Capturing the essence of Viper’s bugloss – our Snake’s Tongue artistry

“I wish to share with the viewer the endless, ephemeral beauty of plants and hopefully help foster an application of the minutiae of the natural world.”

– Jo Ewing, Botanical artist

Over two decades, Pyramid Valley has developed a cult following and made a home for itself in the hearts of wine lovers, emotionally connected to its spirit, wines and people. As the current caretakers of Pyramid Valley, our vision is to nurture its reputation and build on 20 years of brand love while transforming it into a truly successful and sustainable business.

In 2021, the focus of our label evolution project - note evolution, not revolution - was to refine all the Pyramid Valley brand tiers from the coveted Botanicals Collection to the newly named Pastures and Colours Collections. Our challenge was to imbue the mystique and magic of the wines themselves into the labels, and while doing so, cement them in the global realm of authentic, natural luxury.

Wine labels are all too often removed from the overall producer’s philosophy. Instead, we choose to celebrate the plants that surround the vine in its vineyard. Not only do they add beauty, but we know these plants play an increasingly critical role in creating an energetic, thriving, and connected ecosystem - the foundation for making fine wine.

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, just an hour’s drive south of our Waikari farm, Jo Ewing’s aim as a botanical artist has been to serve both art and science - to study the subject and ensure botanical accuracy while also capturing the essence, and the 'spirit', of the plant on the page. Upon discovering Jo’s passion and approach for this long and honoured tradition, we knew we had found the person to help realise our vision.

Having trained in graphic and industrial design, Jo worked as a landscape designer for fifteen years before falling in love with the art of botanical illustration and painting during a short course in England while travelling in 1987, setting her direction for the next 30 years.

We knew Jo was ‘the one’.

We then set about fostering meaningful connection between artist, vine and wine.

Jo spent hours in our Waikari vineyard sketching her interpretation of the botanical flora that surrounds our vines, getting a sense of the energy of the farm and speaking with our winemaker Huw on the interaction between plants, soils and vines. We shared images of the Viper’s Bugloss – commonly known as Blue Borage – endemic in our Mānatu vineyard, and one she was already very familiar with. What Jo created was more than we could have asked for. The level of detail and colour vibrancy in the central flower as the label hero, supported by the torches appearing in the background perfectly represents the evocatively fruited Snake’s Tongue Pinot Noir, with its Pyramid Valley stamp of energy and freshness. Brighter than the Waikari wines and distinctly Central Otago, but through a Pyramid Valley lens.

Brand & Marketing Manager Pyramid Valley, Smith & Sheth, Lowburn Ferry
Aotearoa New Zealand Fine Wine Estates.

October 2024 celebrates the launch of the second vintage of the Pyramid Valley Snake’s Tongue Pinot Noir, from the spectacular 2022 vintage. For a story of the wine and availability click here.