The back of a wine bottle has a small printable area, typically 80 by 100 millimeters or smaller, that has to carry several federally required elements (the government warning, the sulfite declaration, the net contents) and ideally also the optional storytelling element that gives the bottle character. The space is constrained. The hierarchy matters.
Required elements
The government health warning (verbatim, no abbreviation, in legible type). The sulfite declaration (CONTAINS SULFITES). The net contents in metric (750 ML). The alcohol by volume (typically 13.5% to 14.5%). The producer's address (city, state, and country at minimum). The TTB has specific type-size requirements for each element. Our standard layout meets all of them comfortably.
Optional storytelling
After the required elements, the remaining space, typically 40 to 50 percent of the back label, can carry the producer's note, the family's dedication, the wedding date, or the vintage tasting note. Most of our customers use this space for a short dedication or motto. Some use it for a tasting note signed by the winemaker. The space is small; the words should be chosen with the same restraint as the front label.
Typography
The required elements use Helvetica, the TTB-standard sans serif. The optional elements use the same Cormorant Garamond Italic as the front-label quote line. The contrast between the two typefaces (sans-serif for the federally mandated text, italic serif for the producer's voice) creates a small visual hierarchy that reads as natural rather than cramped. The back label's character emerges from the optional space, not from styling the required elements.
The dedication
FOR JULIA AND FELIPE, ON THEIR WEDDING. THE STREET AT WHICH WE ALL BEGAN. WITH THANKS TO THE FAMILIES WHO RAISED US BOTH. Three lines, italic serif, soft warm ink. The dedication is the bottle's voice. The guest who turns the bottle and reads the dedication has the couple's specific intention addressed to them directly.