HUNT HANSON CRAFTS RADIANT IDENTITY FOR FREIXENET SOLARE

Henkell Freixenet has unveiled Solare, a bold new Mediterranean aperitivo designed in partnership with independent brand design agency Hunt Hanson. With its sun-drenched identity, natural Spanish ingredients and confident packaging, Solare marks Freixenet’s expansion beyond sparkling wine into the booming global aperitivo category.

Henkell Freixenet has once again turned to Hunt Hanson to shape the future of its brand portfolio, this time with the launch of Freixenet Solare. The new aperitivo represents a significant step for the global sparkling wine leader, moving into one of the fastest-growing drink categories worldwide. With aperitivo culture flourishing as consumers embrace daytime social rituals and spritz cocktails dominate menus, Solare arrives as a natural extension of Freixenet’s Mediterranean heritage.  

Hunt Hanson’s challenge was to create an identity that could stand confidently within the aperitivo category while retaining the authority of Freixenet. The result is a brand world that radiates warmth, joy and sophistication. At its heart lies a distinctive wordmark set in an Art Deco–inspired typeface, framed by sun rays that evoke both Mediterranean ease and the golden age of cocktails. The towering glass bottle is sculpted with rising sun motifs through its shoulders, while bold Freixenet debossing anchors the design in heritage. A deep blue label cuts through the vibrant yellow palette, balancing exuberance with refinement.  

Nick Hanson, Founder and Creative Director at Hunt Hanson, explained: “Our challenge was to take Freixenet somewhere new without losing the confidence and credibility the brand is known for, while allowing Solare to speak in its own voice. Mediterranean sunshine runs through the bottle vertically, flowing from cap to base. The sun symbol itself is born from Freixenet’s iconic ‘X’, weaving the new expression back into the masterbrand’s DNA.”  

The wider brand world is equally evocative. Yellow-led visuals paired with Spanish lemons and sprigs of rosemary deliver instant appetite appeal, while blue accents add freshness and sophistication. Photography codes Solare firmly for daytime occasions, positioning it as aspirational yet accessible, refreshing and rooted in the Spanish Mediterranean lifestyle. Crafted with 100% natural Spanish lemons and rosemary, Solare invites drinkers to “Taste the Sun” in every sense—through its name, design and experience.  

Consumer insight played a central role in shaping the brand. From concept and naming through to packaging and liquid development, every stage was tested and refined to ensure Solare resonated emotionally as well as visually. The result is not only a distinctive identity but an aperitivo experience consumers genuinely enjoy.  

“Solare marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Freixenet,” said Sergi Claramunt, International Marketing Innovation Director at Henkell Freixenet. “Stepping into the aperitivo category feels like a natural evolution for us, rooted in our Mediterranean heritage and expertise in shared social occasions. Solare carries the warmth of the Mediterranean sun, brought to life through a brand full of character and promise by Hunt Hanson. The result is a distinctive and elevated aperitivo experience, developed with consumers at its core.”  

The launch is supported by the “Taste the Sun” campaign, inspired directly by the brand’s radiant identity. A non-alcoholic variant will follow this summer, extending Solare’s reach to even more occasions and reinforcing Freixenet’s ambition to lead in the vibrant aperitivo category.