Drink Local Wine Week
Drink Local Wine Week gives small wineries a chance to be noticed. It’s when bloggers and wine writers focus on bottles made nearby.
Leverage Drink Local Wine Week to drive foot traffic and direct sales for regional wineries and hospitality venues by positioning local wines as discovery-worthy alternatives to mainstream brands.
- Feature local winemakers' stories and behind-the-scenes vineyard content to build authentic community connection
- Create wine-and-food pairing guides highlighting regional producers paired with local cuisine
- Host or promote tasting events and winery tours during the week with exclusive discounts for participants
- User-generated content campaign: encourage customers to share their local wine discoveries with branded hashtags
Campaign ideas8
- Host a 'Local Winemaker Spotlight' tasting featuring 5-7 regional producers with food pairings; promote via email to wine club members and social; encourage attendees to post with #DrinkLocalWine
- Create limited-edition 'Local Wines Discovery Box' bundles—curate 3 local wines per region with pairing cards, tasting notes, and origin stories; offer exclusive pre-order pricing
- Partner with local farms & restaurants for 'Farm-to-Glass' dinners pairing local wines with seasonal, locally-sourced cuisine; livestream for remote customers
- Launch 'Local Wine Wednesday' recurring promotion: 15-20% off featured regional wines every week with sommelier tips; train staff to recommend local alternatives to imported bottles
- Develop an Instagram user-generated content campaign: encourage customers to share their 'local wine moment' with #DLWWeek + location tag; feature best posts, offer contest prizes
- Run in-store education workshops: 'Know Your Region' tasting seminars hosted by local winemakers or wine educators; ticket price can offset wine purchases
- Create a digital 'Local Wine Passport'—customers earn digital stamps for each local wine tried; collect stamps for discounts or exclusive local wine merch
- Sponsor a 'Drink Local Wine Week' festival or pop-up market with local wineries, food trucks, live music; partner with nearby restaurants for cross-promotion
Social angles6
- Taste where you live. 🍇 This week, we're celebrating the winemakers in our backyard. Discover bold reds, crisp whites & everything in between. #DrinkLocalWineWeek #LocalWines #SupportLocal
- Your favorite wine might be closer than you think. Meet the local winemakers pouring their hearts into every bottle. Which regional wine will YOU try first? #DLWWeek #LocalLove #WineWeek
- From grapes grown nearby to glass in hand—local wine tells OUR story. Join us for tastings, exclusive deals & a celebration of regional flavors. #DrinkLocal #WineCommunity #LocalMatters
- Small batch. Big flavor. Zero carbon from shipping. 🌍 Local wines = better for your palate & the planet. Tag a winemaker you love! #DrinkLocalWineWeek #LocalWines #SustainableWine
- Ever met the person who made your wine? This week, you can. Exclusive tastings + Q&As with local producers. Reserve your spot now! #DrinkLocal #WineTasting #SupportSmallBusiness
- Local wine Wednesday starts NOW 🍷 Every day this week, discover a new regional gem. Which region will become your new favorite? #DrinkLocalWineWeek #LocalFavorites #WineLovers
Ad copy starters5
“Taste Local This Week | Discover the wines being made right in your region. Limited-time tasting bundles now 20% off.”
“Meet Your Local Winemakers | Live tastings + exclusive local wine releases. One week only. [CTA: Reserve Now]”
“Local Wines, Bold Flavors | Support regional producers. Explore curated discovery boxes featuring wines from your area.”
“Your Region. Your Wine. | Celebrate Drink Local Wine Week with farm-to-glass tastings & exclusive regional pairings.”
“Closer Than You Think | Award-winning local wines now featured at special prices. Taste, discover, support local.”
Tips4
- Lead with storytelling—feature the winemakers, terroir, and local tradition. Consumers connect with people and place, not just product. Use video testimonials from local producers.
- Emphasize value & sustainability: local wines = fresher, lower shipping carbon, support community. This resonates with premium & eco-conscious buyers alike.
- Train your team to pivot wine recommendations from imported to local: 'If you like that French Burgundy, try this local Pinot.' Make staff champions of local discovery.
- Leverage influencers & UGC early: encourage customers to post tasting photos/stories; feature them, create buzz, & build community around local wine pride—paid ads alone won't cut it.
Drink Local Wine Week began in 2008 as a way to bring attention to wines made outside well-known regions. Two writers, Dave McIntyre of The Washington Post and blogger Jeff Siegel, launched the idea.
They noticed that smaller wine areas were often ignored by major publications. Together, they created a simple but strong plan: invite writers to focus one week each year on wines from their own states.
Soon after, Michael Wangbickler joined the effort and helped lead the group called Drink Local Wine.
At first, it was called Regional Wine Week. The goal stayed clear—highlight bottles made in places often left out of the national wine conversation.
Writers would visit wineries, talk to local makers, and publish blog posts or columns.
That wave of local stories helped introduce people to wines grown just down the road. Over time, more bloggers and readers joined in. The week became known by its current name and continued to grow.
Today, Drink Local Wine Week still sticks to its roots. It encourages people to find and talk about nearby producers.
The event gives a much-needed spotlight to local winemakers, especially in states not known for wine. It’s now a favorite time for discovery and connection.
Tasting at a Nearby Winery
Try visiting a local vineyard and tasting wines on site. You support local producers and meet the people behind the bottles. This method connects community and flavor in a genuine moment.
Host a Small Tasting Event
Set up a casual tasting at home or a small venue. Provide several regional bottles and snacks like cheese or bread. This gives friends a chance to compare flavors and chat in a relaxed space.
Join a Winery Event or Tour
Attend a local winery event, such as a label launch or outdoor music night. Many venues host special tastings or gatherings during this week.
Try a Wine and Food Pairing
Select local wines and pair them with foods from your region. Match lighter whites with fresh produce or bolder reds with hearty fare. This deepens appreciation for both wine and local cuisine.
Spread the Word Online
Write a short post or share photos about your favorite local wines. Tag wineries and use the event’s hashtag. You help others discover what’s in your neighborhood while supporting small producers.