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

Wine clubs have long been the backbone of direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. But with shifting consumer expectations and the rise of subscription culture, from streaming services to meal kits, wineries are rethinking the traditional club. Subscription models promise flexibility for customers, stability for wineries, and in many cases, less operational strain. We asked four leading technology providers (Awtomic, Commerce7, OrderPort, and VinSuite) to share their insights on how wineries can successfully add or adapt subscriptions. We also gathered a few winery examples to show how creative models are being used today. This list is in no way exhaustive, there are many winery DTC software/SaaS providers with options, and the landscape is continuously evolving. For a deeper dive, check out this article by WineBusiness Monthly with all the providers, trends, and a very helpful comparison chart. What Are Wine Subscriptions? At their core, wine subscriptions are a modern twist on the tradi

Off-Season, On Point: Essential Prep for Superior Grapevines A new season is just around the corner! As we enter Fall, our off-season presents the opportunity for our nursery to reflect, recharge, and prepare for the coming year. To ensure a successful start, here are just a few of the essential preparations that take place when we aren’t producing vines. These measures are designed to ensure that we are fully equipped for the new season and to maintain our commitment to providing the healthiest vines for our partners.  Farming Virus Sampling We test over 120k vines each year to ensure Sunridge vines have well over a 99% statistical confidence of being virus free. No other nursery comes close to this level of testing. Dropping Fruit By removing the vine clusters from our scion mother blocks, and channeling all the vine’s energy into growth, we ensure the production of robust canes for optimal wood harvesting.  Replants & Increase Blocks I

In Napa, every decision counts. Jacob Hernandez and Jon from Drop Point Automation are working alongside vineyard growers to ensure their automation is running smoothly and making a difference. We know how demanding the grape industry is, but with the right insights, you can make informed decisions and take control of your operation. Irrigate your irrigation the right way with WiseConn.

“Our role as vineyard managers is to bring uniformity to chaos.” In this video, Phil Coturri shares how WiseConn’s primary and secondary irrigation systems have transformed water management in his vineyard. With seamless control and the unique duality of the system, WiseConn stands apart—delivering efficiency and precision his vineyard can truly feel. Installation by Drop Point Automation

Eco-Friendly Small Businesses: Guide to Handle Waste Sustainability When it comes to creating small business sustainability goals, you may think you have to go big or go home. But bigger isn’t necessarily better   With mounting global environmental challenges, small businesses face increasing pressure to adopt eco-friendly practices. The popular misconception is that sustainable changes must be huge to make an impact. But the truth is modest shifts in habits can significantly reduce a company's carbon footprint, especially when it comes to recycling and waste. Half of all consumers are ready to invest more in sustainable brands according to the National Retail Federation.  Let's explore some actionable steps small businesses can take to reduce, reuse and recycle. Embrace Sustainable Packaging For businesses that rely heavily on e-commerce, every parcel shipped is an opportunity to advocate for sustainability. Shift from plastic-based packaging to recyclable mate

Meet Roy Chapin, proprietor of 4 Wind Winery. 🌟 In this video, Roy shares how WiseConn’s irrigation technology has brought precision and control to his vineyards in the renowned Stags Leap District. Thanks to installation and service by our trusted dealer, Drop Point Automation in Napa, Roy’s vineyard management has reached new heights. Hear his story and see how our solutions make a difference! 🍇💧

Afternoon Brief, June 21st

A Look at Antinori’s Purchase of Washington’s Col Solare: “The fact that Piero Antinori feels like this is a gem that he wants within his family, I think it speaks volumes to what Washington has done, especially as it relates to luxury wines,” says Juan Muñoz-Oca, chief operating officer of Antinori USA.

Recent statistics may have some experts predicting a less-than-rosy outlook for the global wine market this year, but since 2020, DTC sales have been bucking trends and innovators like RedChirp® are the primary reason why. RedChirp, founded by a team of SaaS entrepreneurs dedicated to helping small and medium businesses compete, specializes in helping highly regulated companies realize the efficacy and power of text messaging. Last month RedChirp released a jaw-dropping report that documented a staggering $50.6 million in non-club wine sales was generated as a direct result of SMS bulk messaging promotional campaigns in 2023. “To get that number, we analyzed data from 174 wineries that sent 4,894 bulk text messages to 4,338,837 recipients and calculated the non-club sales that resulted within 14 days of receiving the text,” explains RedChirp Founder Jennie Gilbert. “It underscores the importance of adopting this type of technology. Wineries who don’t wi