The wine club isn’t dying. It’s being rewritten. Wine clubs in 2026 still matter, but the way wineries build and grow them has fundamentally changed. What has changed is the lifestyle of the people in them. In 2026, the strongest force shaping wine club behavior is the Millennial generation — not because they are the only wine buyers, but because the way they live, spend, and subscribe has become the default expectation for everyone else. They are running households, hosting friends, raising families, managing busy schedules, and making more intentional purchasing decisions than any generation before them. That reality is quietly transforming what a wine club needs to be. Why lifestyle now matters more than allocations Wine clubs used to compete on bottles: how many, how rare, how discounted. That’s not how people experience wine anymore. Most members don’t think in terms of allocations or case sizes. They think in terms of how wine fits into their lives &

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BRAND TOP OF MIND WHEN CUSTOMERS ARE DROWNING IN HOLIDAY EMAILS The inbox in December isn’t a communication tool—it’s a full-contact sport. Every brand, from the global megastore to the local dog bakery, is shouting their way into people’s attention span with flashing subject lines, endless exclamation points, and “40% OFF” hysteria that blurs into static. Consumers don’t read; they scan for relief. According to Mailjet’s 2024 BFCM report, holiday email volume jumps nearly 80% between Thanksgiving and Christmas, while average open rates drop to 13–15%—a statistical cry for help. But the real problem isn’t quantity—it’s tone. Every brand is talking at their audience instead of with them. The louder the messaging, the less people listen. Leading with prices and panic doesn’t inspire trust; it triggers fatigue. That’s your opportunity. The brands that win the inbox aren’t the

In this WIN Insider Series episode, George Christie interviews Courtney Benham, Owner and President of CNB Family of Wines, alongside team members Nina and Remy. Courtney shares his journey from Bakersfield farming family to wine industry leader, discussing the evolution of his brands including Blackstone and Martin Ray. The conversation highlights CNB’s innovative Rookie Club—a new wine club concept targeting millennials and Gen Z with approachable pricing, easy subscriptions, and casual events like trivia nights. They also address current industry challenges including distribution pressures and economic headwinds, emphasizing how passion, relationships, and adaptability are essential for family wineries to thrive in today’s complex market.

The wine industry is steeped in tradition, but let’s be real—it’s time to shake things up. Younger demographics aren’t buying into the same old wine marketing tricks or outdated experiences. Want to grab their attention (and their dollars)? Then it’s time to think bold, fun, and modern. You Don’t Have to Do It All—Start Small and Stay True to Your Brand Attracting younger wine lovers doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything or abandon your roots. Instead, consider making a few strategic shifts that align with your brand. Maybe your website keeps the traditional tasting notes, but you have fun with social media. Maybe your weekends are reserved for 21+ reservation-only tastings, but your weekdays are more relaxed and family-friendly. The key is finding what works for you and your audience. Now, let’s dive into some ideas. 1. Flex Your Wine Club Options Your wine club isn’t working for everyone. Sure, your loyal members lov

Saturday, June 1st, 11am to 3pm Our 2024 Summer Open House + Marketplace is just two weeks way! This event is the perfect opportunity to gather with friends and family and sip handcrafted wines from our family of sonoma-based boutique wineries. This is also an amazing reason and support these incredible winemakers by purchasing directly from them. We will have 14 of our independent wineries pouring their incredible wines and sharing the stories behind them. Each winery pouring four to six wines, thats over 50 handcrafted wines, and we know that you will find one (or more) that you love! A wonderful chance to stock up on wines for your summer celebrations. Our event is kid and dog friendly, so bring the family and join us on Saturday June 1st!  Wineries - Black Kite | Bruliam | Bucher | Copper Six | Cupere | Ernest | Fat Dragon | Innumero | Jeff Cohn | Moret Brealynn | Parea | Saxon Brown | Stringer Get Tickets Additionally, we have secured some amazing local farms + food artisan

