Divine design

WORDS Debbie Loots

Nuts and bolts, brass and pressed cork, and the shiny shape of sunflowers… Look out for these in the form of divine new designs by Haldane Martin when next you visit Zonnebloem wines, or your favourite restaurant, pub and wine shop.

When Zonnebloem decided it’s high time their brand got a new tagline – crafting contemporary classics – they set their sights on Haldane, one of SA’s best-known industrial and interior designers (read more about him here), to also give their merchandise a new makeover.

And what did Haldane do? He went straight to the roots of wine making for inspiration and presented Zonnebloem with a snazzy multi-functional cork-topped table, a wine-tasting table with a screw reminiscent of traditional wine presses, and two different freestanding display units, also featuring dark cork and finished off with brass fixtures. In fact, we can’t help wondering if his steampunk interior for Truth coffee (see it here) was a bit of an influence? The name Zonnebloem (the Dutch name for sunflower) inspired the spiral brass design feature of one of the tables, as well as the sparkly petals doubling up as bottle holders on a display unit.  

Says Zonnebloem’s global brand manager, Dè-Mari Kellerman: “He has reinterpreted the traditional in a pleasingly modern and original way that corresponds with Zonnebloem’s approach to winemaking. His designs reflect the cardinal principles of harmony and balance evident in our well-crafted wines.”

But it’s not only appearances that matter to these heavyweights in their respective fields; there’s caring about the good green stuff too. Dè-Mari continues: “Haldane works with materials in a way that is kind to the planet and to people. In the same way, all our wines are made by following the principles of eco-sustainability.”

Phew! All this good design combined with fine wine, what’s there left to say but cheers!

zonnebloem.co.za, haldanemartin.co.za