Posts by Cougar Digital
You can’t manufacture demand: what wine marketing can (and can’t) do right now
The wine industry isn’t collapsing, but it is going through a real reset. Consumption is down, discretionary spending is tighter, and competition among wineries is heavier than it has been in years. Many wineries are struggling not because their wine suddenly declined in quality or their teams stopped working hard, but because the market conditions…
Read MoreYour Winery Marketing Calendar: What to Promote (and When)
If you’ve ever found yourself throwing together an email last-minute or scrambling for social content before a big event, you’re not alone. Many wineries operate this way—but those spur-of-the-moment marketing efforts often fall flat. Running one-off promotions or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants campaigns may feel flexible, but they’re usually less effective—and more expensive. The most successful wineries plan…
Read MoreWinery photography tips that actually help your marketing
Key Takeaways Stock photos won’t cut it—especially in wine country. Whether you’re running paid ads, updating your website, or promoting your wine club, strong photography makes all your marketing more effective. And while we always think having a stash of professionally-shot winery photos is a good investment, we know it’s not always in the budget.…
Read MoreHow to Reach the Next Generation of Wine Lovers (Without Reinventing Your Brand)
Wine consumption is down, especially among younger generations. But here’s what we know from working closely with wineries across the country: Gen Z isn’t against wine—they just connect to it differently than past generations did. They’re more intentional about drinking. They care about brand values. They’re skeptical of tradition for tradition’s sake. And they can…
Read MoreWhat to Ask Before Hiring a Winery Marketing Agency
Hiring a marketing agency is a big move—especially for small or midsize wineries where every dollar (and hour) counts. Maybe you’re wondering if now’s the right time. Or if you should keep doing it all yourself. Or how to even tell one agency apart from another when they all seem to promise the same things.…
Read MoreMarketing Your Winery in Year One: What to Focus On First
Starting a winery is exciting—but in a crowded market, great wine alone won’t get people through the door. In your first year, there’s a lot to do. Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does need to be intentional. Whether you just opened or are a few months out, here’s how to set your…
Read MoreGoogle Analytics for Wineries: What You Should Actually Be Tracking
Marketing your winery isn’t just about pretty labels and fun Instagram posts. If you have a website (and you should), you need to understand how people are actually using it. That’s where Google Analytics comes in. But let’s be real—most wineries either ignore their analytics or get overwhelmed by all the charts and numbers. You…
Read MoreDo People Really Buy Wine Online? What Wineries Should Know in 2025
Ask a small winery owner what they want from their website, and nine times out of ten, “selling more wine online” is at the top of the list. It makes sense—ecommerce is everywhere. But when it comes to wine, the truth is more nuanced. There’s a lot of buzz about wine e-commerce “booming,” and in…
Read MoreWinery Website Must-Haves: What Today’s Wine Buyers Expect Online
Winery Website Must-Haves: What Today’s Wine Buyers Expect Online Wine lovers still want a memorable in-person experience—but long before they visit your tasting room, they’re checking you out online. Your website is no longer just a digital brochure. It’s your first impression, your 24/7 concierge, your wine club salesperson, and your ecommerce storefront—all rolled into…
Read MoreHow Wineries Can Stay Visible in the Age of AI Search
The way people search is changing fast. Google is now generating AI-powered answers. People are asking ChatGPT and Perplexity for travel advice and wine recommendations. Instead of clicking links, they’re getting instant summaries. For wineries, this shift might seem overwhelming—but it’s actually a major opportunity. Because AI-powered search rewards the very things that make great…
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