Bold and full bodied, stylish and approachable with a touch of fruity sweetness: a description that may just fit both the wine and its label. When Ste. Michelle Wine Estates of Woodinville, Washington, was searching for an image to represent a new label, they came across the work of pastelist Cynthia Sampson-Files.  The bright colors and bold strokes of Sampson-Files' painting Wild Horses gave flavor to the name, 14 Hands, since it was reminiscent both of the stature of a horse and the hands-on work involved in harvesting grapes.

This is one of the few times that Ste. Michelle, a winery boasting more than 257 different wine labels, has exclusively licensed and bought an original piece of art for a label instead of having the label designed in-house. Sampson-Files' name will be on the back of every bottle, and as Ste. Michelle has yet to discontinue any of its labels, 14 Hands should be enjoyed for many years to come.  14 Hands is available as a chardonnay, a cabernet sauvignon and a merlot.

The Pastel Journal  June 2005