Five years ago, running a winery on Shopify meant duct-taping a lot of things together. Great for e-commerce. Okay for DTC. Difficult for wine clubs. Not really designed for tasting rooms. That's changed. The combination of Shopify's platform investments and a handful of wine-specific apps has created something genuinely new: a single operational stack that connects your tasting room, your wine club, your online store, and your loyalty program under one customer record. That convergence has real operational consequences — and it's why an increasing number of wineries are consolidating everything onto Shopify. Here's what's actually different. Your Card on File, Finally Done Right One very frustrating limitation of running a winery business on Shopify used to be simple: Shopify didn't let you vault a customer's payment card and charge it later for anything other than a subscription — not from your POS or your back office or sales team for one-tim

Most wineries don’t have a promotion volume problem. They have a promotion design problem. When you look closely at wineries delivering strong margins alongside steady consumer sales growth, patterns start to appear. Not because those promotions are trendy or copied from competitors, but because they are intentionally designed to drive revenue while protecting long-term customer behavior and brand value. Modern promotion strategy is not about running more campaigns. It is about structuring incentives that influence how, when, and why customers buy. Across the strongest performing wineries, promotions are increasingly treated as part of the revenue model rather than just part of the marketing calendar. They shape demand, influence order composition, and support long-term customer value. Why Promotion Strategy Is Really Revenue Strategy Promotions are no longer just marketing tactics. They are one of the most controllable levers inside a winery’s DTC P&L. For most wineri

This blog post summarizes the process by which licensed wineries can obtain local government approval for events in Napa County held pursuant to their California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) Type 93 Estate Tasting Permit. As discussed in our prior post, last year Governor Newsom signed into law AB720, granting California wineries that hold an ABC Type 02 winery license the ability to host events, up to 36 times per year, where they exercise tasting room privileges for wine manufactured by or for the winery on either: (1) property adjacent to the licensed premises or (2) a nonadjacent vineyard provided that such property or vineyard is owned by or under the control of the winery. (Cal. Bus. Prof. Code 23399.03.) Neither ABC nor Napa County have provided guidance as to what degree or proof of “control” is required. Under AB 720, these new Type 93 estate tasting events are also subject to local land use controls that can “restrict, but no

Alexander Valley, CA — April 2026 — This April, Alexander Valley Winegrowers invite wine lovers—both new and experienced—to slow down, sip freely, and reconnect with the heart of wine country during TASTE Alexander Valley: Back to Our Roots, a month-long celebration of wine, hospitality, and genuine connection.  Running throughout the entire month of April, TASTE Alexander Valley offers a rare opportunity to experience the region without the usual barriers of tasting fees. Participating wineries will provide complimentary tastings, welcoming guests to explore at their own pace while engaging directly with the growers, winemakers, and owners who define Alexander Valley.  “TASTE Alexander Valley is about removing the barriers that often keep people from exploring wine,” said Jessie Vallery, Executive Director of Alexander Valley Winegrowers. “Whether you’re just starting to learn about wine, or you love tasting but are tired

This April, we’re going Back to Basics, Back to Our Roots — welcoming you to experience Alexander Valley the way it’s meant to be enjoyed. This April, the Alexander Valley Winegrowers invite you to return to the heart of wine country with TASTE Alexander Valley – Back to Basics, Back to Our Roots, a month-long celebration of wine, hospitality, and connection. No appointments needed, just show up, and try something new! For the entire month of April, participating wineries will offer complimentary tastings or exclusive 2-for-1 tasting experiences, along with 10% off wine purchases. It’s an invitation to explore wineries you’ve never visited, meet the winemakers and growers, and reconnect with the joy of sharing a glass of wine — without the barrier of traditional tasting fees. Our “Back to Basics, Back to Our Roots” approach focuses on what makes Alexander Valley special: genuine hospitality, open conversations, and wo

