Ten Ways Wineries Can Evolve From Selling Bottles to Creating Experiences That Resonate With a New Generation. If I told you a winery just opened with no vineyard, no winemaker on staff, and no interest in talking about terroir… would you visit? What if I told you it had a silent disco in the barrel room, a drag brunch series, and a 3-month waitlist for a zero-proof pairing menu? Those wineries exist. And they’re thriving. Because for a new generation of visitors, the wine isn’t the reason—it’s the reward. It’s not about what you pour anymore. It’s about how you make people feel. And we used to excel at this. But then we woke up one day… and it wasn’t working like it used to. The same offers stopped converting. The same messages started falling flat. The same visitors didn’t come back. And it’s not because we got worse at what we do. It’s because the customer changed. What they want. How they behave. Where t

Meet Carlos Martinez, Junior Network Engineer at Wineshipping At Wineshipping, we celebrate the talented individuals who keep our operations running smoothly across every site. Carlos is part of our IT Infrastructure department, where he plays a vital role in supporting all locations across our network. Carlos officially joined Wineshipping in April 2020, but his journey began much earlier—back in 2012 with Pack and Ship Direct, which was later acquired by 24 Seven Enterprises, and ultimately by Wineshipping. This December, Carlos will celebrate an incredible 13 years as a Wineshipper! More About Carlos From the Club Line to IT Carlos’s career path is a true Wineshipping story. He first started on the club line, carefully placing bottles and collateral into boxes. A pivotal moment came when, after being asked about his tech background, Carlos was offered the opportunity to step into an IT role. That conversation opened the door to a new career path, and he hasn’t look

When wine, community, and celebration come together, magic happens! For the fourth consecutive year, HipMaps has had the honor of partnering with Out In The Vineyard to design a custom HipMap for Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma Wine Country. A Weekend Worth Mapping Gay Wine Weekend (July 18-20) brings together the LGBTQ+ community for an incredible celebration across the Russian River Valley and Healdsburg. From winemaker dinners and vineyard tours to a twilight T-Dance and drag queen brunch benefit auction, this weekend packs amazing experiences across multiple locations. Why Multi-Venue Events Need More Than a Schedule With so many venues, activities, and timing considerations, attendees need more than just a schedule – they need a visual guide that helps them navigate seamlessly between experiences. The Gay Wine Weekend custom-branded map allows attendees to use the HipMaps interactive app where they: See their real-time location right on the Gay Wine Weekend HipMap so th

Sonoma, CA, April 22, 2025 – Free Flow Wines announced the winners of the 12th annual KEGGY Awards, honoring wine on tap leaders for their extraordinary environmental impact and commitment to sustainability. For the first time, the awards are being celebrated in April to align with Earth Month, reinforcing Free Flow’s mission to drive a more sustainable future for the wine industry with reusable steel kegs – a truly zero-waste package. Additionally, Free Flow expanded award categories this year to also recognize winery partners who have saved over 50K and 2MM bottles from the landfill.  “We changed the award schedule to Earth Month to reflect one of our core values: sustainability.” said Rich Bouwer, CEO of Free Flow Wines. “It is an exciting time to be talking about our wine on tap partners. Despite ongoing challenges in the alcohol beverage sector, keg shipments through Free Flow Wines have continued to grow—proving that wine on tap is n

Wineries know that great wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s about the people we share it with.  Now, imagine taking that connection beyond the tasting room and into the world.   The WISE Travel Series is designed to help wineries deepen relationships with their biggest fans through immersive travel experiences. Whether it’s sipping Brunello in Tuscany with Ciao Andiamo or sailing through legendary wine regions on the rivers of Europe with Expedia Wine Club Cruises, these journeys create unforgettable moments that strengthen loyalty and build lifelong brand advocates.   Since our wine club members and best customers are already traveling the world, why not join them? Sharing meals, exploring vineyards, and discovering new cultures together fosters an unparalleled bond—one that keeps your winery top of mind and heart.   We’re teaming up with trusted travel partners to make hosting your own winery trip seamless and

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

Planning a year’s worth of winery marketing campaigns might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! This guide offers 60 winery marketing campaigns—a mix of traditional ideas, trending concepts, and fresh ways to tie into wine holidays and cultural moments. Whether you tackle five campaigns or all 60, you’ll find plenty of ways to connect with your audience, build loyalty, and sell more wine. January – Fresh Starts and Cozy Comfort Start the year by replenishing wine racks, embracing wellness trends, and celebrating comfort. Restock the Wine Rack: Give customers a reason to restock their post-holiday shelves with irresistible case discounts. January Blues Buster: Warm up dreary winter days with a winery marketing campaign focused on bold reds and bubbly wines paired with hearty recipes. Dry January Wellness Kits: Stay on-trend with non-alcoholic bundles featuring sparkling water, herbal teas, and a voucher for tastings next month. Super Bowl Prep: Fo

Afternoon Brief: The Annual SVB State of the Industry Survey Is Closing

These are the final days to participate in the 2024 State of the Industry Survey. We have a soft close scheduled for Friday the 18th but have decided to leave the survey open for stragglers through the weekend...

The production site is the second site for the Food&Beverage division in Italy after the acquisition of CCL Specialty Pouches in Brunello Novi Ligure, Italy – CCL Industries, a world leader in specialty label, security and packaging solutions, announced the opening of a new production site in Novi Ligure in northern Italy. It will mainly cater to the local Spirits & Beverage industry that is present with strong brands. Reinhard Streit, vice president and managing director Food & Beverage stated: “We are looking forward to grow our footprint in Italy – bringing our expertise from our global production network to a local level. We see great potential in servicing world-famous wine and spirits brands locally where there is a high demand for premium and high-embellished labels. CCL has always been a leader in well-crafted product decoration and state-of-the-art printing technology – so this is a great fit for the region.” CCL will produce Pressur