K VINTNERS LLC
WALLA WALLA, WA

After a devastating freeze in 2004, Charles brought to life a label he had once in a dream: HOUSE WINES. Low and behold, the label concept had never been created or trademarked, so Charles launched the legendary brand before selling it to Precept Brands in 2006. That same year, Charles started a second brand, Charles Smith Wines. The brand was themed as “The Modernist Project,” which focuses on the way people generally consume wine today: immediately. As the collection grew in popularity, Charles wanted to provide even more people around the globe access to the exceptional wines, so he sold the collection of five wines —Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Eve Chardonnay, Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon, The Velvet Devil Merlot and Boom Boom! Syrah—to Constellation Brands in October 2016 in order to bring them to consumers around the world through their global distribution network. The intent was (and still is) to create wines to be enjoyed now, but with true typicity of both the varietal and the vineyard. His story continued with the creation of Charles & Charles, CasaSmith ViNO, SIXTO, and Substance. The constant innovator and his restless nature ensure that the story doesn’t end there. In 2017, he unveiled a new name for his international company and vast portfolio – Wines of Substance, which is defined as the quality of being important, valid and significant. Wines of Substance illustrates Charles’ philosophy of producing exceptional wines to be enjoyed by everyone around the globe. Charles Smith is the only person to have received Winemaker of the Year distinctions by both Wine Enthusiast (2014) and Food & Wine (2009). In 2008, K Vintners was recognized by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the “Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years,” and as “Winery of the Year” in their annual buying guide. His wines continue to receive broad recognition from leading wine publications such as Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine & Spirits with 98 scores of 95 points and above, and 386 scores of 90 points and above. Edgy, black and white wine labels have become synonymous with K Vintners & Wines of Substance. Easily distinguishable from a distance, in a sea of other wines, the “K label” has been a packaging coup from the first day it was released. This success is the result of the collaborative efforts of Charles Smith, providing the concept and Rikke Korff taking the concept and making it a creative reality. K Vintners: The key features of the K Vintners label include the very graphic stark black & white color language as well as the crafted and rough hand-drawn letters that more often than not find their way off the edge of the label. The hand drawn and individually hand placed letters are not only used on the larger and more prominent logos, but they are used everywhere, down to the alcohol % and the government warning. Rikke was raised in Denmark and exposed to simple and functional Danish aesthetic her whole life. Having extensive design training, she was headhunted out of design school during her last 6 months to begin a career at Levi Strauss & Co. where she became Design Director for the global premium lines before leaving to start her own design house. Rikke has been friends with Charles for over 17 years now and when he decided to start K Vintners, he asked Rikke to assist with all the visual aspects of the brand, from winery restoration and tasting room looks to the logo and label ID and execution. “My style of design has always been and is always rooted in the pure perspective of functionality, timelessness & simplicity. I blend that well with the guts & raw directness of rock n’ roll to create future icons and cult brands.” Rikke Korff Winemaking & Viticulture Giving back is a cornerstone of our philosophy at Wines of Substance. We understand that family and community go hand-in-hand, which is why we are committed to making a difference in the communities where we live, work and play.