5555 Broadway Street/Hwy 29, Suite 100, American Canyon, CA, United States of America, 94503
Amanda Castorena and Merilee AndersonLet Amanda Castorena and Merilee Anderson dive into why virtual tastings should still matter to you:
With travel costs on the rise, visiting wine country may feel less attainable for some customers. But that doesn’t mean wineries can’t still connect with their audience in meaningful ways. Virtual wine tastings—once a staple during pandemic restrictions—are still a powerful and cost-effective option that wineries should embrace once again.
Why Virtual Tastings Still Matter
Even as in-person visits return, virtual tastings provide unique benefits that can elevate your winery’s customer engagement:
How to Build a Successful Virtual Tasting Program
Here are a few tips for wineries looking to create engaging virtual tastings:
Turning Virtual Tastings into a Fulfillment Opportunity
As a fulfillment partner, we can help wineries create seamless virtual tasting experiences by:
By embracing virtual tastings, wineries can maintain strong connections with their audience—even when they can’t visit in person. With thoughtful planning and creative packaging, these experiences can be memorable, profitable, and an excellent way to showcase your wines.
Are you ready to enhance your winery’s offerings with virtual tastings? Let us help you build a fulfillment plan that turns these experiences into a lasting success.
by Merilee AndersonIn logistics, just as in winemaking, excellence comes from a personal touch and an unwavering commitment to quality. At Copper Peak Logistics, we approach client services much like a tasting room experience—where relationships are cultivated, expertise is shared, and operations run seamlessly.
A Personal Approach
Walking into a tasting room, you’re welcomed with warmth and a genuine personal connection. At Copper Peak Logistics, we believe in the power of human touch. We cultivate long-term relationships with our clients, taking the time to understand their unique needs and preferences. This personalized approach builds trust and allows us to deliver tailored solutions that truly make a difference.
Relationship Building
Just as a sommelier or host shares the story behind each bottle of wine, we take pride in sharing our expertise, best practices, and industry insights with our clients. We believe strong relationships are the foundation of a successful partnership. By engaging with our clients on a deeper level, we deliver the most efficient and cost-effective solutions, creating an environment where value-added services can thrive.
Knowledge of the Product
Our team possesses a profound understanding of our services and the logistics landscape. This expertise allows us to provide legendary response times and efficient operations, ensuring that our clients’ needs are met with precision and care.
Efficiency and Proactivity
At Copper Peak Logistics, we understand that time is of the essence. Our efficient operations enable us to spend more time focusing on our clients needs. Unlike traditional ticketing systems and the frustration of having to wait for a response to an issue or obtain information, our clients enjoy direct access to knowledgeable experts who provide timely and effective solutions.
In the world of logistics, as in the art of winemaking, the key to excellence lies in a personal touch, deep knowledge, and seamless operations. At Copper Peak Logistics, we take pride in offering a client services experience that is as welcoming and enriching as a visit to a winery tasting room. By focusing on relationship building, legendary response times, and proactive solutions, we ensure that our clients receive the highest level of service and care.
In a move set to modernize DTC wine logistics and compliance, Vinoshipper has announced a partnership with Copper Peak Logistics, bringing together two of the industry’s most forward-thinking service providers. This collaboration merges Vinoshipper’s compliance and e-commerce platform with Copper Peak’s premium fulfillment services, creating a seamless solution for wineries.
The partnership addresses a critical need in the wine industry: connecting the most accurate compliance management software with high-touch fulfillment services. “Today, both producers and consumers are looking to ease checkout and shipping pains with high-touch automated services,” explains Steven Harrison, Vinoshipper’s CEO. “By partnering with Copper Peak Logistics, we’re delivering exactly that.”
Copper Peak Logistics, known for its boutique approach to wine fulfillment, brings its signature white-glove service to the partnership. “We’ve always believed that wine logistics requires a different level of attention,” says Milton Cornwell, COO & Co-Founder of Copper Peak Logistics. “This partnership with Vinoshipper allows us to expand services to more states for our producers by utilizing advanced compliance technology.”
