Let’s face it—these are tough times. As the economy shifts and visitor traffic ebbs and flows, wineries are tasked with doing more with less. That means every single guest matters more than ever, and every interaction counts. The stakes are high, and there’s no room for guesswork when it comes…
In the world of hospitality, there’s a misconception that offering service is just a job—something anyone can do with minimal training or effort. Yet, anyone who has truly excelled in this profession knows the truth: hospitality is a noble calling. It requires a combination of innate qualities and cultivated skills…
Take a look at any number of Tasting Room Associate job ads, and it becomes apparent we need to hire unicorns – rare, mystical, and never seen in the wild except by a chosen few. We are seeking that blend of hospitality heart, wine knowledge, and hopefully sales skills. Every…
Overdependence on Tasting Room traffic as the sole driver to grow our DTC business has become problematic for all wine regions. Between fires, the pandemic, changing travel patterns many wineries have focused new efforts on building DTC customer bases from programs that they can actually control – DTC road show…
One of the most anticipated parts of several WISE courses is the opportunity for attendees to go out and Mystery Shop their direct competitors. It is a very structured approach to looking at the experience, with a formal debrief. It is always fascinating to see how industry professionals at all…
The reports are in, and traffic is down year on year (to date) in many regions. While all are hopeful it will return to at least 2019 levels, several WISE wineries are focusing on driving revenue beyond the tasting room. Here are three ways to drive revenue even when traffic…
There are many great lessons in watching Sunday football and leadership. Immediately following a big play – either a winning play or an error – once the player sits on the bench, their designated coach joins them with an iPad. They may exchange high fives or get a consolation pat…
In the world of hospitality, providing exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for guests is paramount. However, there are situations where it becomes necessary to say “no” to a guest’s request or demand. It’s crucial to handle these moments with finesse and professionalism to ensure guest satisfaction and maintain the…
OND – these three letters have a BIG impact for wine industry professionals. October, November, December – the three busiest months of the year. The pursuit of annual sales targets, orchestration of corporate gifting initiatives, and the crafting of captivating events and strategic marketing endeavors to harness the holiday sales…
It’s always important to make the most of every single guest walking through our tasting room door. While most wineries are hiring friendly staff with strong service hearts, sales skills continue to be an area of opportunity for our industry. Many people worry that selling wine is too pushy,…