Over the Christmas/New Year break, we took our own advice to heart and migrated to odoo for our own consulting business. Over the last few months as we've been building out our odoo for Wine offering and roadmap, we have been looking at the approximately 80 apps/modules that come with standard odoo. We started to realize that several covered functionality that we were managing in several separate apps and systems, so asked ourselves, why aren't we running odoo ourselves? We didn't have a good reason as to why not, so we decided to do exactly that - migrate from several disparate systems to odoo and starting drinking our own champagne. A pleasant surprise, although perhaps it shouldn't have been, is that we're saving on annual subscriptions as well. Here are the functions and systems we've moved off and are now running out of odoo. Waveapps: Accounting, Invoicing, Payments. Our main book-keeping system; had to manually enter invoice hours and expenses. Avaza :

When you think of a tractor, do you picture the sturdy, hardworking machine of the past or today’s powerful, modern marvel? For wineries, cideries, and fruit farmers, tractors symbolize the bridge between nature and craft. But how does this relate to marketing? Tractor symbolism can be marketing gold. Let’s explore this through two brands our team has worked on, illustrating how the old and new of the tractor world can inspire marketing. Built to Last: The Legacy of Road 13 In 2008, Pam & Mick Luckhurst sought to rebrand their winery, originally named Golden Mile Cellars. Our team discovered that “It’s All About The Dirt” was a core value, which became the foundation for a new brand. The heart of this brand was the tractor Mick drove through the vineyard, accompanied by his dogs. This rebrand transformed the winery into a standout on shelves and a household name for wine lovers in BC. The enduring presence of the tractor reflects its timeless appeal.

Two K Farms Cidery and Winery 2022 Bubbly Riesling Takes Top Honors November 15, 2024 — Winners have been announced in the 2024 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition. After two spirited days of judging,Two K Farms Cidery and Winery 2022 Bubbly Riesling took the top prize. It was also awarded Best of Show Sparkling Wine. Coming in at 97 points, judges praised the wine for its “Mouth watering citrus and honeysuckle”; “Lingering tropical finish”; and “Perfect bubbles.” They also called it “Well balanced.” With a record number of entries from across the globe, the Harvest Challenge bases judging on a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions and grapes that combine to give personality to the wine. In other competitions, terroir is ignored. At the Harvest Challenge, judges taste wines alongside other wines of the same appellation. W

*Insert cheesy quote about how fast time flies…*  In all seriousness, 2023 has been a blur and full of exciting challenges and opportunities in the world of marketing for the wine and beverage industry.  Here is a look back at all the expert tips we’ve shared throughout the year to help wineries and wine brands elevate their marketing and branding that remain relevant as we enter the New Year:  Branding & PR Press Kit vs Media Kit - Make sure you have the right information for the intended audience. What is a brand refresh? - The short answer is that it’s a makeover for your company.  Experiential Marketing & Emerging Trends Elevating Wineries with Virtual Reality (VR) - The Ultimate Guide - Transport your customers into the enchanting world of winemaking and cider production through immersive virtual reality experiences.   Experiences that Your Winery Audience are sure to LOVE! - Two ways to create engaging, memorable experiences

To quote English poet John Keats, “Nothing is ever real till it is experienced.” Here are two ways to create engaging, memorable experiences for your winery or cidery audience that will make a lasting impression: 1. Pop-up Tasting Events Surprise and delight your audience by coordinating pop-up tasting events in unexpected locations. Set up temporary tasting stations in bustling city centers, popular parks, or unique venues, attracting passersby with the allure of a spontaneous tasting experience. This innovative approach allows you to reach a broader audience and create buzz around your brand. TIME Family of Wines tasting with the McWatters Collection 2. Bespoke Wine or Cider Experiences Offer personalized, bespoke wine or cider experiences tailored to individual customers' preferences. Allow people to create their own blends, participate in the winemaking process, or design custom labels for special occasions. By providing a one-of-a-kind experience, you not only

On the lookout for creative inspiration to elevate your winery or cidery’s next marketing campaign? From collaborating with like-minded industry leaders to generating interactive content, read on to learn how: TIP #1: Collaborative Limited Editions Team up with other wineries or cideries to create collaborative limited-edition products. This can involve joint production, blending, or aging processes, resulting in unique and exclusive offerings that are only available for a limited time. Collaborations not only attract attention, but also foster a sense of community among wine and cider enthusiasts. Blasted Church limited edition wines in celebration of 20th anniversary TIP #2: Interactive Social Media Campaigns Go beyond standard social media posts by creating interactive campaigns that encourage user participation. Launch contests or challenges that prompt your audience to share their wine or cider stories, recipes, or pairing suggestions. Incorporate user-generated content

In a saturated market where traditional marketing techniques are commonplace and it seems like everything has been done, finding truly innovative ways to promote your winery or cidery in British Columbia can be a challenge. However, by embracing emerging trends, you can captivate your audience and leave a lasting impression.   1. Augmented Reality (AR) Labels Revolutionize your bottle labels with augmented reality technology. By integrating AR elements into your labels, you can bring them to life with interactive content, such as 3D animations, educational videos, or tasting notes. This interactive approach adds a touch of magic to your products and enhances the overall consumer experience. 2. Gamification Tap into the growing trend of gamification to engage and entertain your audience. Gamification is applying some elements of game playing (like point scoring, competition with others, rules of play) to other areas of activity, typically as an online marketing technique to encoura

Transport your customers into the enchanting world of winemaking and cider production through immersive virtual reality experiences. How to do this: create virtual tours that allow visitors to explore your vineyards or orchards, witness the production process, and even participate in virtual tastings. VR experiences provide a novel way to engage with consumers. 1. Virtual Vineyard or Orchard Tours Invite your customers on a virtual journey through your vineyards or orchards. Through VR headsets or even smartphone apps, they can explore landscapes, wander between rows of vines or trees, and admire breathtaking vistas. Incorporate interactive elements such as informational hotspots or guided narrations to provide educational insights about the terroir, varieties, or cultivation practices. By virtually transporting the audience to the heart of your winery or cidery, you can create a sense of connection and intrigue. 2. Immersive Production Process Take customers behind-the-scenes with a

Las Positas Vineyards’ 2020 Albariño Takes Top Honors February 14, 2022 — The 2022 International Eastern Wine Competition and West Coast Wine Competition match-up has announced Las Positas Vineyards (Livermore Valley, Calif.) 2020 Albariño as the Best of the Best…of the Best. This is the first Albariño to ever win this competition. This two-pronged contest first chooses winners in the separate International Eastern Wine Competition and West Coast Wine Competition (see parameters below), before the top wines from each are pitted against each other in an East Meets West Taste Off. Traditionally grown on the Iberian Peninsula, Albariño is a white grape loved for its rich stone fruit flavors, hint of salinity and zippy acidity. Described by judges as “fruit cocktail, “nicely spiced” and “very balanced with a long pleasing finish,” the Las Positas Albariño met the challenge and bested all-comers. Other Best