Key features of the partnership:
The integration launches with several innovative features designed specifically for premium and luxury wineries:
“This partnership goes beyond typical integration,” adds Harrison. “It connects our compliance expertise with Copper Peak’s fulfillment capabilities, giving wineries something they’ve consistently asked for but couldn’t find until now.”
This integration is available now with existing clients of both companies receiving priority access to the integrated platform.
About Vinoshipper
Vinoshipper is the premier platform for alcohol producers seeking to expand their direct sales. Since 2006, its compliance engine has supported wineries, cideries, meaderies, and distilleries by offering a fully compliant online store, point-of-sale, club management, UPS integration, and comprehensive compliance management services. For more information, visit https://www.vinoshipper.com/
About Copper Peak Logistics
Copper Peak Logistics specializes in premium wine fulfillment services, offering temperature-controlled storage and white-glove shipping solutions. Known for its attention to detail and premium service levels, Copper Peak serves some of the most prestigious wineries in North America.
For more information, please visit https://copperpeaklogistics.com/
In the ever-evolving landscape of the wine industry, adaptability and innovation have never been more critical. With shifts in consumer demographics and broader economic factors at play, wineries are presented with both challenges and exciting opportunities. Engaging a younger, more diverse audience through creative marketing strategies is key to future growth. Despite current market fluctuations, the resilience of wine businesses showcases their ability to thrive and innovate. The future of the wine industry is bright, marked by the potential for renewed growth and broader accessibility to quality wines.
The State of the US Wine Industry Report 2025 by Silicon Valley Bank and the 2025 Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Wine Shipping Report by Sovos and WineBusiness Analytics provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the industry and its future prospects.
The wine industry is experiencing dynamic changes, presenting new opportunities for growth. While traditional metrics have flattened, this shift opens doors for innovative marketing strategies and fresh approaches to capturing new consumer segments. The decline in the wine market, including a 10% drop in DtC wine shipments, can be viewed as a call to action for wineries to adapt and evolve.
There’s a notable shift from older consumers (60+) to younger ones (30-45), who index lower for wine purchases. This demographic transition is an exciting opportunity for wineries to rebrand and connect with a more diverse audience. Engaging and creative marketing campaigns can attract younger consumers who bring new perspectives and enthusiasm to the wine culture.
Despite softer sales and lower profitability, the majority of wine businesses report good financial health. This resilience showcases the industry’s ability to adapt and thrive even in challenging economic conditions. The ultra-premium segment ($80+ average bottle price) continues to show growth, reflecting consumers’ appreciation for high-quality wines.
The current supply situation has led to more accessible bottle pricing, making quality wines more affordable for consumers. This broader accessibility can cultivate a larger and more loyal customer base. Additionally, wineries outside the West Coast have maintained stable pricing, ensuring consistent value for their customers.
The wine industry’s future is bright, with expectations of renewed growth. The decline in sales driven by Boomers is anticipated to stabilize, and premium business is predicted to return to growth between 2027 and 2029. By adapting to these shifts and harnessing the opportunities they present, the wine industry can continue to innovate, inspire, and prosper.
For more details, refer to the full articles: State of the US Wine Industry Report 2025 and 2025 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report.
Cheers to the exciting journey ahead!
By Stacey HeuerIn both the world of winemaking and logistics, technology has made tremendous strides in efficiency and automation. Yet, there are times when the best results come from people who care deeply about their craft. Take, for example, wineries that harvest their grapes by hand. While machines can pick grapes faster, hand-harvesting provides a level of quality and care that often leads to superior wines. Similarly, in the world of third-party logistics (3PL), companies are beginning to question whether automation is always the best route, opting instead to reduce automation and invest in team members dedicated to providing high-quality service.
Hand-Harvested Grapes – Quality Over Quantity
For centuries, vineyards have been harvesting grapes by hand, especially for premium wines. Although mechanical harvesting can be faster and cheaper, hand-picking grapes offers several benefits that directly impact the quality of the wine.
Copper Peak Logistics Investing in People for Superior Results
Much like winemakers who choose hand-harvesting for quality, Copper Peak Logistics invests in skilled team members who understand the value of human touch in providing excellent service. While automated warehouses can speed up processes and lower internal costs, there are key advantages to focusing on a team of dedicated employees.
