At Bauerhaus Design, we’re passionate about creating designs that tell a story. When we had the opportunity to work with Illinois Wine for their Illinois Wine Month campaign, we knew we wanted to develop a concept that was not only memorable but also captured the spirit of Illinois’s growing wine industry. Our collaboration led to the creation of the “Chase Grapeness” —a theme we loved so much, we decided to make it the cornerstone of their promotional materials.

The idea behind “Chase Grapeness” is simple yet powerful. It’s a call to action, an invitation to explore the rich and diverse world of Illinois wines. It’s a playful nod to the pursuit of excellence and the journey of discovery that wine enthusiasts embark on—from visiting scenic vineyards to finding the perfect bottle.

Designing a Versatile Brochure and Wine Guide

Our first project was to design a comprehensive brochure that was both practical and visually appealing. We created an 11×17 flat brochure that folded down to a standard rack card size, making it perfect for display at visitor centers across the state and for events. The brochure’s six exterior panels highlighted key aspects of the Illinois wine scene:

• A map of all Illinois wineries
• Information on signature events and grapes
• Details on the Illinois Rosé project
• An overview of the state’s wine trails

The “Chase Grapeness” theme unified these diverse elements, creating a cohesive and engaging experience for anyone picking up the brochure.

The success of the brochure’s design led us to carry the theme over to the Illinois Wine Guide, a full-length magazine. We were tasked with designing the cover to match the brochure’s aesthetic and developing a set of brand standards for the magazine designers to follow. The guide’s cover became another canvas for the “Chase Grapeness” message, reinforcing the brand identity.

We also developed a series of ads for the wine guide to be both informative and visually stunning, each one telling a small part of the larger Illinois wine story. From highlighting the Illinois Wine App that we developed to showcasing  the “Everything’s Coming up Rosé” signature series, our goal was to inspire readers to go out and “Chase Grapeness” for themselves.

This project is a prime example of how a strong, central concept can be applied across different mediums to build a powerful and unforgettable brand. The “Chase Grapeness” campaign not only looks great but has helped to create a stronger, more unified identity for Illinois Wine.