UPM Raflatac, which is labeling a smarter future with its sustainable labeling solutions, recently presented the Gold Beverage Award to Rita Rivotti for her label design for Portuguese winemaker Lés-a-lés at the Pentawards gala at the Guggenheim in New York.

The Pentawards are an internationally respected competition exclusively dedicated to packaging design. By participating in the Pentawards, packaging designers, design students, brand owners and packaging producers from around the world have the opportunity to compare their creations to those from around the world.

Lés-a-lés is born with the intention of recovering old wine grape varieties and styles that are almost extinct in Portugal. This dream of a Portuguese winemaker is a collection of exclusive wines of limited editions. Lés-a-lés is a Portuguese expression meaning “from one end to the other.” This brand represents more than 10 years of traveling across Portugal in search of passionate regions and forgotten castes.

“We thank Pentawards immensely for this award, for the recognition and motivation,” says Rivotti of Rita Rivotti Wine & Design. “This project represents a lot for us, as it evokes the history of ancient winemaking of our country, Portugal. Each wine is a journey, each label is a ticket for the discovery of a forgotten heritage.”

“Just like the finest wines, spirits and craft beverages, the best labels are born of a passion for creating experiences that live long in the memory – and making yours stand out on a crowded shelf is a true art,” says Lee Walker-Quinn, global director, business development, Wine, Spirits & Craft Beverage, UPM Raflatac. “UPM Raflatac partnered with the Pentawards because championing innovative design is a key strategic focus for our brand. Congratulations to Lés-a-lés for investing as much care and craft into what goes on the outside of their bottle as their wines within.”

UPM Raflatac’s label experts also moderated a panel on the Future of Packaging Design at the Pentawards Conferences in both New York and London. Walker-Quinn and Stefano Pistoni, manager, Wine, Spirits & Craft Beverage, UPM Raflatac, were joined by a who’s-who of packaging industry experts to discuss sustainability, technologies, trends, collaboration and more.