Winemaking is an art and sometimes, it takes an artist's deft hand to remind us of that. We unveil the Penfolds 65F by NIGO, a limited-edition drop that comprises nearly 200 years of winemaking tradition.
Since their creative partnership in 2023, NIGO has pushed the envelope of what a wine brand can be: One by Penfolds. Grange by NIGO. Holiday Designed by NIGO and now, 65F by NIGO will mark the final chapter of a partnership that has blurred the lines between fashion, art, and wine.
Kristy Keyte, Penfolds’ Chief Marketing Officer, sees great benefits to the collaboration. "Our partnership with NIGO has allowed Penfolds to venture into the next frontier of cultural significance. Working with him over the past two years has pushed us creatively and opened significant opportunities for Penfolds. NIGO and his team will always be a part of Penfolds’ family and DNA, and we look forward to watching and supporting NIGO’s work into the future.
If you’ve ever been to Penfolds’ Magill Estate in South Australia, you’ll be greeted with a towering red and white chimney. This structure has stood proud for almost a century, a quiet but steadfast witness to the house’s legacy. Climbing at 65 feet, this was the icon that inspired NIGO’s design for this bottle.
Digging into Penfolds' archives, NIGO resurfaced with relics of the past that contributed to the 65F: pressed bottle labels from the ’30s to ’50s; early 20th-century typography; the chalkboards once used in the original Magill Estate winery. And with a bottle that's wrapped in nostalgia, it is topped off with a chimney-smoke wine stopper because... why not?
This isn’t just another pretty bottle. Inside is a serious wine: a 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz blend that was matured in 100 per cent French oak barriques. The result is a wine that hits with a depth of flavour.
Penfolds 65F by NIGO Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021 (750ml) will retail at SGD365 and will be available at 1855 Bottle Shop and Le Rouge on 11 April 2025. For more info, click here.
Penfolds uncorked its 2024 Holiday Collection for the season with bottles that are dressed to impress. The Australian winemaker's own creative partner and brains behind A Bathing Ape, Human Made and current artistic director of Kenzo, NIGO, redesigned a series of limited-edition gift boxes to catch the eye.
Drawing inspiration from traditional Asian checkered textiles—a symbol of prosperity and eternity—NIGO created four bold designs in vibrant red, green, blue, and black, all matched to a different wine. We begin with the collection's standout star, the Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz aka "Baby Grange"—that's wrapped in an iconic "Penfolds Red" box with a playful pillow-like texture.
The Bin 311 Chardonnay follows and is encased in a green cylindrical box that strikes a balance between festive charm and premium quality. Meanwhile, the Bin 28 Shiraz boasts a blue cylinder design with shimmering gold accents, a standout addition to any holiday table. Rounding up the lineup, the Penfolds Max's, a range of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz Cabernet wines sports a dramatic black checkered design that's sophisticated and chic.
In a nod to his cultural roots, NIGO has also designed complementary furoshiki of wrapping clothes. These cloths not only enhance the gifting experience but they also embrace a more sustainable approach to packaging.
Available now, Penfolds 2024 Holiday Collection is destined to be the toast of the season. Whether you're drinking on your own or impressing guests, this season deserves that great Penfolds taste wrapped in a renewed design.
For more information about Penfolds' 2024 Holiday Collection, click here
There are many ways to describe wine other than the palate. One could pontificate about the colour of the grape or how the light hits the glass to give that blood-red hue. You could comment about the presence of sediments or how bright it is, which speaks about the filtration process. But in a rare moment, Penfolds decided to get people talking about the label design. Cue NIGO.
Penfolds ropes in street style doyen NIGO as the brand’s inaugural creative partner. This year-long appointment will lead the creative vision for selected Penfolds projects. A veteran in the fashion, art and music world, NIGO is also a wine collector. When asked about his affiliation with Penfolds, NIGO says, “I have always loved and enjoyed wine, and Penfolds has always been one of my favourites. My creative partnership with Penfolds is a dream project. I am grateful for the opportunity.”
And what is NIGO’s first labour? It’s the One by Penfolds.
One by Penfolds celebrates “oneness”. You know, that old saw about how different and unique people are and the things that bind all of us together. But that expression holds true for Penfolds as its wine is the product of diverse perspectives and regional nuances of each winemaking region.
In his signature style, NIGO designed four animal motifs for the wine labels. Like something out of an alt-Sanrio sketchbook, each animal (crocodile; rooster; panda; bear) represents the four winemaking regions where One by Penfolds wines are sourced—Australia, France, China and America. Limited-edition T-shirts and jackets, courtesy of NIGO’s own Human Made label, accompanied the global launch of One by Penfolds. Alas, those were quickly sold out. But the One by Penfolds range is still available online and at selected restaurants and bars.
