SHADES MADE FROM WINE BARRELS LAUNCHED

(TDB) - Robert Mondavi Winery has collaborated with California-based sunglasses maker Woodzee on a pair of shades crafted from old wine barrels.

The frames of the Wayfarer-shaped specs are made from wood used to age Central Coast red blend, Robert Mondavi Private Selection Coastal Crush Red.

Priced at an eye-popping US$120 a pair, the limited edition sunnies, which offer UV protection, go on sale next month on the Woodzee website.

The glasses come in four lens colors: bronze, grey, reflective blue and reflective green. Each pair is etched with a tiny barrel logo on the left arm in a nod to their winemaking past.

In addition to wine barrels, Woodzee has turned everything from skateboard decks to bamboo reeds into frames.

“Working with Robert Mondavi Private Selection was a natural fit,” said Woodzee’s co-founder Luke Winter in a statement.

“Winemaking is so tied to the earth, we couldn’t wait to see how we could take the wine barrels and make something really exciting from them,” he added.

“The excitement is mutual. It’s been great giving the barrels a new lease of life by recycling our wood for the sunglasses,” offered Rick Boyer, winemaker for Robert Mondavi