SOUTH BOSTON, VA -- Steven Holdridge, a Product Design & Development student at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC), has combined beautiful design with sophisticated engineering to create an original wine bottle display that is sure to delight wine lovers everywhere. The display sits unsupported on any flat surface and provides a unique presentation for a standard bottle of wine. Currently, a sample of Holdridge’s work may be seen at Caffe Peroni (303 Main Street in Downtown South Boston).

Holdridge was inspired to create the wine bottle display after making a larger wine rack for a class project, “After the wine rack I thought of making something that would be simple yet interesting and captivating,” he stated. Anyone who sees his current work will agree Holdridge has achieved success as his seemingly straightforward design instantly grabs one’s attention and begs the question, “How did he do that?”

Wine bottle displays from Holdridge’s initial production run are now on sale at Caffe Peroni and at the SVHEC’s Innovation Center. “The wine bottle display is perfect for anyone who enjoys wine or who would like to display a bottle of wine in a unique light,” said Holdridge when asked to identify his target customer. Proceeds from the sale of the displays will help Holdridge finance an upcoming trip to the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Letterfrack, Ireland.

In early March, Holdridge will travel to Letterfrack, Ireland with fellow Product Design & Development students and instructors and students from Virginia Tech. While there, the group will be immersed in GMIT-Letterfrack’s world-renowned fine woodworking program as they attend classes and get an international perspective on woodworking.

Holdridge’s unembellished wine bottle displays may be purchased for $20, while displays with laser engraving or an inlay are $25. Customers may also request special engravings to create a one-of-a-kind piece. To purchase a wine bottle display stop by Caffe Peroni or the SVHEC Innovation Center (820 Bruce Street, South Boston).

The Product Design & Development program at the SVHEC is offered in partnership with Danville Community College. For more information on the program visit SVHED.org.

Source: Southern Virginia Higher Education Center