SignEdge: Freakshow Wine Label

In the United States, as in many countries around the world, we have a robust marketing estate that hires some of the best minds to create advertisements that will attract our attention and hopefully motivate us to purchase their particular service or product.

I fully appreciate and understand that there are some down sides to our focus, some would say extreme focus, on advertising and marketing. There is, however, at least one important advantage and that is the unleashing of creative talent.

There are a multitude of creative, innovative and beautiful works of art masquerading amidst the advertising abundance we see on a daily basis. I intend to present some of those images I believe showcase this talent and artistic vision even when used for the mundane purpose of marketing.

JBRish.com’s new category SignEdge will present some of my choices and I hope you will feel free to send me your selections of great art in advertising and marketing either in a comment below or via email: jeff AT jbrish DOT com

To begin, let me share with you one of my recent finds:

Freakshow Wine Label created by Lodi, CA artist Ben Moren

Freakshow Wine Label
Picture Courtesy of Wine Openers See LARGER image HERE:

Freakshow is a product of Michael David Winery and is a full-bodied and quite delightful Cabernet. Needless to say, the label is an attention grabber and I believe I read somewhere that it is the largest, non-repeating wine label ever created. If you look at it carefully, you will note that the scene follows completely along the curvature of the bottle.

While this is a story about the artwork and the label, I recognize that some of you may now be interested in finding out more about the wine. Here is one typical review by Dennis Sodomkaof the August Chronicle

“The Freakshow label pays homage to oldtime freak shows found in carnivals with a label that looks like the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band album. You could spend a long time exploring the oddities on the label.

I would rather drink the wine, because it is a treat.

In the glass it is a beautiful deep-purple color, with pleasant aromas of plums, licorice and cedar. With the first sip, the fruit explodes in your mouth; there is no restraint, no waiting for the wine to open. I tasted black cherry, plum and a hint of spice. It has a medium finish and very little dropoff in flavor. We finished the bottle two days after opening it, and it still was bright and full of ripe fruit.”

According to Benito’s Wine Review the following people appear on the label:

  • Fedor Jeftichew known as Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy
  • 8’3″ Canadian giant Edouard Beaupré
  • conjoined twins Daisy & Violet Hilton
  • I suspect Harry Houdini is also included along with a dancing bear, a bearded lady and a tattooed lady

*If you can identify any others with appropriate verification, let me know and I will include them in the list.

 
See previous SignEdge posts HERE
Just for SignEdge wine or beer labels HERE

19 thoughts on “SignEdge: Freakshow Wine Label

  • May 21, 2017 at 7:40 am
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    Hello
    Love the art labels for Freak Show ! Is there any where you can buy a print of these designs ?

    Reply
    • May 24, 2017 at 4:13 pm
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      I really don’t know the answer to that question. This label has received lots of interest so I wouldn’t be surprised if the company hasn’t monetized it. You should check with the vineyard to find out. I am glad you enjoyed the post! – Jeff

      Reply
  • March 17, 2019 at 11:41 am
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    On the lower left hand side, one can see a reference to The Police’s album “Ghost in the machine”.

    Reply
    • March 17, 2019 at 12:41 pm
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      Perhaps you mean the “right-hand” side. I really don’t see it. Are you thinking of the red markings on the shoulder of the policeman? They don’t look that similar to me, but I am not an expert. – JBRish

      Reply
    • September 6, 2021 at 5:30 pm
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      yes! I noticed Ghost in The Machine right away. Also, there are blocks stacked up below that figure that spell ABACAB. This is a Genesis album and single. Furthermore, if you look up towards the top on that side, you will see the old man carrying a bundle of sticks from Led Zeppelin IV. This is the album with Stairway to Heaven. I’m still looking for more. Love this label and the wine is good too.

      Reply
      • September 7, 2021 at 9:10 am
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        This is the power of crowd sourcing and the Internet. I had no idea what Ghost in The Machine was referring to until I Googled it. Yes, the wine is good and the label is intriguing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. It is interesting how this post can go for months without any attention and then a comment will come through!

        Regards,

        J. Ross

        Reply
  • April 8, 2019 at 9:59 pm
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    The name of the artist was BEN MORENO, originally from Los Angeles, living in Lodi.

    He passed away after a battle with cancer at the end of November.

    Reply
    • April 9, 2019 at 7:42 am
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      I appreciate having this information. Thank you for taking the time to submit it! – JBRish

      Reply
  • October 6, 2019 at 7:52 pm
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    One can clearly see Charlie Chaplin on the label

    Reply
    • October 9, 2019 at 10:12 am
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      Yes, I can see it now that you mention it. He is pictured directly to the left of the left-hand ribbon. Thanks for taking the time to submit your find! – JBRish.com

      Reply
      • November 21, 2022 at 9:40 am
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        The first song reference I noticed is at the bottom of the ticket below the barcode. 867-5309/Jenny by Tommy Tutone.

        Reply
        • November 21, 2022 at 11:02 am
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          Are you “talking about” the gov’t warning label on top of the picture? I don’t see anything around the actual barcode. Any chance of a screenshot highlighting the information you mention?

          [ Jeff ]

          Reply
          • November 21, 2022 at 2:47 pm
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            Yes. It’s on the warning label made to look like a show ticket. 867-5309 is at the bottom in red.

    • March 1, 2021 at 7:37 am
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      Seth, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. It seems that you are somewhat of an expert regarding the magicians so I acknowledge your expertise! Thank you! – JBRish

      Reply
  • April 22, 2021 at 8:49 pm
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    I had the privilege of speaking to Ben after being introduced by a mutual friend. He was a huge music fan and included a few homages to his love for music in the label. There is the Ghost In The Machine tribute as noted. As well as the Genesis Abacab, with the wood blocks. It’s a shame he passed away.

    Reply
    • April 24, 2021 at 8:42 am
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      Rex:

      Thank you for taking time to help add to the history and mystery of the Freakshow label. It is certainly an imaginative work of art. It continues to demonstrate how the “we” is smarter than than the “me!”

      Reply
    • September 6, 2021 at 5:48 pm
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      I also noticed Aqualung from Jethro Tull. It is a shame that he passed away. It seems that he and I had similar tastes in music. I have all of these albums on vinyl. Great artist.

      Reply
      • September 7, 2021 at 9:12 am
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        Just a week or so ago, I picked up a bottle of Freakshow and it seemed to me that they have modified the label since the original. I wonder if there were any additions or changes.

        Reply

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