In this week’s roundup, the VineSpring team demonstrates how the automatic card decline features work to make craft producers’ lives easier. Tasting room reopening protocols have been released by the Wine Institute and Napa Valley Vintners recommend a “phase-in” approach. Despite gains in off-premise sales, the alcohol industry has a long road ahead to return to pre-COVID-19 conditions. DTC sales have been increasing each year but a snapshot of the 2020 results indicate a large spike caused by the pandemic.

VineSpring 3-Minute Challenge: Credit Card Decline Features

A big challenge for subscription-based eCommerce is to keep the latest credit card information on file for your customers. VineSpring Payments (VSP) includes a card updater service powered by Stripe that runs behind the scenes to update cards and helps minimize the number of declines. See how it works.

Tasting Room Reopening Protocols

Based on advice from medical experts and governmental health and safety guidance, Wine Institute has released protocols for the reopening of California tasting rooms. Download these protocols for a checklist of sanitation requirements, distancing and occupancy guidelines, employee training, and more.

Napa Valley Wineries Plan for Tasting Room Reopenings

Anticipating the reopening of tasting rooms, Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) is recommending a “phase-in” approach. While the timeline is still uncertain some think that with careful preparation, this time could prove to be opportunistic for Napa and Sonoma counties.

Rebalancing the ‘COVID-19 Effect’ on Alcohol Sales

Even though in-store and online alcohol sales saw a boom in the midst of COVID-19, other channels weren’t as lucky. On-premise sales came to a halt and the overall economic impact on consumers and the supply chain is substantial. What will it take to rebalance alcohol sales and get back to “normal?”

DTC Shipments Continue to Increase as Buying Channels Shift

DTC wine sales have been growing steadily each year, with a 7.4 percent increase in value and 4.7 percent increase in volume in 2019. But, as consumers flock to the internet to get their favorite wines, 2020 is sure to have a noticeable spike. Get a snapshot of how the DTC channel has been transformed as a result of shelter-in-place orders.