Summer is almost here, and we're gearing up for our 2024 Summer Open House + Marketplace at Grand Cru on Saturday, June 1st, from 11am to 3pm. It's just 5 weeks away! Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or a novice, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Tickets are available now for $35, and they include wine tasting and valet parking. Here's what's in store for you at the event: Wine Wonderland: Discover wines from 14 exceptional wineries, including:Black Kite Bruliam Bucher Cupere Domaine de la Riviere Ernest Innumero Jeff Cohn Moret Brealynn Parea Saxon Brown Stringer Plus, we're excited to welcome some new wineries this year: Copper Six and Fat Dragon! Wineries will be pouring upwards of 4 wines, giving you the perfect opportunity to find your new favorite local wine. Culinary Delights: Treat your taste buds to delicious offerings from our featured vendors:Lunch Box: Indulge in juicy smash burgers, sandwiches, and more. Dino'

Brian BakerBrian Baker is managing partner at Cultivar, a wine sales and marketing company specializing in three-tier, direct-to-consumer, and export channels. We spoke with Brian last year on tasting rooms and the changes that came with the COVID-19 pandemic; now, we turned to him again to talk about imports and how foreign wine brands are now looking at direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels. You‌ ‌can‌ ‌listen‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌full‌ ‌interview‌ ‌here‌ ‌or‌ ‌read‌ ‌the‌ ‌abridged‌ ‌version‌ ‌below‌:‌ ‌ Milton Cornwell: Today, I have Brian Baker, who really needs no introduction. His background in the wine and hospitality space is extensive and includes senior leadership positions at Jackson Family Wines, Chateau Montelena, and Mayacamas Vineyards. We first caught up with him in 2020, right after the pandemic had hit, and got into many topics, mo

Bronwyn Dickson Ney is the founder of Bronwyn Ney Consulting, a marketing consulting firm focused on helping clients in wine, luxury, food, and hospitality. She is an expert in customer relationship marketing and has helped wineries drive significant growth over the years. We spoke with Bronwyn recently about luxury brands, stories, and connecting with the customer. Oh, and bacon. Listen to the full interview here or read along below:  Milton Cornwell: I’m excited to share another installment in our expert series for the wine industry. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Bronwyn Ney, who has a fabulous background starting in luxury goods marketing with Sephora. She spent time with Clorox and ultimately held the Director of Marketing position with Hall Winery, and VP of Marketing and Direct with Knights Bridge. She now has her own consulting firm appropriately named Bronwyn Ney Marketing, which helps clients navigate the current marketing landscape. Her core focus on

Each season brings new and exciting happenings for our World Cooperage Account Managers around the globe as they work with our partner winemakers. We checked in on a few of them recently to see what was shaking in their part of the world. Come take a peek with us! Today we bring you updates from Napa, Sonoma, Israel, Australia, and South Africa. Stay tuned for our next update where we will hear from France, South America, Mexico, Canada and possibly more. NAPA Yuri DeLeon, Account Manager Hi, from sunny Napa Valley! Outwardly, everything seems to be quiet and still, but it is a critical time of year for the vines. Bud break has occurred, and crews are pruning the vines. In cooperage news, I've been busy partnering with wineries on barrel trials for their different programs - including one with Rombauer to see how extended wood aging effects wine maturation. Exciting stuff for sure! In the cellar, it is bottling time for many wineries. White wine barrels are being emptied then

West Sacramento, CA, November 21, 2020 – Baker Family Wines today announced the release of their limited-edition 2018 “Hammrin’ Hank” Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $60). Baker Family Wines proprietor, renowned baseball player and manager, Dusty Baker, collaborated with his longtime friend and mentor, Hank Aaron, to produce this wine, released on the one-year anniversary of the opening of their winery. […] The post Baker Family Wines Releases Limited Quantity “Hammrin’ Hank” Cabernet Sauvignon, in Partnership with Baseball Legend Hank Aaron appeared first on Wine Industry Advisor. Url:https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2020/11/23/baker-wines-hammrin-hank-cabernet?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baker-wines-hammrin-hank-cabernet Published Date:Mon, 23 Nov 2020 19:25:40 +0000