The Common Thread: People Matter
In a world increasingly reliant on automation, there’s still immense value in human expertise. Hand-harvested grapes result in better wine, just as a logistics team dedicated to quality can provide superior service. While automation has its place, it is just not in our warehouses where people are irreplaceable when it comes to delivering products and services that require care, attention, and a passion for quality.
Investing in team members who are committed to their craft—whether they’re harvesting grapes or packing and shipping orders—means investing in the long-term quality and success of an industry we can be proud of. In both cases, the decision to prioritize people over machines is a conscious choice to focus on excellence rather than speed, on relationships rather than transactions, and on the craft rather than the process.
For wineries and 3PL companies alike, the message is clear: automation may save time, but it’s the people behind the scenes who ultimately deliver quality.
by Stacey HeuerAs Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on all that I have to be thankful for, both personally and professionally. One of the standout moments this year has been the completion of and move into our brand-new, custom-built Napa facility. This isn’t just a warehouse; it’s a place that feels like home—a space we’ve meticulously crafted with love, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to an industry we are so proud to support.
Creating this facility was truly a labor of love, but it wasn’t just about constructing a building. It was about giving our team members a voice and recognizing the value of everyone’s insights and experience. We involved our team in every step of the design, layout, and process flow, ensuring that the new space not only met but exceeded the needs of those who would be using it every day. The impact of so many people coming together to contribute their expertise has been profound. The outcome of this collaboration truly represents our passion for the work we do. The result is a warehouse that is not only smooth and efficient but also a place where every team member can take pride in having helped to craft our new home.
Our pride in what we’ve built was on full display at our recent Open House celebration, where we were thrilled to share our new space with all our partners—clients, vendors, and industry friends. This event was more than just an opportunity to show off our new facility; it was a chance for our team to showcase their hidden talents. From gorgeous floral arrangements to beautifully prepared and presented food, everything was done by our Copper Peak Logistics team. It was a wonderful way to demonstrate how much we care about our partners and how much we value the relationships we’ve built over the years. We were so grateful to raise a glass with everyone and will cherish those memories for many days to come.
On a personal note, I want to express my deep gratitude for the opportunity to work at Copper Peak Logistics and for the Lane Family. Over the past 18 years, I’ve been given endless opportunities to grow and develop. I began as a consultant to the Lane Family, evaluating the idea of opening a third-party logistics company dedicated to serving the wine industry. After spending eight months interviewing wineries to understand their direct-to-consumer needs, we opened our first warehouse in May 2007. Since that day, Copper Peak Logistics has been built from the ground up, with every decision influenced by the voices and needs of our team members, clients, vendors, and prospects. After 18 years of success, three facility moves, and an impressive list of partners, we are now rooted in our permanent home. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m thankful every day to be a part of it.
This Thanksgiving, as we reflect on our journey and the milestones we’ve achieved, I am filled with gratitude for our incredible team, clients, vendors, and industry friends. You are all truly a part of our Copper Peak Logistics family. Here’s to many more years of success and collaboration!
by: Stacey HeuerFor businesses in the wine industry, the holiday season, special events, and major wine releases often lead to sharp spikes in shipping demand. Meeting customer expectations during these busy times can be challenging, especially when it comes to maintaining both the quality and timely delivery of wine shipments. Partnering with Copper Peak Logistics (CPL) , a third-party logistics provider, offers a strategic solution. CPL provides the strategies and resources necessary to handle seasonal wine shipping surges effectively, ensuring your customers receive their wine in perfect condition and on time.
Key Strategies Copper Peak Logistics Uses to Manage Seasonal Demand:
Scalable Infrastructure
Seasonal demand often brings a sudden influx of orders, putting a strain internal logistics and storage capacities. CPL’s new Napa facility features scalable infrastructure, customizable to meet the varying needs of our winery partners. We have the additional storage space, workforce, and transportation solutions our partners needed. Whether it’s corporate gifting, custom club shipments, gift baskets, or large releases, CPL is equipped to scale operations without compromising service quality.
