CLIENT

The Gates Distillery d.o.o.

BRAND

THE GATES

TYPE

BRANDING, PRODUCT PACKAGING, VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Welcome to The Gates Distillery — The Gates Distillery is a premium Croatian distillery, nestled in the heart of Rijeka, a city known for its rich maritime heritage. The name "The Gates" evokes the city’s striking coastal landscape, where the gateway passages between the islands and the mainland have long symbolized the region’s prosperity and seafaring tradition. Rijeka, located along the picturesque Kvarner Bay, offers its residents breathtaking views of the two renowned maritime straits — Srednja Vrata (Middle Gate, between the islands of Krk and Cres) and Velika Vrata (Great Gate, between Cres and the Istrian Peninsula). These historic passages have been vital to the city’s role as the largest seaport in Croatia, shaping its rich history and culture. At The Gates Distillery, we honor this maritime legacy through our carefully crafted spirits, blending local tradition with exceptional craftsmanship.

Our name and visual identity are a tribute to Rijeka’s enduring maritime spirit — each bottle we produce is a celebration of the city’s seafaring past and its continued dedication to excellence.

Visual Identity — The core of The Gates Distillery’s visual identity—reflected consistently across the entire packaging design lies in a series of flowing lines that evoke the motion of sea waves. These design elements subtly reinforce the distillery’s deep connection to its coastal setting, emphasizing the sea as both a geographic anchor and a vital force in the life and legacy of the region. So... Sail into the Kvarner Bay through the Great or Middle Gates the straits between the islands of Krk and Cres, and the Istrian Peninsula—and discover a world of flavor.

Design Inspired by Place and Tradition The name “The Gates”, along with the bottle and label design, pays homage to Rijeka’s deep-rooted maritime heritage. It reflects not only the spirit of the city, but also its unique geographic identity, embedded in the everyday life of its people. The bottle features a dual-label design: The front label introduces the brand’s story in a concise, elegant narrative. The inner label, printed directly onto the glass in a no-label look style, reveals a subtle “map-view” of the Kvarner straits—the natural sea gates that greet Rijeka’s residents every day. Crafted from deep black cardstock and stamped with copper foil—reminiscent of the sea at sunset—combined with crisp white accents, the label creates a refined and tactile experience.

To complete the design, the neck of the bottle is wrapped with a miniature rope, inspired by traditional maritime rigging, adding a final touch that anchors the brand in its seafaring roots. Every detail is a nod to the Adriatic, to Rijeka, and to the timeless relationship between the sea and craftsmanship.