With lockdown restrictions slowly being lifted in more states across the U.S., there's cautious optimism growing in the lessons learned when tasting rooms closed, and businesses found creative new ways to reboot.  Here are 3 of our favourite stories about the ways that wineries are innovating and looking forward to unprecedented growth despite COVID-19.

A recent Nielsen study predicts a year-long recovery for the wine industry filled with not only challenges but opportunities for those who cash in on omnichannel buying.  Since tasting room traffic is not likely to rebound until 2021, “off-premise” sales are king, with online alcohol sales up 477% over last year.  Some of the differentiation strategies highlighted include:

• partnering with restaurants who are offering alcohol as part of their food delivery services, creating opportunities to craft locally focused wine lists;
• doubling down where sales opportunities are highest, including the consumer trend toward the purchase of larger pack sizes; and,
• identifying high-opportunity consumer targets (for instance, podcast listeners).

With a growing number of states ending their COVID-19 shutdowns this month, the eye is on safety and a gradual transition. Several states have begun rolling out a phased plan to protect public health, including a detailed set of requirements and guidelines to ensure winery staff and tasting room visitors have a safe experience. This article shares some of the lessons learned since March, when wineries were forced to quickly rethink their business models, tapping into strong online sales and some of the more creative, personalized approaches to wine club and curbside sales.  Tap into tips from vintners whose sales have risen as much as 300% online.

One of the ways leaders in the wine industry are reaching out to help their peers is through webinars, connecting to share ideas and resources focused on the most pressing issues and pain points. Wine Business Monthly held one this week designed to inspire a little out-of-the-wine-box thinking around an often overlooked DtC sales channel: phone sales. It’s one of the most profitable channels, and an option wineries are cashing in on to make up for the revenue losses experienced when tasting rooms were closed.  Tap into the 60-minute session replay on YouTube to discover why many wineries are saying that phone sales will remain an essential part of their DtC sales even after the COVID-19 restrictions subside.

Here are a few resources we put together to help you find the right differentiation strategy to grow YOUR winery:

• 5 Things Winning Wineries Get Right
• 10 Ways to Grow Your Wine Club Memberships
• How Even the Smallest Wineries Can Compete and Be Profitable

 

Big Sales for Small Wineries
The Ultimate Do-It-Yourself Growth Guide

This FREE eBook is specifically designed for established boutique wineries (those producing less than 10,000 cases) as a step-by-step guide to achieving your best year in sales yet. It is packed with practical advice on everything from questions to ask the person who is managing your marketing, to insights into what consumers actually want in a Wine Club, and even a list of creative ideas to help generate additional revenue streams. Included in this FREE Guide:

• Transformation Readiness Assessment
• Successful Sales Strategies
• Trusted and Proven Advice