Sandeman has unveiled a new limited-edition canister for its Founder’s Reserve Ruby Port designed by Portuguese artist Mário Belém. The trailblazing Port producers have a long history of innovative artistic representation in the Port world, which can traced back to 1805 when George Sandeman became the first to brand his casks.
Inspired by history and challenged to create his own modern visual representation of Sandeman, digital illustrator and graphic artist, Mario Belém, dove into the brand’s rich past to develop original artwork for the new limited-edition gift pack for Sandeman’s Founder’s Reserve Ruby Port.
Belém’s art is widely recognized for its colorful and characteristically playful visual language. In this distinct style and featuring several elements in different scales to give the setting a surreal mood, Belém produced an imaginative piece for Sandeman that depicts a man on a journey, traveling on the historic Sandeman rabelo, the Hoopoe, which used to export the company’s Port down the Douro river to the aging house in Porto. While on his journey, this pioneering man sits on barrels of Port and leans gently against a gramophone ready to listen to music. On the cover of his chosen record – The Don – a reference to sophisticated pleasure that, like music, Sandeman’s Port delivers.
Belém’s work is the first step in Sandeman’s long-term plan to reconnect with the arts through special edition designs inspired by the brand’s historic and century-old advertisements and collaborations. As consumers in the United States continue to discover the iconic fortified wine brand and the Port wine category, this collaboration and ongoing project for Sandeman presents a modern moment to collect a cool, sophisticated and spirited piece of art and to enjoy an award-winning Port.
Sandeman Founder’s Reserve limited edition gift pack designed by Mário Belém is available nationally in the U.S. at wine retailers for $24.99 as well as in select markets across the globe.
