The New Year has often been seen as a marketing reset. New goals, new mindsets, new opportunities. However, by the time Q1 arrives, many brands still rely on superficial “New Year, New You” messages that no longer match how consumers actually behave in January, February, and March. In 2026, the opportunity isn’t to shout louder about resolutions—it’s to align your brand with how people are realistically thinking, spending, and socializing in the first quarter. According to multiple consumer studies, roughly 80% of New Year’s resolutions fade by mid-February, yet spending habits, social rituals, and emotional priorities continue well beyond January. That gap is where smart marketing lives. For wine brands, Q1 isn’t about reinventing but staying relevant. The most effective early-year messaging connects with consumers by addressing their desire for connection, value, simplicity, and meaningful experiences that don’t feel indulgent or e

WHY DEMOGRAPHICS STILL MATTER IN WINE At first glance, it may seem logical to take a broad approach to wine marketing—after all, shouldn’t the goal be to sell wine to anyone who’s willing to buy it? Not exactly. In practice, marketing to “everyone” is a fast track to appealing to no one. You water down your message, misfire your tactics, and wind up wasting both budget and energy trying to reach people who were never going to buy from you in the first place. Smart marketing is selective, not scattershot. And that’s where demographics come in. At their core, demographics are just the quantifiable details about your customers—things like age, gender, income, education, and marital status. But in the hands of a capable marketer, demographics become strategic tools. They help decode how different consumers make decisions, what cultural cues they respond to, and how best to approach them with offers they’ll actually care about. Wine, with all

This year, Sunridge Nurseries proudly celebrates a remarkable 27-year partnership with ENTAV, and we're even more excited about our renewed agreement for the next 20 years! This collaboration has revolutionized the world of viticulture, bringing the finest French clonal grapevine selections directly from the ENTAV repository in France each carrying the ENTAV-INRA® trademark – a guarantee of authenticity from the highest viticulture authority in France. It all began three decades ago when a visionary French nurseryman sent a letter to our founder, Glen Stoller, proposing a partnership that would not only introduce the richness of French clones to California but also unlock a treasure trove of opportunities for U.S. wine grape growers. This groundbreaking initiative has fostered innovation and diversity in our industry, and we stand proud as a pioneering force in the grapevine sector. As we embrace this exciting journey, join us in celebrating this legacy and continue growi

As consumers, our media consumption habits have evolved dramatically over the years. Some of us remember when we used to have to get up as kids and walk across the room to change the TV channel! That primitive exercise was soon made redundant when someone on the block got the first VCR – WITH A REMOTE CONTROL, and we began trading tapes back and forth. Friday nights then transformed into trips to Blockbuster, where we’d pick out the latest releases. This evolved into getting DVDs in the mail, and today, we can stream whatever content we want, whenever we want it. This evolution reflects our growing desire for convenience, customization, and immediate access. However, while our media consumption has drastically evolved, wine clubs have largely stayed the same as they were 20, 30, or even 40 years ago. Traditionally, wine clubs offer a predetermined number of wines a few times a year, along with complimentary tastings at the winery. This model has served us well, catering to

As the festive buzz of Christmas begins to settle, savvy wineries are already gearing up for the next big occasion: New Year’s and the post-holiday sales rush. Seizing the momentum from the holiday season, wineries can strategically position themselves for success in January and beyond. In this post, we explore key marketing strategies to keep the celebration going, ensuring a strong start to the new year. 1. Create Irresistible Post-Holiday Offers The day after Christmas doesn’t mark the end of celebration; it’s an opportunity to extend the festive cheer. Craft enticing post-holiday promotions to keep customers engaged. Consider limited-time discounts, bundle deals, or exclusive releases to captivate your audience and encourage them to continue celebrating with your wines. Post-holiday example offers: “Restock the Wine Rack” Offer: Enjoy a generous 15% off when you purchase a case of 12 bottles. Encourage customers to replenish their wine racks with thei

Waterloo Container is your source for natural cork Waterloo Container partners with the best vendors in the industry to bring you a full range of natural cork options. Our primary cork vendors are members of the Cork Quality Council and work with us to ensure your cork is right for your product and can provide further assistance with proper sizing to ensure the perfect combination of form and function. MA Silva USA was established in 2000 and has established itself as a leading industry supplier through proven delivery of a wide range of natural cork stoppers.  As an innovative, sustainably driven manufacturer of cork, M.A. Silva’s business is rooted in putting customers first.  Amorim Cork is the largest producer and supplier of cork stoppers worldwide, with over 150 years of history. State-of-the-art production technologies, leading expertise, and unparalleled quality control are some of the reasons why the world’s top wine producers rely on Amorim Cork. Modern

Abacela Winery Announces a New Partnership with Authentic Wine Selections

Roseburg, Oregon, May 26, 2021 – Abacela Vineyards & Winery, a Roseburg-based winery, announces a new wholesale distribution partnership with Authentic Wine Selections, an Oakland, CA based fine wine distributor. Over the last twenty-five years, Abacela has produced an array of world-class wines from estate vineyards using sustainable viticultural practices and minimal intervention winemaking. Abacela will join Authentic […]

By Cheryl Durzy, Founder & CEO, LibDib -  When I founded LibDib 3.5 years ago I had a mission to provide three-tier compliant wholesale alcohol distribution to all wine and spirits Makers, no matter the production or distribution size. My goal (then and now) is distribution for any brand, in every market. Today, we are well on our way to reaching that goal: LibDib is currently in 5 markets (CA, NY, FL, CO, WI) and another 8 will go online this year. Coming from the Maker side of this business (I spent 20 years developing the wholesale channel for my family’s winery in the Northern Central Coast) I sometimes have blinders on to anything that is outside the norm of what I call “everyday business.” My original business plan called for independent accounts doing business with independent Makers, one case at a time. That was my definition of “everyday business.” However, as every good start up does, we pivoted. Our “everyday business” continues to grow (thanks to our amazing vintners