Example: During the holiday season, when orders surge, CPL has the capacity to drop in additional mobile shipping lines for clubs, daily orders, or kitting projects. Our Napa facility was designed with electrical drops throughout to ensure flexibility with equipment and space, allowing us to handle any project efficiently.
Planning and Forecasting Support
One of CPL’s strengths is our ability to assist with demand forecasting. By analyzing historical shipping data and market trends, CPL can predict when and where demand will spike. This proactive approach ensures that we have the necessary resources in place for smooth operations during peak seasons. Our dedicated Client Services team works closely with our winery partners to schedule clubs, releases, and kitting projects. This proactive coordination allows us to procure packaging, streamline process flows, and secure the staffing needed to manage high volumes.
Key Insight: Accurate forecasting and a deep understanding of industry trends enable CPL to stay ahead of demand, reducing the risk of delays or shortages during high-volume periods.
Inventory Management
Efficient inventory management is critical during high-demand periods. CPL uses advanced inventory systems to track stock in real time, giving you accurate visibility into your inventory across both our locations. This helps prevent orders being held for “ship complete,” ensuring that you can meet customer demand. We also have the ability to track inventory by production lot and expiration date for perishable items, ensuring expired products never reach a customer.
Benefit: Inventory alerts, such as low stock notices, ship-complete reports, and inventory status reports help ensure that you quickly replenish when demand spikes.
Flexible Shipping Solutions
Flexibility is essential during peak times. CPL offers multiple carrier options and access to various transportation methods, including expedited shipping and temperature-controlled options, to accommodate the diverse needs of wine shipments. We also have the ability to set priority levels on your orders, reroute shipments or switch carriers in case of delays, ensuring that deliveries stay on schedule. CPL stocks large inventory quantities of all our standard 750ml, large format, insulated shippers, and gift box packaging, ensuring that any unforeseen spikes in order volume can be handled without delay.
Why it Matters: During the busiest seasons, even a slight delay can lead to dissatisfied customers. CPL’s ability to adapt to changing conditions keeps shipments moving, even in high-demand periods.
Temperature-Controlled Logistics
Wine is a delicate product, and ensuring that it arrives in perfect condition requires careful handling, especially during extreme weather conditions. CPL offers temperature-controlled logistics to protect wine from heat or freezing temperatures. Our interactive weather-hold feature allows our winery partners to place states on weather hold during extreme weather events. Weather holds can be placed by carrier and service level. This is especially important during seasonal spikes, when shipping volumes are high, and the risk of delays is greater.
Pro Tip: Utilize CPL’s insulated packaging, Cold Chain solution, or discounted overnight pricing (summer months only) to protect wine quality from temperature fluctuations. Leverage weather holds by service level to pause ground, 3Day, and 2Day shipments while still releasing overnight orders to take advantage of discounted pricing.
Surge Staffing
Managing a high volume of orders during seasonal peaks requires flexible manpower. Instead of overburdening your in-house team, CPL can provide surge staffing to handle increased demand. In addition to our full-time staff, our temporary workforce, trained in handling wine, ensures that we have the flexible personnel to keep operations running smoothly, and orders are processed without delays.
Benefit: By leveraging CPL’s staffing resources, you allow your team to focus on core business functions while avoiding the costs and administrative hassle of hiring seasonal employees internally.
Conclusion
Handling seasonal wine shipping spikes can be challenging, but partnering with Copper Peak Logistics makes it entirely manageable. With CPL’s scalable solutions, advanced technology, temperature control solutions, and expert planning, our winery partners can meet seasonal demand surges while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service. By leveraging the expertise of CPL, wineries and wine retailers can confidently navigate peak seasons, improve customer satisfaction, and focus on what they do best – producing and selling exceptional wine.
Now is the time to start planning for the busy holiday season (OND).
We’ve written about OND planning in the past, but this year we turned directly to our experts and asked: What are they seeing “on the ground” this year, and what advice do they have for wineries for the coming season?
Here are their top three tips.
Gifting, especially corporate gifting programs, can be great for wineries. Those gift packages and kits will likely need additional items, however. For example, a gift set might include:
“Anything special—packaging, bellybands, collateral, etc—should be ordered soon [in summer months] so as to not risk delays,” says Amanda Castorena, Account Executive here at Copper Peak. “If you order later when more wineries and companies are ordering as well, it might take longer than expected to receive what you need.”
