Why Wine Clubs Aren’t Working, And What’s Replacing Them For many wineries, the biggest challenge today isn’t attracting new customers; it’s keeping the ones they already have. Wine clubs once represented the most stable revenue engine for wineries. Members signed up, shipments went out quarterly, and predictable revenue flowed in. It was the foundation of direct-to-consumer success. But that foundation is cracking. Recent industry data reveals a troubling trend: nearly 40% of wine club members cancel within the first year. In a market where customer acquisition costs are climbing, and competition for attention has never been fiercer, losing members at this rate isn’t just a retention problem; it’s a profitability crisis. The math is unforgiving. If acquiring a new club member costs hundreds of dollars in marketing, tasting room labor, and incentives, losing them before they’ve generated meaningful lifetime value means wineries are bleeding money with every signup. And yet, some winer

The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. More pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for future generations.  Regenerative principles are a push back against traditional industrial agriculture practices which are respons

by Stacey HeuerAs we approach Thanksgiving, it’s a time to pause and reflect on the past year—the lessons we’ve learned, the challenges we’ve navigated, and the many things we have to be grateful for. For those of us in the wine industry, this reflection feels especially meaningful. The past year has asked us to adapt, to rethink long-standing traditions, and to find new ways to connect with customers and one another. We’ve witnessed shifting consumer preferences, evolving markets, and the uncertainty that naturally comes with change. Yet through it all, I’ve seen incredible determination, creativity, and collaboration across our community. These qualities remind me that, while the landscape may shift, what truly endures is our shared passion for the craft, our resilience in the face of challenge, and the strong sense of camaraderie that binds us together. In that spirit, I’d like to share what I’m especially thankful for within our wine

WEBSITE CASE STUDY DeLille has risen to be one of the most recognized, accessible, and loved wineries in Washington State; they wanted a website that reflects just that! “We sought out Highway 29 upon recommendations from industry contacts in order to make a custom site that integrated with our third-party winery management platform. Our goal was to harness the flexibility of WordPress while leveraging our WineDirect shop functionality so as to not affect our logistical operations. We now have a custom site that elevates our winery’s offerings and is reflective of our mission and story. Our new site is beautiful, elegant and sophisticated. Our new wine shop highlights the uniqueness of each wine and makes sorting and searching for wines much more effective. We’ve also elevated our vineyard partnerships and blog through the new design, as well as modernizing calls to action for visitation to both our tasting room and restaurant. This is only the begin

According to Global Package LLC President and CEO, Erica Harrop, there are good reasons to consider developing your own bottle mold. First, the international shipping chaos continues and, in some instances, is getting worse as the backlog of orders and shipping containers remains unabated. While Global Package has a ready supply of in-stock bottles available to customers to meet demand this season, the logjam is certainly limiting choice. “So, depending on your brand’s needs and budget, now may the perfect time to consider a new look with a new mold,” says Harrop. Global Package has many partners with whom they work on behalf of customers to design and engineer custom bottle molds that will elevate a brand’s presence on the retail shelf and in restaurant settings. Beginning with a thorough understanding of a company’s brand marketing strategy, Global Package’s experts help to determine projected volume and price/cost ratios. From there, they will w

Glass packaging trends in the wine industry are always changing, but remain grounded in tradition.  As leaders of the US domestic market in glass packaging, and decades of experience in the industry, Global Package have been creating these trends as much as utilizing them.  Global Package has strategic alliances with innovative suppliers, designers and marketing collaborators both domestically and internationally. These strategic alliances allow us to keep up to date with trends globally from various spheres including material, design, market behavior, and digital behavior. As they allow our business to evolve, we are able to develop exciting new lines to assist our clients (you) launch and market your brands to a continually developing audience as your business evolves along with it. In this article, we’ve collected and compiled a breakdown of current trends and traditional conventions to assist in your choice of glass packaging for your wine label. Global Package wil

Whether your brand goals are rooted in sustainability, market penetration or innovation, a key way to achieve optimal results is by engaging with your packaging partners early in the process. At MCC, our label expertise is often a competitive advantage for our customers. We have deep knowledge in critical areas of packaging from our diverse network of passionate teammates – from concept to commercialization and beyond! In this edition, we will peel back the layers on what ESG means to MCC, as well as feature one of our behind-the-scenes powerhouse teams focused on rapid prototyping.   ESG Steering Team As part of our Labeled with Care strategy, a focused effort has been put toward Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. These policies outline our dedication to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and sound governance practices. This serves as a framework for integrating ESG considerations into our decision-making processes and guiding our i

Global Package Exhibiting at the 2024 ADI Craft Spirits Conference and Vendor Expo - Booth 223 Baltimore MD The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. 2024 brings about more pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations, but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on in 2024: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for fu

Social media for wineries, a crucial aspect of marketing, can be challenging for many small to medium-sized businesses. Often, the responsibility for managing social media and other marketing efforts is shared among employees who juggle multiple roles within the winery or are outsourced to external agencies. This guide aims to simplify social media strategies, providing actionable insights and tips for achieving success in 2024. 1. Engage Your Audience and Build a Social Media Community Your social media platforms should feel like a welcoming place for wine enthusiasts. A strong online community enhances brand loyalty and transforms casual followers into brand loyalists. Regularly interacting with your audience–through responding to comments, engaging with similar accounts, and hosting live events and behind-the-scenes content–should be a cornerstone of your social media strategy. Being engaged in the social media world doesn’t have to take up all of your time, but i