits and liquors in small batches. After encountering some early success, they turned to CF Napa Brand Design to redesign the packaging to better communicate the brand story and quality of craftsmanship in each bottle. Facing an increasingly competitive market, the Matthies brothers wanted a branding solution that would immediately tell buyers about their unique product made with small batch quality.
The award-winning design firm incorporated a nostalgic, turn of the century look to give the brand an authentic, and genuinely Sonoma craft feel. They also adjusted the label hierarchy to make the brand name ‘Sonoma Brothers Distilling’ the primary read, allowing for greater readability from behind a bar or on the retail shelf. And to give the brand a more proprietary look, they incorporated an illustration of the two brothers, which better communicates the core of the brand story, and the craftsmen behind the product. Intricate detailing and gold foil treatment elevate the quality perception and communicates the detailed care that goes into the product itself, while a color system differentiates product SKUs, allowing for better product identification with the target consumer.
