A Century in a Bottle with Taorhe Centennial Commemorative Wine, 2025 MUSE Design of the Year

Leading with quiet confidence, the Taoerhe Centennial Commemorative Wine by Shenzhen Yinli Originality Co., Ltd. for Jilin Province Taoerhe Wine Industry Co., Ltd. sets the tone as the Design of the Year at the 2025 MUSE Design Awards, inviting readers into a story where packaging becomes both celebration and craft.

In the world of wine, beer, and liquor, packaging design is often the first conversation between a brand and its audience, shaping expectations long before a bottle is opened. Beyond aesthetics, it reflects culture, craftsmanship, and storytelling, inviting consumers into a sensory experience that blends visual identity with the promise of taste and tradition. For designers, professionals, and curious enthusiasts alike, the art of packaging reveals how form, material, and detail come together to transform everyday containers into expressions of creativity and connection within the evolving landscape of beverage design.

A standout in this creative landscape, the Taoerhe Centennial Commemorative Wine by Shenzhen Yinli Originality Co., Ltd. for Jilin Province Taoerhe Wine Industry Co., Ltd. secured the title of Design of the Year at the 2025 MUSE Design Awards for its exquisite and luxurious design.

Created to honor a century of heritage, the packaging draws inspiration from Zhang Heng’s Armillary Sphere, an iconic achievement of ancient Chinese astronomy. The form and structure echo the idea of a time machine, inviting the viewer to experience the passage of history through design, where a single moment of enjoyment feels connected to a hundred years of craftsmanship and tradition. Upon opening the front of the box, a golden “0” and “1” are revealed, symbolizing the journey of the first centenary and the quiet transformation from nothing into something of lasting value. Looking through the circular opening at the center feels like entering a time tunnel, where past and present gently converge through form and detail.

The bottle itself reflects the ancient philosophy of round heaven and square earth, grounding the design in cultural meaning, while its base bears a centennial commemorative seal that speaks to the rhythm of changing seasons and passing years. Together, these thoughtful elements create a composition that not only celebrates a hundred years of heritage, but also expresses Taorhe’s enduring dedication to craftsmanship, tradition, and the art of winemaking.

The four sides of the bottle base are adorned with dragon motifs inspired by the Armillary Sphere, where dragons appear to cradle the celestial form as a symbol of continuity and unbroken heritage. This sense of timeless flow carries upward to the bottle cap, where a golden river passes through a subtle gate of time, creating a visual moment that feels both ceremonial and reflective, as though the design itself is pausing to acknowledge the passage of history and the stories it continues to hold.

In its final impression, the design leaves little doubt that the creators’ expertise is clearly on display, revealed through every carefully considered detail and thoughtful gesture. The packaging stands not only as a vessel for the wine within, but as a quiet showcase of design mastery, where craftsmanship, cultural understanding, and creative vision come together to create an experience that lingers long after the bottle is set down.