Need some ideas for kitting and gifting? Talk with our team, or read about some of the cool ideas we’ve seen.
“Now is the time to submit all of your club setup forms, with ship dates, for the remainder of the year—if you have not already done so,” says Mike Galvan, our Senior Account Manager. Working daily with our clients, Mike has a good sense of how quickly schedules fill up.
For example: Because planning for OND is well underway, some ship dates have already been “blacked out” for the remainder of the year. (Mondays especially—these are typically the first to be blacked out.) And nothing is worse than creating a late-stage calendar, only to find out that your ship dates just aren’t possible.
Also, plan on adding a couple of days to your carrier’s normal time-in-transit commitments. That way, if there is a delay, you will still have some wiggle room.
When orders are rolling in, you might not have the time to make sure your marketing materials are up-to-date and effective. So do that now, while in the planning phase.
For example:
“You would be surprised how much frustration is created simply because a catalog or website lists an old customer service number or email,” says Mike. Correcting that is a quick fix, but one that is easily overlooked in the holiday rush.
Looking for a way to track all of your “to-dos” that need to get done before the OND season hits? Check out this article and scroll down to find a checklist you can print.
We also recommend this recipe for holiday shipping success by our own Senior Vice President of Client Services, Merilee Anderson.
Need a little more “hands on” guidance in preparing for OND this year? Feel free to reach out to your Client Services Team.
Wine is sensitive to high temperatures, and that makes shipping it during the summer months extra tricky. Even if a bottle never passes through what we typically think of as the “hotter” states, the temperature in a carrier truck during the summer can be high enough to ruin a bottle for the end consumer.
We’ve written about the various options for summer shipping many times before. But we realize that, with so many options and strategies available, it might not be clear how to start thinking about the problem, let alone discovering what will work for your wine club or DTC channel.
So, we asked some of our experts: What do you think is the most important thing to remember when it comes to summer wine shipping?
Here are their top three tips.
We might not know exactly when a warm front is going to roll in, but we do know that one will come around eventually. So plan ahead and get your weather strategy in place.
“If a warm front is coming, decide early if you are going to want to use ice packs/express shipping or if you are going to place certain states on weather hold until it cools off,” suggests Amanda Castorena, Account Executive here at Copper Peak.
In other words, choose something—because having a plan in place, any plan, is better than no plan at all.
The FedEx Cold Chain is a great option for wineries to ensure that their products are not compromised en-route because of heat.
Basically, packages are picked up by FedEx Supply Chain Transportation and delivered to their consolidation point. From there, packages are then placed on temperature-controlled line haul trucks and delivered to FedEx hub locations around the country. Cold chain can be used in conjunction with FedEx Delivery Manager or FedEx “Hold at Location” (HAL) services.
“[FedEx Cold Chain] is especially nice if any of our customers are concerned about weather,” says Mike Galvan, our Senior Account Manager. “It provides a great alternative to ice packs.”
Communication with customers is always key, and that goes double when there might be shipping delays due to the weather.
“The sooner you have your plan in place, the easier it will be for your winery to communicate what is going on to your customers when there is a delay,” says Castorena. “They will likely be asking about lead times and delays anyway, so it’s better to have your message ready to go.”
It also helps to communicate to your customers about the potential risks associated with shipping during hot weather—and do so both before and after they have placed the order. When customers understand that you are safeguarding their product, they are often much more willing to tolerate a short delay. Wine enthusiasts care about wine safety!
Again, there are many options for protecting your products, or at least holding them until the heat dies down. Which you choose will depend on how strict your shipping schedule is, and if your customers are okay with waiting out the summer heat.
But equally as important as which method you choose, is the fact that you plan ahead. Need help working through the options and contingencies? Talk to your Copper Peak partners today.
Napa, CA, May 29, 2024 - Copper Peak Logistics (CPL), a direct-to-consumer wine fulfillment, distribution, and logistics services company, has announced two promotions impacting its executive structure.
Merilee Anderson, formerly Vice President of Client Services, will now serve as Senior Vice President of Client Services. Stacey Heuer, formerly Vice President of Operations, has been named Senior Vice President of Operations.
