Now’s the time to plan for the new normal when we’re back in business. Things are different now and will be different then. Expectations are different. And your modus operandi had better be different if you want to retain, recapture, and attract customers.
If there’s one thing that can make or break a tasting room experience, it’s (no, not the wine) the service you receive.
As winery tasting rooms shift into high gear this summer, it’s vital for winery owners to consider how to grow their business while keeping employee safety a priority and staying legally compliant with state and federal regulations.
Last October, I wrote a blog post called “Hire Nice, and Teach Wine,” and last week, I saw this principle work beautifully in action. In a time when every single guest to your tasting room will either help make or break you, it’s even more important to hire nice, teach wine—AND teach hospitality!
“We used Capiche to help us redefine our goals and who we are as a company. Chris was instrumental in helping us come together to create a meaningful strategy through a series of five easy and productive sessions. She not only has extensive knowledge of the wine industry but also seamlessly integrated into our team. We are excited to move forward and have her back to check on our progress!”
“Working with Chris has been very effective. She took the time to get to know us and our business and didn’t waste any time making things happen. In an age where marketing opportunities are everywhere, Chris helped to take the guesswork out of which ones would be beneficial to us. In short time, we found ourselves in feature articles and cover stories in targeted publications and on TV—creating a buzz around 2Hawk’s change in ownership and quality. This really helped to set the stage as we introduce a new era of quality wines.”
“Thank you, Chris, for working with the UVWA Board on the Strategic Marketing Plan. We now have a very organized plan to focus our efforts on moving forward. You have been very patient with our group and I really appreciate your professionalism in moving us through the process. I like your style!”
“Doing a Wine Club Member Survey with Capiche was a very special gift. We got real answers, real information, confirmation about what we were executing correctly and where we needed improvement. I would highly recommend Capiche Marketing & PR. The team was professional and provided information that we could use immediately. Capiche engaged our staff to discuss ideas and work toward the same goals.… We walked away with several ideas—including recommendations and feedback from our very loyal wine club members. I am so pleased. Thank you.”
“We are so grateful for the support you have given us and all of the wineries in Southern Oregon. The two of you add to the many who continue to elevate the Southern Oregon wine brand, and we look forward to being a part of that story.”
“Thank you for organizing SO WINS (Southern Oregon Wine Industry Network) for 4 years. It was lots of fun and a great way to get to know you and many in the Southern Oregon wine community. Both Nick and I have enjoyed the connections, the contacts, and the sense of community that you have brought to our industry. I know it has taken a lot of effort and commitment on your parts and believe me, it was much appreciated.”
“One of the best examples of how connected and committed Chris is to the wine industry can best be illustrated by her recent cover story that featured 2Hawk Winery owners Ross and Jen Allen. The story served to not only capture the essence of their personal story but the emerging story of the entire region. Working with a writer and advocate who truly gets the gist of what’s happening here is worth its weight in gold medals!”
“When I launched Southern Oregon Wine Scene, surrounding myself with the wine industry’s most talented writers and industry advocates was at the top of my list. Working closely with Chris at Capiche has proven to be one of the best business decisions ever made! Not only is her writing engaging and interesting, she always beats deadlines and genuinely cares about me and my clients.”
“I first met Chris while we were both students at Southern Oregon Wine Institute. Combining that knowledge with her three decades of marketing experience, Chris has become deeply involved in the Southern Oregon wine industry by advising individual wineries and writing for the Southern Oregon Wine Scene and Oregon Wine Press. Marketing is often the winemaker’s least favorite part of the job. Chris is uniquely positioned to help wineries to discover and define their brands and to sell that beautiful bottle of wine.”
“I have been working and collaborating with Chris Cook of Capiche for several years now. Her professional yet easygoing demeanor makes for a great flow of ideas and top-notch results. The many photo shoots I have done for Chris are always well-planned and thought out to create the best product for her clients. Chris will be an effective and knowledgeable asset for your marketing campaign regardless of the size of your project.”
“I have been collaborating with Chris Cook on a range of creative projects—publications, websites, marketing collateral, ads, branding, and graphic identity—for a decade. I am always impressed by her clarity of vision, crisp communication style, astute observations and thoughtful guidance. She is a delight to work with, and the process is not only exceptionally effective but also fun!”
“Chris rocks! If you are looking for a leader who knows Oregon, knows wine and knows marketing, look no further than Chris Cook of Capiche. I have worked with Chris on projects centered on travel and tourism as well as wine education and marketing. She is steady, savvy and fun to work with. As the Oregon wine business booms, we will see new leaders and entrepreneurs stepping up—as we already have with Chris Cook.”
