The connection between wine and Dionysus (Greek) or Bacchus (Roman) goes deep into culture and mythology. These gods, referenced in the branding or the architecture of many wineries, symbolize the raw nature of wine – its transformative power, hedonistic pleasures, and extraordinary experiences.

According to ancient Greek mythology, Dionysus (Baccus in Roman) is the god of wine and theatre, ecstasy and liberation. The ancients saw wine as a sacred offering, a gift from the gods that could bridge the mortal and divine realms.

Dionysus embodies both the joyous and destructive sides of wine – its ability to bring people together, inspire creativity, and loosen inhibitions, but also its potential for excess. He was also known as the "liberator" (Eleutherios), freeing people from the constraints of society and self-consciousness.

During the Renaissance (14th–17th centuries), the deity of ancient Rome underwent a transformation; from chaotic and intoxicating to a symbol of refined pleasure, artistic inspiration, and the good life.

This period, which saw a revival of classical antiquity, reinterpreted Bacchus through the lens of humanism. It celebrated wine not only as a source of divine ecstasy but also as a marker of civilization, abundance, and cultural sophistication.

There are a number of fine wines and estates that pay homage to Dionysian or Bacchic themes, either explicitly in their branding, imagery, or ethos. By referencing Dionysus or Bacchus, wineries signal a connection to wine’s deeper mythological roots, reinforcing a sense of artistry and legacy.

Loïc Pasquet’s Liber Pater is perhaps the most esoteric and explicitly Dionysian wine project in Bordeaux. The name “Liber Pater” is the Roman counterpart to Dionysus/Bacchus, directly tying the estate to ancient Bacchic rites.

Beyond the name, the wine labels feature ethereal, almost otherworldly artwork, with swirling, dreamlike imagery that seems to pull from ancient mythology and esoteric symbolism. Rather than traditional Bordeaux château depictions, Pasquet opts for something rare, enigmatic, and even untamed.

His revival of pre-phylloxera grape varieties and ancient winemaking methods further aligns with the mystical, ritualistic, and even forbidden nature of Bacchic cults. His wines, made in microscopic quantities, carry an air of sacrament, much like the wines used in Dionysian religious ceremonies.

The wines are available on request. Read our exclusive sneak peek into Liber Pater.

This sought-after Brunello di Montalcino drew on ancient Greek mythology for the creation of its logo. Italian contemporary artist Piero Leddi came up with the Soldera wine label, which features a dolphin – the sacred animal of Dionysus. In mythology, Dionysus was kidnapped by pirates, and when they refused to believe he was a god, he turned their ship’s mast into vines and transformed them into dolphins. According to the legend, dolphins also helped Dionysus save his beloved Ariadne, who had been abandoned on an island by Theseus. Soldera’s wines, deeply emotional, wild, and unpredictable, truly reflect the chaotic yet divine nature of Dionysian wine.

The label of the 1973 Château Mouton Rothschild vintage is a tribute to Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) and his artistic legacy. Baron Philippe de Rothschild personally selected Bacchanale, a painting from his private collection, to adorn the bottle. Picasso, deeply influenced by classical themes, reinterpreted the Dionysian-Bacchic tradition, a motif that has resonated throughout art history.

In ancient mythology, Dionysus was often depicted leading frenzied, uninhibited celebrations known as Bacchanalia. These rites, imbued with themes of liberation and transcendence, saw his followers – primarily Maenads (or Bacchantes) – enter a trance-like state of divine possession. Picasso’s vision of these Bacchic revelers captures the wild, primal energy of such rituals, with figures lost in the intoxication of movement, music, and wine.

By featuring Bacchanale on the 1973 Mouton Rothschild label, the estate not only honors the hedonistic spirit of Dionysus but also reinforces the intimate relationship between wine, art, and creative expression.

At Château Pichon Baron, the grand statue of Bacchus, standing proudly in the château’s gardens, is more than just an ornamental tribute. Here, Bacchus embodies both the structured artistry of viticulture and the uninhibited joy that great wine inspires. His presence at Pichon Baron reflects an appreciation for craftsmanship and the transformative power of wine itself.

This duality – discipline and decadence – is mirrored in Pichon Baron’s Pauillac wines, which achieve an extraordinary balance between power and pleasure. The estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends are renowned for their bold structure, deep concentration, and age-worthy finesse, yet they also exude a sumptuous opulence that captivates the senses. Much like the Bacchic revelries of old, where order gave way to ecstasy, a bottle of Pichon Baron unfolds over time, revealing layers of refinement, intensity, and hedonistic allure.

While not explicitly featuring Dionysian imagery, Château Rayas is one of the most enigmatic wines in the world, often described as otherworldly and hallucinatory – echoing the intoxicating and mind-altering qualities of Dionysian wine.

The estate is an anomaly in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, defying the region’s expectations with its singular expression of 100% Grenache grown in sandy soils. Unlike the powerful, structured, and dark-fruited wines typical of the appellation, Rayas is light in color yet explosively complex and hauntingly perfumed. Tasting Rayas, some say, is an experience that alters one’s understanding of what Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or even Grenache, can be.

Much like the clandestine nature of Dionysian cults, Château Rayas operates in an almost monastic obscurity. There is little information about the estate, no grand château, and virtually no public presence – just a humble, almost forgotten-looking winery hidden among the pines.

The late Jacques Reynaud, who ran Rayas for decades, cultivated an almost mythological presence in the wine world. Famously reclusive, eccentric, and seemingly indifferent to commercial success, he embodied the idea of a guardian of ancient vinous wisdom. His unexpected passing in 1997 only deepened the mystique of Rayas, leaving a legacy steeped in legend, scarcity, and devotion.

Want to read more? Take a look at some of our other blogs:

• • Brenna Quigley: Wine geologist extraordinaire
  • The 20th century abstract art labels of Mouton Rothschild
  • The music vintages of Pichon Comtesse