Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/89494
MANAGEMENT WINE WISE MARKETING GOOD ADVICE Wineries familiar with cruising have some great advice for other producers considering being a part of a cruise. 1. Start early. Many people plan their holidays, especially large- ticket holidays like cruises, well in advance. So if you are considering a wine cruise, get the information to your wine club and customer lists a year ahead of departure. Add cruise information to all purchases and wine club shipments, put it in your newsletter, send e-mail announce- ments and add the information to your website and social media pages. Consider a cruise-themed special event at the winery to intro- duce customers to the opportunity to sail with you. 2. Spend as much time as you can with guests. Consumers who take wine cruises do it as much for the time they get to spend with the winemakers and winery principals as they do for the wine, so take the time to get to know them and show interest in who they are and what they do. 3. Make it fun for guests. You want them to have the time of their lives, so they will tell others about their experience (and your winery), purchase your wine, and perhaps cruise again with you. Comments? Please e-mail us at feedback@vwm-online.com. Piña Napa Valley A solid financial resource for your wine business. Ask us why Piña Napa Valley banks with us. Call 707-508-3376 for information about wine business lending. San Francisco | Marin | Sonoma | Napa | bankofmarin.com | Member FDIC REGISTER NOW WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM Midwest Grape & Wine Conference and Trade Show February 7-9, 2013 • St. Charles, Missouri • midwestgrape.com PRESENTS NOV - DEC 2012 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT 25 2013 2013 CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW