In March 2026, the TTB issued guidance on the use of AI-generated imagery in alcohol beverage advertising (read it here). The short version: AI-generated images used in alcohol marketing must comply with existing labeling and advertising regulations, including accurate representation of the product. This sounds obvious. But there's a nuance worth understanding if you're choosing how to produce your product imagery this year. The guidance applies broadly to any imagery categorized as AI-generated. The practical question it raises is how closely your vendor's process is anchored to your actual product. There's a meaningful difference between two approaches. A tool that generates a "wine bottle" from a text prompt or a rough photo produces something invented. A plausible bottle, not a representation of your real label, your specific closure, or your actual container. Whether it looks convincing is a separate question from whether it accurately represents your pro

Cyber Week Winery Marketing: Planning Smarter, Selling Stronger Cyber Week is almost here, and consumers are primed to buy. For wineries, it’s not just a chance to move inventory — it’s a chance to win new fans, reward loyal members, and end the year strong. The goal isn’t simply to discount — it’s to strategically position value, create urgency, and make buying feel effortless. Whether you’re a small family-run tasting room or a multi-location brand, these proven strategies will help you get the most out of the week. 1. Build Anticipation Before the Week Begins Cyber Week success starts long before Friday. The wineries that win start warming up their audience early — building curiosity, boosting email sign-ups, and reminding people why they love their brand. Ideas to get the buzz going: Add a countdown banner or homepage teaser with “Our biggest offer of the year starts soon.” Send a “save the date” email to your

What makes Enolytics different from any other reporting platform? It’s a fair enough question, and we’re always glad to respond. Lately we’ve been starting with this graphic, of what’s above and below the surface when it comes to wine data. It’s like an iceberg in the ocean. The “tip of the iceberg,” above the surface of the water, is what most wineries see and use when it comes to data: dashboards, reporting, and benchmarking. But these elements, while essential, merely scratch the surface of what data can reveal about a wine business’ health and growth. Those things report, yes, but on sales that have already happened in the past. Notice the penguin at the top of the graphic! Which is appropriate enough: they’re comfortable and familiar there, but hardly adventurous or trail-blazing. It’s what lies beneath the surface — the deeper insights — that are vast and transformative. Growth-oriented, and forwar

A WINERY GUIDE TO AVAILABLE RESEARCH You know what’s better than spending ten grand on a focus group where Jan from accounting tells you your wine label “feels aggressive”? Doing your homework first. And no, we don’t mean journaling your feelings over a glass of Pinot. We mean secondary research—the overlooked, underloved MVP of marketing insight. While everyone else is out there reinventing the wheel with a clipboard and a budget they don’t actually have, smart marketers are quietly unlocking industry goldmines using data that’s already been collected. It’s like discovering your neighbor’s Wi-Fi is open and they happen to stream all the same shows you like—only more legal. Let’s break down this not-so-secret weapon. THE BOUGIE STUFF: COMMERCIAL SUBSCRIPTION DATA If you’ve got champagne dreams and a caviar budget, welcome to the gated community of NielsenIQ, IRI, Forrester, and Gartner. These firms offer beautif

Facebook/Meta: Turning Fans into Wine Club Members Expanding on insights from our Wine Club Scorecard, this post explores one of the most underused yet powerful tools for wine club growth: Facebook. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram often grab attention, Facebook remains one of the most effective drivers of wine club engagement and conversion when paired with Meta’s advanced targeting and advertising tools. With 72% of wine consumers aged 35–65 actively using Facebook, this is not just a social network—it’s an opportunity to build real relationships, deepen loyalty, and guide new members into your wine club. Yet most wineries still treat Facebook as a newsfeed instead of a growth engine. Sporadic posts, static bottle shots, and low engagement can’t compete with a thoughtful strategy that uses Facebook the way it was meant to be used: to connect, converse, and convert. Let’s explore how to turn Facebook into a true wine club acquisition chann

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

Join us tomorrow for eCELLAR's The Pulse Presents:  AI in Action – Tools, Tips, and What’s Next with Andreas Mueller-Schubert Event Date: 10/01/2025 @ 9AM Location: Zoom webinar RSVP Discover practical AI tips and tools for everyday business success with Andreas Mueller-Schubert AI is not just coming - it’s already here, reshaping how we all work and make decisions. In this practical and conversational eCELLAR's The Pulse session, AI expert Andreas Mueller-Schubert will explore how AI is transforming businesses of all sizes, especially in areas like marketing, operations, and team productivity. We’ll talk about the opportunities (and challenges), tools that are actually useful today, and what it means to stay competitive in a world where the edge goes to those who use AI well. No jargon, no hype, just a real conversation with someone who’s helping businesses make AI work for them. Andreas Mueller-Schubert is Managing Partner at WSI Next Gen

Discover practical AI tips and tools for everyday business success with Andreas Mueller-Schubert AI is not just coming - it’s already here, reshaping how we all work and make decisions. In this practical and conversational eCELLAR's The Pulse session, AI expert Andreas Mueller-Schubert will explore how AI is transforming businesses of all sizes, especially in areas like marketing, operations, and team productivity. We’ll talk about the opportunities (and challenges), tools that are actually useful today, and what it means to stay competitive in a world where the edge goes to those who use AI well. No jargon, no hype, just a real conversation with someone who’s helping businesses make AI work for them. Andreas Mueller-Schubert is Managing Partner at WSI Next Gen Marketing, a Napa-based digital agency that works closely with many local wineries and small businesses. With past leadership roles at Microsoft and Siemens, Andreas brings a strong background in global te

Gifters! Let’s talk about this segment of your DTC database, who purchase wine as gifts for others — including family, friends, co-workers, colleagues and clients. Gifters “gift” year-round, but we’re heading into the heaviest (holiday) season of all for this particular kind of wine DTC behavior. On average, between 10 and 15% of all November wine DTC orders, and between 20% and 25% of all December wine DTC orders, are GIFTS? Which means that October-November-December is an ideal time to focus on gifters, and finish your year strong. Some of you are ahead of the curve, and factor your outreach to gifters into your annual marketing plan. That’s awesome. If you’re new to thinking about your winery’s gifters, or even if you’d like to polish the program a bit, let me share a few tips that we hope will help. Identify high-value corporate gifters in your own database. Narrow your database to those customers who have placed a high volume

By the Copper Peak TeamThe OND (holiday) season is fast approaching, and now is the time to lay the groundwork for a smooth, successful holiday shipping experience. At Copper Peak Logistics, our shipping experts have shared their top strategies to help wineries and DTC brands get ahead—before the rush begins. Amanda Castorena and Mike Galvan have pulled together some tips and a checklist to help you stay on track! 1. Finalize Gifting and Kitting Plans Early Corporate gifting and seasonal kits are high-impact, but they require extra components like branded packaging, glassware, and printed collateral. Ordering these items now ensures you won’t face delays later when demand spikes. 2. Lock in Your Shipping Calendar Submit club setup forms and finalize ship dates for the rest of the year. Mondays are already filling up, and blackout dates are creeping in. Build in extra transit time to account for seasonal delays and avoid last-minute surprises. 3. Refresh Your Marketing Mater