Summertime and the delivering is easy…

Most wineries would find that statement to be far from the truth. After all, the wine industry has always thrived in the colder months. However, in a world where purchasing and shipping goods online is ruled by Amazon’s speed and ease of use, wineries must begin to break the status quo.

During the webinar, we heard from Cakebread Cellars, Charles Krug Winery, and Studio Beverage Group, where they shared how they drive sales throughout the summer. Read on to understand the importance of summer shipping, how the industry has changed to make warm-weather shipping easier, as well as tips and tricks on marketing your business to keep profits rolling year-round.

Why Summer Shipping Matters

Just because shipping in the colder months has always been the traditional business model doesn’t mean it’s the best way to operate your winery in today’s marketplace. Nowadays, buyers expect you to provide wine that will go well with summer barbecues, firework watch parties, and glamping festivities.

The summer months present an opportunity to get wine lovers hooked on new bottles, keep loyal customers committed to their wine club memberships, and perhaps most importantly, create additional cash flow for your winery.

Industry Developments

As carriers add additional delivery days to their schedule, establish convenient drop-off and pick-up locations, and make advances in temperature-controlled shipping, there’s no excuse for not selling wine throughout summer.

But purchasing an expensive bottle of wine during the sweltering heat can make any buyer wonder about the integrity and quality of their wine upon arrival. How well was it packaged and delivered? Was it left in the heat? Is it even worth the investment to buy wine when weather conditions are less than ideal?

The key to finding a successful summer shipping strategy is addressing these concerns head-on.

Decrease customer stress by promoting temperature-controlled shipping, adding icepacks to purchases, or offering expedited shipping. This way, buyers can rest easy knowing their bottle will arrive in top-notch condition.

Marketing Tips for Summer Shipping

Memorial Day, Labor Day, Father’s Day, and the Fourth of July all present major marketing opportunities to capitalize on increased wine demands. By crafting fun and engaging marketing messaging (through email, text, and ads), wineries can attract new customers and sell less traditional products in the process (e.g. larger bottles that may be harder to sell, mix-and-match cases, etc.) Establishing limited-time deals around summer holidays inspires a sense of purchasing urgency among customers.

Shipping promotions are another way to take advantage of summer sales. This could be as simple as discounting shipping costs at a flat rate, offering penny shipping, or even formulating special deals like 50% off of 2-day shipments. Remember: Making a profit with steep summer discounts is always better than selling no wine at all for months on end.

Wineries with active wine clubs should offer exclusive club-only deals. By providing flat-rate discounts or lower shipping fees, members will be less likely to pause or cancel their membership through the summer months, boosting both revenue and customer satisfaction.

Finally, make sure your customers stay educated on news and upcoming deals through intensive email marketing. Email marketing is extremely effective—90% of companies attribute email marketing to their overall success and typically see a $45 ROI on each dollar they spend. It’s a simple but sure way to spread customer awareness and interest.

Marketing Tips for Summer Shipping – The Wineshipping Way

Sustainability and durability don’t normally go hand in hand… that is, until Wineshipping found a solution. By eliminating EPS foam and replacing it with sustainable insulated boxes made of 97% renewable, corrugated board, Wineshipping offers 72-hour temperature protection (versus the traditional 48) while using a far more durable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional shipping methods.

Taking a green approach to summer shipping is a great way to appeal to customer values—after all, nearly 70% of US consumers value eco-friendliness when considering a brand.

Pair this with detailed shipment tracking, and you’ve got yourself a winning combo. Wineshipping’s Premium Tracking tools are perfect for wineries and wine enthusiasts, offering:

• Real-time tracking updates
• Automatic emails at key carrier events of your choosing
• Tracking pages branded to your company’s specifications
• Order flows based on club or daily orders, state, and more

Wineshipping clients have the opportunity to take advantage of all that Premium Tracking has to offer, helping them elevate their delivery experience with seemingly endless customization options. We invite clients to contact their account manager to learn more on how to learn more. With Premium Tracking, summer shipping is made safe and simple, with fewer missed deliveries and no wine bottles left baking in the heat.

It’s time to start selling more wine.

To get a deeper dive into the strategies above, check out the full recording of our webinar here.

Our Commitment to Excellence Makes the Difference

Wine shipping is what we do. It is all we do. In fact, that’s how we got our name. We are passionate about providing you and your customers with the best service available, offering the most innovative and comprehensive technology with unparalleled client care.

Contact us today to see how a partnership with Wineshipping can benefit you!

shipping wine summer shipping webinar