A rhinoceros in a red sweater on a wine label. That got my attention. I first saw this wine before I started writing these reviews. It was one of the labels that inspired me to create this site.
The rhinoceros makes sense for a wine from South Africa. I assumed Tussock Jumper was a small national brand. It’s much more than that and quite unique in its scope. Tussock Jumper Wines is a collective of winemakers from around the world. The brand doesn’t make the wines. It sources them. The wines produced are typically the signature varietals of the country of origin—Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, Shiraz from Australia, Riesling from Germany, and Pinot Grigio from Italy. Each wine region is represented by an appropriate sweater sporting critter. The collection could create a small zoo. Although there are over 30 wines from 11 countries, I have only seen the Chenin Blanc.
Let’s explore the brand and packaging. To start, what’s a tussock? From their website, “A tussock is a knobbly kind of grass that can be found all round the world. It symbolises our green credentials and our commitment to preserving nature.” Bit of a stretch but okay. The word doesn’t seem to connect with jumper. Tuft of grass plus sweater? The name may defy reason but somehow it works. Especially in the chiseled typeface that expresses it.
There is a lot of white space on the Tussock Jumper labels. It allows the animals to visually dominate. The black-and-white illustrations are realistic with modestly animated character. The stark contrast of the red jumpers gives the label a pop of colour.
The back labels are nicely done. Flavours and food pairing are presented with illustrations making them quick to absorb. Optimal temperature is indicated in both Celcius and Fahrenheit. There’s also the 1% For the Planet graphic with a QR code that takes you to the sustainability projects page on their website. What you won’t find on the label is any reference to their augmented reality app that brings their mascots to life. I’ll post video on Instagram and TikTok.
I enjoy SA Chenin Blanc. This is a decent example with tropical and stone tree fruit flavours.
Tussock Jumper is a complex brand story that few will discover. Most consumers will simply succumb to the charm of the beasts adorned in wooly red sweaters. Not a bad thing.
