As the festive buzz of Christmas begins to settle, savvy wineries are already gearing up for the next big occasion: New Year’s and the post-holiday sales rush. Seizing the momentum from the holiday season, wineries can strategically position themselves for success in January and beyond. In this post, we explore key marketing strategies to keep the celebration going, ensuring a strong start to the new year.

1. Create Irresistible Post-Holiday Offers

The day after Christmas doesn’t mark the end of celebration; it’s an opportunity to extend the festive cheer. Craft enticing post-holiday promotions to keep customers engaged. Consider limited-time discounts, bundle deals, or exclusive releases to captivate your audience and encourage them to continue celebrating with your wines.

Post-holiday example offers:

• “Restock the Wine Rack” Offer: Enjoy a generous 15% off when you purchase a case of 12 bottles. Encourage customers to replenish their wine racks with their favorite varietals or explore new releases at a discounted rate.
• “New Year, New Wine” Bundle: Introduce a curated selection of wines that are perfect for the new year. Bundle these wines together at a special price, providing customers with a unique and exciting way to start their year with your exceptional vintages.
• “Celebrate Every Season” Membership Upgrade: For wine club members, offer an exclusive upgrade that includes special access to limited-edition releases throughout the year. Elevate their membership experience and create a sense of anticipation for upcoming wine releases.

2. Leverage Social Media Engagement

Social media is a powerful tool for maintaining brand visibility and fostering a sense of community.

Engaging content and interactive campaigns examples:

• User-Generated Content Contest: Encourage customers to share photos of their holiday celebrations featuring your wines. Host a contest with a chance to win a special wine gift basket or a virtual tasting experience. This not only boosts engagement but also generates authentic content for your brand.
• Share the Joy: Post stories or videos showcasing how your winery and team celebrated the holidays. This behind-the-scenes content provides a personal touch, allowing customers to connect with the people behind the wines.

3. Email Marketing: Keep the Conversation Alive

Email marketing is a direct and effective way to communicate with your customer base. In addition to sending thank-you emails for holiday purchases, use emails to share behind-the-scenes stories, upcoming events, and exclusive promotions. Segment your email list to provide personalized offers based on customer preferences and purchase history.

Post-holiday sales email campaign examples:

• “Beat the Winter Blues” Email Series: Acknowledge the post-holiday lull by sending a series of emails that focus on beating the winter blues with your wines. Highlight cozy evenings, pairing suggestions, and exclusive promotions to warm up the season.
• “Sip into the New Year” Series: Create a series of emails featuring curated wine selections for different occasions in the upcoming year. Highlight wines perfect for cozy winter evenings, celebratory milestones, and even Valentine’s Day. Include enticing descriptions and pairing suggestions to inspire purchases.
• “Unlock Exclusive Access” Email: Build excitement by sending an email to your subscribers, teasing an upcoming limited-release wine. Offer them exclusive access before the release goes public, creating a sense of urgency and rewarding their loyalty.
• “Winter Warm-Up” Flash Sale: Introduce a flash sale featuring winter favorites or top-rated wines. Use a limited-time discount code to encourage quick purchases and drive traffic to your online store. Clearly communicate the urgency to seize the opportunity before the offer expires.
• “Customer Spotlight” Feature: Showcase the diversity of your customer base by featuring customer stories in your emails. Share testimonials, photos, and anecdotes from real customers who enjoyed your wines during the holidays. This not only adds a personal touch but also reinforces the sense of community around your brand.
• “Resolutions Uncorked” Survey: Engage customers by sending a fun survey asking about their New Year’s wine resolutions. Use the responses to tailor future promotions and recommend wines that align with their preferences. Offer a discount as a thank-you for completing the survey, encouraging participation.

4. Host Virtual Tastings and Events

Bring the winery experience directly to your customers by hosting virtual tastings and events. Utilize video conferencing platforms to connect with your audience, share insights about your winemaking process, and answer questions in real time. Offer special promotions or discounts for attendees, creating a sense of exclusivity and incentivizing participation.

Virtual Event Examples:

• “Not So Dry January” Tasting Event: Acknowledge the popular “Dry January” trend by hosting a tongue-in-cheek “Not So Dry January” virtual tasting. Feature your best reds and full-bodied whites, encouraging customers to indulge in moderation and celebrate the joy of wine year-round.
• Food and Wine Pairing Workshop: Collaborate with a local chef for a virtual food and wine pairing workshop. Provide discounted wine bundles for attendees, creating a memorable experience and showcasing the versatility of your wines.

5. Optimize Your Online Presence

Ensure that your winery’s website is not only visually appealing but also optimized for user experience and online sales. Streamline the purchasing process, provide detailed information about each wine, and implement secure payment options. Being mobile-friendly on all devices is a must-have with the increase of mobile shopping!

6. Invest in Customer Relationships

Building strong relationships with customers is essential for long-term success. Offer exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries promptly and resolving issues effectively. Consider implementing a loyalty program that rewards customers for repeat purchases, referrals, or participation in events. Personalize interactions by using customer data to tailor recommendations and offers.

Customer relationship-building ideas:

• Surprise and Delight: Implement a plan to surprise and delight your top customers in January. See why this can be a very useful marketing tactic in our article here.
• Customer Appreciation Week: Dedicate a week to show gratitude to your customers. Send personalized thank-you notes, offer exclusive discounts, and engage in social media shout-outs to highlight your appreciation for their continued support.

7. Why Make the Switch to Corksy?

As wineries navigate the challenges of post-holiday sales, it’s essential to have the right tools at your disposal. Enter Corksy, a platform designed to help wineries sell more wine. With its user-friendly interface, Corksy allows wineries to effortlessly manage online sales, promotions, and customer engagement.

Corksy’s advanced features, including customer relationship management and analytics, empower wineries to make informed decisions and tailor their marketing strategies for maximum impact. The platform streamlines the online selling process, making it easier for wineries to connect with customers and boost sales.

Now is the perfect time to make the switch to Corksy and elevate your winery’s marketing efforts. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to build lasting customer relationships and maximize your post-holiday sales. Chat with a member of our growth team today to discover how Corksy can help your winery grow in 2024!

corksy sell more wine post-holidays 2024 sales marketing email marketing social media