The holiday rush is here but it is not too late to make it your most successful season yet. Even in November and December, small and thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference. Whether you are finalizing your winery ecommerce promotions, refining fulfillment workflows, or getting creative with holiday wine marketing and gifting, now is the time to maximize your DTC wine sales and deliver a memorable customer experience that carries into the new year.
The weeks leading up to the holidays are full of opportunity for wineries. Shoppers are actively searching for meaningful wine gifts online, club members are placing reorders, and first-time buyers are discovering new favorites through your online wine store. A few intentional steps such as highlighting gift-ready wine bundles, promoting wine club gifting options, optimizing your checkout process, and sending personalized messages can turn seasonal momentum into long-term loyalty.
Here is your eCELLAR checklist to finish the holiday sales season strong and start 2026 with confidence and momentum.
1. Focus on Quick Wins Using Your Data
Start with what your data already tells you.
- Which wines sold best last November and December?
- Which channels brought in the most revenue — tasting room, club, or web?
- Who are your top buyers, gift purchasers, and lapsed guests?
Use your Saved Searches in eCELLAR to identify and target those audiences quickly. Create simple, segmented email lists such as “holiday wine buyers,” “former club members,” or “customers who have not purchased in six months.”
💡 Pro Tip: A well-timed, segmented campaign to your “holiday buyers” list will outperform a general blast every time and help you make the most of your winery ecommerce strategy.
2. Make Gift Buying Simple
Holiday shoppers don’t want complexity, they want ready-to-go options.
- Bundle your best sellers into pre-curated wine gift sets by price or occasion such as “Dinner Party Reds,” “Holiday Sparkling Trio,” or “Winemaker Favorites.”
- Clearly show which sets are ready to ship and include optional gift packaging.
- Promote gift memberships for your wine club as the perfect last-minute option that keeps your brand top of mind all year.
- Create a one-page Corporate Gifting link with an order form or contact details for concierge service. This is a great way to attract new B2B customers looking for business gifts during the holiday season.
💡 Pro Tip: Add a “Gift Guide” link at the top of your website and in every holiday email so buyers can find your most giftable wines in one click.
3. Refresh Your Online Store Before Peak Traffic
Most of your holiday visitors will be new or infrequent shoppers, so make sure your website feels effortless.
- Most of your holiday visitors will be new or infrequent shoppers, so make sure your online wine store feels effortless and trustworthy.
- Feature your holiday bundles and shipping cutoffs prominently.
- Double-check and test promo codes, club discounts, and inventory availability to ensure a smooth checkout process.
- Run a web test purchase from start to finish (void the order afterward) to confirm your customers enjoy a smooth buying experience.
- Add banners that build urgency such as “Order by December 15 for Christmas Delivery.”
- Use high-quality product photography and clear pricing for every item
💡 Pro Tip: Use your eCELLAR reporting to monitor web sales by day and adjust featured products or banners based on what is selling. Small, data-informed updates can significantly boost your holiday wine sales.
4. Engage Your Club Members First
Your club members are your most loyal advocates and your strongest DTC wine sales channel. Now is the perfect time to make them feel appreciated and connected.
- Send a thank-you message and early access to your holiday wine offers.
- Encourage gifting through them with messages like “Share your favorite wines with friends and family.”
- Offer club members an incentive or an exclusive holiday bundle available only to them.
- Remind members that club pricing applies to gift orders too, which can increase average order size during the busiest time of the year.
💡 Pro Tip: Even a simple email that opens with gratitude such as “We are thankful for your continued support” can drive meaningful sales and strengthen loyalty.
5. Use Email to Stay Top of Mind
You do not need complex automations to stay connected, just consistent, thoughtful communication through your winery email marketing.
- Plan one message per week through December focusing on value, gifting, and shipping reminders.
- Alternate between storytelling (your team, harvest memories, favorite holiday pairings) and selling (limited offers, bundles, and shipping deadlines).
- Segment your messages by audience: club members versus general customers, tasting room guests versus online shoppers.
- Use strong visuals such as cozy settings, people enjoying your wines, and behind-the-scenes winery moments to humanize your brand.
💡 Tip: Do not underestimate “last chance” emails. Those final shipping reminders consistently outperform earlier promotions and often bring in your highest conversion rates of the season.
6. Tighten Fulfillment and Shipping
A great sale is only a success when the order arrives on time and in perfect condition.
- Confirm your inventory counts and packaging supplies early to avoid last-minute surprises.
- Add clear shipping cutoff messaging across your emails, website, and order confirmations.
- Offer winery pickup or Bay Area delivery options to capture last-minute sales once carrier deadlines pass.
- Keep your team in sync with daily inventory and fulfillment reports so everyone knows what is shipping, what is pending, and what requires attention.
💡 Pro Tip: Accurate data and clean communication are just as important as great offers when it comes to customer satisfaction and repeat business.
7. Add Holiday Magic to the Experience
The little details matter both online and in the tasting room.
- Update your website banners and email headers with festive imagery that aligns with your winery brand.
- Create a small Gift Bar in your tasting room for easy grab-and-go bottles and bundles.
- Offer tasting notes or recipe cards as free add-ins for wine gift sets to inspire recipients.
- Host a Sip and Shop night with local partners or artisans to bring the community together.
- Highlight experiences that can be gifted such as tastings, private tours, or upcoming events in the new year.
- Add handwritten thank-you notes in shipments or play a holiday playlist in the tasting room to remind guests why they love your brand.
💡 Pro Tip: Even small touches such as a thank-you note in every shipment or a holiday playlist in the tasting room remind guests why they love your brand.
8. Plan for Post-Holiday Momentum
When the holiday rush winds down, the next opportunity begins.
- Send a thank-you email to all December buyers and include a special offer for January or Valentine’s Day to keep engagement strong.
- Use a saved search to tag all holiday purchasers so you can reach them early next fall with exclusive previews.
- Create a January campaign that invites gift recipients to join your mailing list or your wine club to continue enjoying your wines.
- Review your eCELLAR performance reports to see which wines sold fastest, which discounts worked best, and where fulfillment or shipping delays occurred.
💡 Pro Tip: Document everything while it’s fresh. It will make next year’s planning faster and smarter.
The Takeaway
Finish the year strong by focusing on what truly matters: clear offers, genuine hospitality, and meaningful connections with your customers. Every touchpoint, from your website and email campaigns to your tasting room and thank-you note, is an opportunity to strengthen loyalty that lasts well beyond the holidays.
Keep it simple, keep it personal, and keep connecting.
eCELLAR brings your DTC winery operations together in one platform including ecommerce, wine club management, POS, and customer data so you can sell more wine, serve your customers better, and create memorable experiences all year long.
New to eCELLAR? Schedule a demo or reach out to sales@ecellar1.com to learn how eCELLAR can help you finish the season with confidence.
