Estudio Maba's Codice: A Timeless Wine Bottle Design

Reviving Classic Artistry in Modern Packaging

Estudio Maba, a renowned design firm, has breathed new life into the classic universe of design with their latest creation, Codice. This wine bottle design is a timeless piece that captures the essence of the brand's history while offering a fresh, modern appeal. The design is inspired by the Codices, ancient manuscripts that existed before the invention of the printing press. These manuscripts were known for their capitular letters, which were works of art in themselves.

The Codice design is unique in its ability to capture the meaning of its name. The label, embossed and stamped on a Bordeaux bottle, is a page ripped from an old code filled with symbols from the winery. The bottle is wrapped in a sealed vegetal paper, inviting the user to interact with the packaging by breaking the seal to discover its content.

Creating the Codice design required extensive research into ancient code books to understand their style and the hierarchy of their elements. This research was crucial in carrying out the illustrations that adorn the bottle and its packaging. The design team, led by Beatriz Suárez and including Miguel Angel del Baño, Jose Lorente, Borja Torres, and La Industrial, worked on this project from June 2019 to January 2020.

The Codice design is not just a wine bottle, but a sensory experience. The embossed drop cap letters build a delicate and tactile label surface, almost sculpted on paper. The outer packaging features a large illustration that describes the vintage and the elements of the family heraldic shield, in a classic and colorful narrative. This narrative is gradually discovered by the user, adding an element of surprise and engagement to the design.

Estudio Maba's Codice design has been recognized for its excellence, winning the Golden A' Packaging Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is granted to outstanding and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics. The Codice design is a testament to Estudio Maba's ability to innovate and push the boundaries of design.

As we move forward, designs like Codice remind us of the importance of merging the old with the new, of respecting history while embracing innovation. It's a testament to the power of design to not only serve a functional purpose but to tell a story, to engage, and to create an experience that goes beyond the product itself.