Over thirty-five years of crafting wine bottle labels in Napa Valley has taught us something essential: wine packaging trends aren’t just about following fashion – they’re about understanding how design psychology translates into purchasing decisions. When a winery invests in thoughtful packaging, they’re not just decorating bottles; they’re building brand equity that drives measurable sales growth. If you’re looking for insight into where packaging is headed and how it shapes the customer experience, we invite you to read along. Here’s a glimpse of what we cover: Why Wine Packaging Design Drives Sales for Wineries – How packaging functions as a silent sales team and the shift from shelf appeal to brand storytelling. How Packaging Impacts First-Time vs. Repeat Purchases – What captures new buyers’ attention and keeps loyal customers coming back. Segmenting Wine Consumers by Packaging Preferences – What different dem

The Post-Harvest Drop-Off Fall brings a flurry of activity to wine country. Tasting rooms fill with eager visitors, social media buzzes with harvest photos, and the energy is palpable. Then November arrives, and for many wineries, engagement plummets. According to Silicon Valley Bank's 2024 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Survey, the average winery converts less than 15% of harvest event attendees into repeat customers by year-end. This represents an enormous missed opportunity. The wineries that thrive year-round don't view harvest as a seasonal peak but as the starting point of a strategic customer journey.  Harvest Is Your Customer Acquisition Funnel Stop thinking of harvest events as isolated experiences and start viewing them as the top of your sales funnel. Smart consumer brands recognize that seasonal events provide a prime opportunity to collect valuable customer data while creating memorable brand experiences. These touchpoints become the first step in an ongoing relat

Learn what to look for and identify potential risks on your existing tanks. Repair, replace and expand your winery with the help of the professionals at Westec. Come see us in WIN Expo booth 401 for more details about our new Maintenance and Service program.  Need tanks and catwalks? We're ready to build whatever you need. Sump carts in stock. Spin handles, eyebolts, gaskets and everything else you would need to get your tanks modernized. We are ready to schedule your 12 point tank inspection and guide your team to a safer, cleaner cellar. Register for a free trade show floor pass with our promo code: WES410 About Westec From start to finish engineering of tanks, catwalks, pads, embeds, layout and installation, wineries have relied on Westec for more than thirty years to do it all. Westec's experience brings you the latest design ideas and labor-saving techniques. Our knowledge of city and county building codes will assist you in designing your facility work spac

5 Ways Your Winery Can Strengthen Customer Connections (and Sales) This Holiday Season 5 Ways Your Winery Can Strengthen Customer Connections (and Sales) This Holiday Season The holidays aren’t just busy, they’re your best chance to turn quick questions into lasting loyalty. Today’s shoppers are scrolling on phones, not standing at the tasting bar. The wineries winning December bring tasting-room warmth online with guest-first DTC moves. 1 Real-time webchat Turn Browsers into Buyers with Real-Time Webchat Bring hospitality to your website: help gift-givers pick the right bottle, answer shipping questions, and keep carts from drifting. RedChirp integrates with vinSUITE, so conversations save to the customer profile for thoughtful follow-ups and personalized offers. Prompt ideas for staff: Who is the gift for? What’s the budget? Red, white, or sparkling? Favorite foods? Learn more: RedChirp • vinSUITE eCommerce 2 Segmentation Reconnect with the Customers Who

The California legislature recently amended the California recycling labeling requirements for wine and spirits containers, making it significantly easier for wineries and distilleries to comply. The new law, AB 720, extended the deadlines for complying with the labeling requirements and authorized the use of QR codes for CRV compliance. Here are the specifics: The deadline by when all wine and spirits containers in the marketplace must have CRV labeling has been extended a year, from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026. The cut-off date for the permanent exemption of already labeled containers from CRV requirements has been extended 18 months, from January 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025. Now, any containers filled and labeled without CRV markings before July 1, 2025 will not need any additional labeling to be compliant, even if sold after July 1, 2026. Wineries and distilleries may now use half-inch high QR codes for CRV compliance. This creates an important precedent for other states to follow. W