Your next customer will see your winery before they ever taste your wine. They'll see it on Instagram while planning a weekend trip. They'll see it on your website while deciding whether to book a reservation. They'll see it in an email while considering whether your wine club is worth joining. And in every one of those moments, they're making a decision based on what your visuals tell them about who you are. This isn't a trend. It's how people buy now. According to a 2023 study by Cloudinary and Harris Poll, 75% of online shoppers say product photos are the most influential factor in their purchase decisions. That number holds across categories, and it holds in wine. The difference is that wineries aren't just selling a product. They're selling an experience, a place, a feeling. Which means your visual content has to do more work than a product shot on a white background. It has to make someone want to be there. Most wineries know this on some level. Fe

As the wine industry reels following a string of economic setbacks, it has been hoping for a rebound. Conversations swirl around whether the sales decline is slowing or if a portfolio realignment to focus on premium wines could reposition the brand for success among consumers who are drinking less. Cure-alls for capturing the Gen Z and Millennial consumer abound, along with Instagrammable images of happy young women in hats. Technological innovation thrives, bringing solutions and automating processes from weeding to bottling and streamlining online direct-to-consumer sales. Almost all the worries are real, and experimentation is essential. But, in the end, wine is a nuts and bolts business. Winery owners tally up the costs and the sales revenue at the end of the harvest season and set about readjusting as necessary. Lately, the costs have been outstripping the profits at a greater rate than ever. It’s why we see dead vines and bare earth where vineyards were thriving yesterday a

As Q1 closes, emerging trends in marketing technology are pointing to one consistent theme: intentionality. According to a recent Angelsmith report, successful wineries are trimming the fat from their messages and focusing on clarity, relevance, and timing—especially in how they use email, social media, and SMS. Email campaigns are performing best when subject lines are kept to 2–4 words. Mobile-first readers want scannable content, and when paired with a compelling preview text, short headlines can significantly lift open rates. A/B testing is no longer optional—it’s a must-have tactic, even for smaller wine brands. In social media, the rise of short-form video continues. Platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok reward creators who post content natively within the app. Cross-posted, watermarked videos are seeing reduced reach, so a shift toward platform-specific content is paying off. Additionally, quality is overtaking quantity—engagement is now more ab

Seasonality isn’t just about weather; it’s about mindset. Your customers’ buying habits shift with the seasons, and the wineries that understand how to tap into those rhythms are the ones that thrive. From cozy winter nights to sun-soaked summer afternoons, each season offers unique opportunities to connect with your audience, tell your story, and drive wine club sign-ups. But here’s the truth: seasonal promotions don’t work if they’re slapped together at the last minute. A well-planned campaign, anchored by your website and supported by social media and paid media, can turn slow months into sales booms and casual visitors into loyal club members. The Seasons Are Already Telling a Story Each season comes with its own energy, its own needs, and its own story. Your job is to align your campaigns with those rhythms, tapping into the emotions and experiences your customers are already craving. Winter: Comfort, warmth, and togetherness. Think bold reds,

From blog posts and email campaigns to Instagram Reels and virtual tastings, the content you create sets the tone for how people discover, engage with, and connect to your winery. Great content isn’t just filler for your website or social media—it’s a powerhouse tool for growing your winery’s audience, converting casual visitors into loyal wine club members, and driving revenue.  Even better, content works double-duty: it supports inbound marketing, by attracting new customers who find you organically, and outbound marketing, by amplifying your message through ads, email, and other promotional efforts. Whether you’re sharing your winemaking journey, crafting a how-to wine pairing guide, or highlighting your latest release, well-planned content is key to building your brand and boosting your sales. Here’s how to create winery content that attracts, engages, and converts your audience into loyal customers and club members. What Is Inbound Marketi

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

As the busiest time of year for wineries approaches, it’s critical to plan ahead for the holiday season, specifically the OND period (October, November, December). With so many opportunities—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's—wineries need to strategically market to capture sales and build lasting customer relationships. Here’s a detailed guide, based on our Holiday Marketing Webinar, to help you create campaigns that will maximize your success this holiday season. Why Holiday Marketing is Critical for Wineries The holiday season often represents the most lucrative time of year for wineries, with up to 30% or more of annual sales generated during OND. This period provides opportunities for increased engagement, new customer acquisition, and deeper loyalty with existing customers. The biggest reason for the spike in holiday sales is the gifting mindset. During the holidays, customers are not only buying for themselves but als

Lange Twins has implemented individual regenerative practices but now they are asking, what would happen if they stacked them? Kendra Altnow, Sustainability Manager at Lange Twins Family Winery & Vineyards and a 5th generation Lange shares Project Terra. The goals are to increase biodiversity, build and enrich the soil and improve watersheds through shifting farming practices, restoration, and conservation. They are accomplishing this through grazing livestock, establishing permeant ground cover, reducing tillage, improving native habitat, and reducing reliance on herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. LISTEN IN Resources:         REGISTER | June 12, 2024 : Regenerative Agriculture in a Production Vineyard 2.0 Tailgate 121: Regenerative Agriculture (Rebroadcast) BIFS Field Day Cover Cropping and Livestock Grazing for Regenerative Agriculture Blue Point Conservation Science California Department of Farming and Agriculture Center for Land Based Learning Commun

Social media for wineries, a crucial aspect of marketing, can be challenging for many small to medium-sized businesses. Often, the responsibility for managing social media and other marketing efforts is shared among employees who juggle multiple roles within the winery or are outsourced to external agencies. This guide aims to simplify social media strategies, providing actionable insights and tips for achieving success in 2024. 1. Engage Your Audience and Build a Social Media Community Your social media platforms should feel like a welcoming place for wine enthusiasts. A strong online community enhances brand loyalty and transforms casual followers into brand loyalists. Regularly interacting with your audience–through responding to comments, engaging with similar accounts, and hosting live events and behind-the-scenes content–should be a cornerstone of your social media strategy. Being engaged in the social media world doesn’t have to take up all of your time, but i

As we step into 2024, envisioning the path ahead for wineries sparks anticipation. Drawing inspiration from the success stories of top-performing wine brands in 2023 and the evolving wine industry trends, we’ve compiled a set of strategies to guide your winery through the year ahead, boosting your wine sales in 2024. Read on for insights into 2023’s achievements, additional trends to watch in 2024, and discover actionable steps to ensure success in the upcoming year. 1. Connecting with Customers: Beyond the Tasting Room In a digital age, connecting with consumers requires a personal touch—a lesson learned from 2023’s high-performing wine brands. Social media platforms are not just promotional tools; they’re windows into the soul of your winery. Authentic storytelling becomes crucial, providing a genuine glimpse behind the scenes. Embracing personalized virtual tastings and interactive events builds not just brand awareness but a community, aligning seamle