For my senior thesis, I combined two passions: wine and design. I am constantly inspired by the graphics/packaging of alcohol and spirit bottles. I have poured out my self evaluating store shelves for hours accessing the intricacies of every label. I was introduced to wine by my aunt a few years ago and expanded my knowledge by taking a horticulture class at SIUC. Through visiting wineries and talking with friends, I realized that without a class or a guide, the world of viticulture is wildly confusing and intimidating. In addition, I noticed a lack of knowledge about southern Illinois wineries and their quality. The wines are said to be comparable to that grown in France and Italy, yet consumers are unaware.

These problems inspired me to created Uncork Illinois. The goal is to connect the gap between new consumers and delicious wine by bringing local wines to the mouths of beginning consumers across the nation through a monthly subscription. This, in turn, promotes and supports local vineyards. Uncork Illinois is designed to aid wineries in creating a monthly subscription production and offer services that support the journey of the winery as well as the consumer.

Taster-sized bottles paired with an encouraging community of wine-lovers guide and educate the consumer on their journey in a way that is unique to the wine club industry. Entering the world of wine is difficult for consumers and vineyards alike. Uncork Illinois focuses on the educational aspect to build the consumers’ confidence surrounding wine, so they are able share their knowledge with others. Uncork Illinois is a steppingstone toward supporting each other. It seems fitting in my final year to bring my journey full circle by using design to help others achieve a more confident, knowledgeable version of themselves as it has me.

How it Works: 

The consumer logs onto the Uncork Illinois website, makes an account and takes the flavor profile quiz to reveal a custom box filled with local wine tasters. The mailed box arrives each month and the consumer can retake the flavor profile as much as they like – the quiz will alter slightly each time, taking into account their last orders and reviews. The box comes with a wine tasting sheet, description card detailing each wine’s flavor and body, and a discount offer. If the consumer mails back the empty bottles, they will receive a coupon code to use on their next wine purchase.

This cycle ensures happy customers and focused customer service. The consumer is never alone in their journey. Uncork Illinois is with them each step of the way.

The Uncork Illinois website contains everything a new wine consumer may need to begin their journey: descriptions of local wineries and their location, a quiz to identify their palette and which wines best suit them, and a wide variety of local wines ready for purchase. On top of all of this, subscribers will be able to partake in monthly video calls with experts and others just like them. It is easy to navigate and, like the rest of the branding, is meant to calm the viewer and visually bring them into the vineyard.

The mobile app was created for Uncork Illinois subscribers who have already gotten the hang of the company.  The consumer track orders, update their flavor profile through the quiz, and log which wines they’ve tried and how it compares to others. This wine log is accessible anywhere, anytime – making it the perfect companion for an up-and-coming wine enthusiast.

COMPLETED: 2021          DESIGNED: Allison Morey          CLASSIFICATION: Web/App Design, Packaging, Branding