Merilee Anderson and Stacey Heuer
“These promotions recognize the years of hard work and effort that Merilee and Stacey have contributed to CPL and the wine industry as a whole,” says Milton Cornwell, COO/Co-founder of CPL. “They’ve played a crucial role in creating a workplace where people can flourish, and they’re instrumental in providing our clients with white-glove fulfillment services.”
Both Anderson and Heuer are pioneers in the wine fulfillment industry. Prior to joining CPL, they coordinated client services and operations for one of the country’s largest wine clubs and call centers. In their respective roles, they fostered and grew the firm’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) program and helped to develop an internal compliance program.
Heuer left to join Copper Peak in 2006 and helped to plan the company’s launch. Anderson joined in 2008. As key members of CPL’s executive team, they have leveraged their institutional knowledge to introduce and refine the company’s personalized, client-centered vision to the Napa and Sonoma wine markets.
“Early in my career, I worked at a winery that was fulfilling orders in-house, and we had full control over our product,” Anderson says. “When we decided to outsource to a fulfillment house, we lost that level of personalization and customization. At CPL, we’ve always had that in mind: Growth shouldn’t mean losing that personalized touch.”
Heuer agrees.
“The vision we started with was that we would operate as an extension of each winery’s business — not as just a vendor or a partner, but as a true part of their organization,” Heuer says. “We really wanted to extend ourselves to help them grow and accomplish their goals. That was always our number-one priority.”
As Senior Vice Presidents, Anderson and Heuer will continue to coordinate their departments to serve each client effectively — and to manage CPL’s controlled growth as the company moves its operations to a new fulfillment center.
“Part of why we’ve been successful, I think, is that our departments have the same dedication to our clients,” Anderson says. “That’s not always the case in the wine business. But early on, we learned who we really are as a company, and we’ve really stuck to that vision.”
“Our company culture is absolutely essential for what we do.” Heuer says. “We want every member of our staff to understand what wine means from the client and the consumer’s point of view. This is actually somebody’s livelihood: It’s an art form, and we play an important part in it.”
About Copper Peak Logistics
CPL is a family-owned fulfillment company solely focused on the direct-to-consumer wine shipping industry. CPL provides craftsmanship fulfillment services to the wine industry and craft beverage producers. CPL’s proprietary software provides user-friendly functionality to improve transaction visibility, increase productivity and is seamlessly integrated with all of the most popular ecommerce engines and compliance resources. For more information, visit www.copperpeaklogistics.com.
At Copper Peak Logistics, we deliver the very best experience in wine fulfillment, supporting you as you cultivate your direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales through wine clubs, eCommerce, events, telesales, and tasting rooms. We pick, pack, and ship your wines with the utmost care and precision, so your end customers receive them in a way that represents the artistry and devotion you put into producing them. We call this craftsmanship fulfillment, where human touch, white glove service, and honoring commitments still matter
The Copper Peak Logistics team is comprised of Wine Industry, eCommerce and Logistics industry veterans who are just as dedicated to your product as you are. Strategically located temperature controlled warehouses allow us to cost-effectively deliver your hard work to 98% of the doorsteps in America in under two days. We’re dedicated and driven to create and deliver a premier craftsmanship approach to fulfillment of your specialty products. As a WIN member, we look forward to serving you.
For more information, visit us at http://www.copperpeaklogistics.com, and don’t forget to check out our industry blog with wine industry and logistics news, tips, and expert insights. When you have questions, reach out to the CPL team at sales@copperpeaklogistics.com or call 707-265-0100.
Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
---|---|---|---|---|
VP Client Services | Merilee Anderson | manderson@copperpeaklogistics.com | 7072650100 | |
COO | Milton Cornwell | MCORNWELL@COPPERPEAKLOGISTICS.COM | 7072650100 |
Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
---|---|---|---|---|
Copper Peak Logistics | 1160 Research Blvd., St. Louis | MO | United States of America | 63132 |
Copper Peak Logistics | 5555 Broadway Street/Hwy 29, Suite 100, American Canyon | CA | United States of America | 94503 |