Everywhere you look right now—Hallmark Channel, Netflix, social media—it’s Christmas in July. And while most people are watching cozy movies and pretending it’s snowing outside, here’s a better question for wineries: Are you ready for your holiday season? October, November, and December (OND) are your biggest sales months of the year. Holiday winery marketing doesn’t start in October—it starts now. They’re sprinting through Q3—right now—while everyone else is still daydreaming about hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies… you’ve got rosé in your glass and wine bundles to plan. 1. Clean Up Your Data — Because Bad Data Costs You Money This isn’t just about removing bounced emails. Bad data quietly drains OND revenue by blocking you from segmenting, targeting, or even reaching your customers. Your Move: Export your full email list (now, not later). Use ChatGPT to help spot typos like gmaii.com in

Over two years we released 30 online courses that garnered 526 total views in the Sustainable Winegrowing On-Demand online course grant project! Here's what Participants had to Say: "The Sustainable Winegrowing on Demand course is thoughtfully created and packed with valuable insights. The content is thorough and practical, providing useful knowledge that’s both relevant and immediately applicable." - Thomas Crottogini, Helena Agri-Enterprises "The quality of the content and the flexibility of the online platform are awesome. Super interesting and useful; easy to access." Winegrape Farmer, Paso Robles, California Final Survey Results 94% want more courses Top 3 reasons for taking courses:59% - Improve sustainability 56% - DPR hours 52% - To learn for future projects Top 3 future topics:Soil health Pest/disease management Vineyard development Note on CE Hours: We understand that the quiz length, inability to fast forward, and need to click to continue ca

It’s the same conversation in boardrooms, discussion boards, symposiums, and industry reports: “Younger consumers just aren’t drinking wine like previous generations.” Sure, the concern is valid. But the narrative misses key nuances. The reality is that younger consumers are still just that—young. Their drinking habits, lifestyle priorities, and financial realities don’t yet match those of past generations at the same life stage. But instead of writing off Gen Z or younger Millennials, the wine industry needs to adjust its approach. The traditional playbook doesn’t account for how younger consumers live, what they value, or how they engage with brands. If wineries want to stay relevant, it’s time to rewrite the script. 1. Younger Consumers Will Age Into Wine—Just Like Boomers Did A common misstep in the industry’s current panic is comparing a 23-year-old Gen Zer to a 45-year-old Gen Xer. The latter has had decades to develop

Let's Make Sure You're Covered For Black Friday / Cyber Monday Navigating BFCM can be very challenging. From figuring out what you can offer to setting up the infrastructure to run it, to marketing the event itself, there’s a lot to figure out! Not to mention that this is one of the most competitive marketing events of the entire year. This simple quiz asks the key questions necessary to understand if your website and marketing are prepared for BFCM. In no time, we’ll help identify any areas that you may need to shore up so you’re covered when BFCM starts. The Quiz Covers: What To Include (And Delete!) From Your Landing Page How To Assess Your Mobile Friendliness How Many Emails Your Should Be Sending Important Tactics For Building Your Email List Advertising Strategies That Work The Role Social Proof Should Play On Your Page Customer Support Must-Haves Timing Your Campaign For Maximum Results Discount Strategies That Work ... And More! Click Here To Take Th

With so many wineries vying for customer attention, personalization in marketing is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Tailoring your marketing efforts to meet the individual preferences and behaviors of your customers improves loyalty and enhances their overall experience with your brand. Personalization is now woven into everyday interactions, from the ads we see on social media to the offers we receive from our favorite brands and wineries are no exception. For wineries, personalized marketing is a powerful tool that can drive customer loyalty, increase engagement, and grow wine club memberships. In this article, we’ll discuss how to implement personalized marketing for customers of all ages and at every stage of the purchasing journey. Building Stronger Customer Relationships Through Personalization While Millennials and Gen Z have made headlines for demanding authentic, personalized experiences from brands, older generations have also grown accustomed to perso

The 2024 Olympics will take place in Paris, France, one of the most iconic wine regions in the world, and is a fantastic opportunity for wineries to boost sales and engage customers. With the event right around the corner, here are some fun and practical ways to make the most of this global spectacle. These tips will help you create both in-person and virtual experiences that can drive wine sales and create memorable interactions. 1. Host an Open Night Ceremony: “Open the Bottle Night” Align your event with the Olympic opening ceremony and invite your audience to open a special bottle of your wine. Use email campaigns and social media to spread the word. Encourage participants to share photos and videos on social media with a specific hashtag, such as #OpenTheBottleNight or #SipForGold. Organize a live virtual toast via Zoom or Instagram Live, inviting a local athlete or wine expert to lead the toast and share a few words about your wines and the 2024 Olympics. Enhance the

ALL ABOUT ACQUISITION & DATA With summer here we've wrapped up the winter/spring conferences. This year we’ve noticed two trends. First, every conference seems to have at least one session on the importance of understanding your customer. If there is anything we’ve learned since COVID is that customers are precious and treating them with deliberate consideration with the goal of fostering a genuine connection with your audience not only helps you with the immediate sale at hand but saves you time and money on future sales. Then how do you explain the second noticeable theme this year which is the continual chorus of wineries looking to acquire customers? How are these two seemingly unrelated threads tied together? The answer lies in the insight that to find the right consumers externally, you need to be aware of who your best customers are internally. Here are five key tips and best practices to help you create and foster a genuine connection with your audience to e

We've made it through the gauntlet of annual conferences that dot the calendar from January – May each year. This year we’ve noticed two trends. First, every conference seems to have at least one session on the importance of understanding your customer. If there is anything we’ve learned since COVID is that customers are precious and treating them with deliberate consideration with the goal of fostering a genuine connection with your audience not only helps you with the immediate sale at hand but saves you time and money on future sales. ALL ABOUT ACQUISITION & DATA Then how do you explain the second noticeable theme this year which is the continual chorus of wineries looking to acquire customers? How are these two seemingly unrelated threads tied together? The answer lies in the insight that to find the right consumers externally, you need to be aware of who your best customers are internally. Here are five key tips and best practices to help you create and

     Wine Road Unveils Exciting New Ambassador Program to Celebrate Sonoma County!  For Immediate Release  February 15, 2024  Northern Sonoma County, CA – It's not just any road; it's the Wine Road! We're thrilled to announce a new way for wine lovers, educators, and hospitality heroes to dive deep into the world of Sonoma County's liquid treasures. Drumroll, please... introducing the Wine Road Ambassador Program! 🍇🎉  Almost as rich as a glass of vintage Cabernet Sauvignon, Wine Road's history stretches back nearly half a century. We've spent decades helping folks saunter through Sonoma County's awe-inspiring vineyards, and now we’re serving up an opportunity to get even closer to the magic that makes our corner of the world so sip-worthy.  Whether you're a local hospitality maestro, a wine educator with a thirst for viticulture knowledge, or a wine enthusiast plotting your next escapade among the vin

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