Posts by Cougar Digital

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

If you want more people stepping through your tasting room doors, local SEO is your secret weapon. It’s all about making sure your winery shows up when potential visitors search for places to drink, buy, or just enjoy wine nearby.  But local SEO doesn’t happen overnight. Unlike ads that can deliver quick results, SEO is…

Picture this: It’s Saturday morning. Someone’s scanning their calendar, trying to decide how to spend their one precious day off. Your winery is on the table—but so is a beach weekend. A brewery. A picnic. A quiet house and a good show.  The question they’re really asking isn’t which winery—it’s:  “Is this worth lining up…

People don’t buy wine. They buy what it represents. Relaxation. Celebration. A connection to a place, a memory, or even a version of themselves they wish they were. That’s the experience. So if your marketing plan is focused only on products, promos, and shipping rates, it’s time to rethink the strategy. The Best Brands Sell…