Wine Industry Network’s Post

The First 30 Days In a New Wine Sales Job Are Critical. A wine rep who can't introduce every producer in their book after 30 days on the job should quit immediatley. Here Is The Thing You MUST Do to Ensure Success Selling Wine For a New Distributor. Major wine markets like Chicago are hyper-competitive. Even veteran wine reps have to hustle to defend placements. New reps who don't invest in learning their book in the first 30 days have already started to fail. Fortunately, reps needn't memorize tech sheets to be taken seriously but they do have to remember one sentence about each producer. Anchors: The Keys To Ensuring More Sales An anchor is a sentence that follows a pattern to introduce a producer logically, simply, and memorably. Anchors present global, regional, and local information in one sentence. “Julien Brocard makes wine at Les 7 Lieux in the French appellation of Chablis, with bottlings from all levels including Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and Chablis." Written properly, an anchor allows a rep to introduce an estate confidently in just one sentence. Assignment: During the first 30 days at your new job, write and repeat anchoring phrases for each of your producers until you can recall them easily. The Good News: It's Easier Than You Think Anchoring producers simplifies the biggest challenge most new reps face: digesting the portfolio. Working in an orderly fashion, a rep can write unique anchors for each winery in a region or country with a few hours of dedicated work. Further, the repeated structure reveals connections and relationships that will serve as valuable memory prompts. By the third producer in a region, even the most foreign names will sound familiar. In one sentence, a rep with anchors shows their customers that they are going to be a serious partner. Any new rep can do this, but not every new rep will. Where will you be after your first 30 days? #wine #wineindustry #winesales #salesjobs #hiringnow #imhiring Photo Credit: Gosia Matuszewska, Rishi Productions Chicago Model Featured in the Photo: Michael McAvena

UK Duty Freeze on alcohol - a game changer? Wine lovers are rejoicing over the UK government’s recent duty freeze, a promising sign of a listening administration. In the ever-evolving world of alcohol production and sales, understanding the market forces that create new windows of opportunity is paramount. As we navigate through the trends, it becomes clear that Ashton Winery (AW) offers a wealth of potential, particularly under the current alcohol duty freeze recently set by the UK government. This article explores reasons to seriously consider AW as potential new partners. 1. Financially Sound Decision: The first significant factor is the financial boost provided by the UK government's decision to freeze alcohol duty until August 1, 2024. This policy alleviates heavy financial burdens related to alcohol sales, such as additional excise duties. Partnering with AW in these tax-beneficial conditions can amplify revenue potential and generate significant savings. 2. Exceptional Quality: AW has a long-standing reputation for producing wines of exceptional quality. Crafted with love and remarkable attention to detail, their wines bring to the fore exquisite flavours that create lasting impressions on consumers. The high customer satisfaction levels directly translate into robust repeat sales and strong word-of-mouth marketing. 3. Sustainability Commitment: AW’s commitment to sustainable viticulture and winemaking practices is also worth noting. This commitment aligns with the increased consumer demand for eco-friendly products, offering partners a distinct advantage in today's increasingly conscious market. 4. Strong Brand Presence: Lastly, AW has already established a well-regarded brand presence outside of the UK. With an array of award-winning wines, AW has carved a distinctive place within the industry. This strong brand alignment can boost a partnership's credibility and consumer trust. In conclusion, considering AW as a potential new partner at a time when the UK government has frozen alcohol duty provides a unique, advantageous proposition. The partnership promises financial advantages courtesy of the duty freeze, access to high-quality products, alignment with sustainability goals, and association with a respected brand, all laying the foundation for a lucrative collaboration. See a recent critic review at our latest tasting event https://lnkd.in/eG2fk68Z Embrace the opportunity to join forces with Ashton Winery and soak up the benefits of this timely partnership. We look forward to receiving your enquiry. Mike Smyth Email - mike.smyth@ashtonwinery.co.uk Mobile – 07875172982

I LOVE SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES After having worked for many years in larger wineries, I simply love to use my expertise and capitalize on what I have learned over the years in the trade to support the many small and niche wineries here in Tuscany. And there are so many! Today I am joining a B2B Tuscan event in Florence supporting Eleonora Pieri from Poggio Stenti. A person that is both loyal client, reliable supplier and… valuable friend! 🥰 The market for Italian wines has seen various trends and cycles over the years. Twenty years ago, many small farmers were merely providing grapes or bulk wines to larger bottlers or wineries. Now, with the trend shifting towards the authentic expression of unique terroirs, rather than generic Tuscan wines, many of these former farmers have decided to organize themselves to produce and bottle their wines under their own brand names. This is a great cause for quality and authenticity. However, there are many struggles in the market to overcome international distribution challenges. As a result, many wine lovers worldwide find it difficult to locate these bottles in their local wine shops. My entrepreneurial venture began with this dual goal: ➡️ supporting small to niche wineries by promoting their wines in my direct-to-consumer activities, events, tastings, and sometimes offering consultancy tips for them as well. ➡️ On the other hand, I aim to provide wine lovers worldwide with the opportunity to receive unique labels straight from the producers – hidden Tuscan gems that are almost impossible to find locally. At some point in your career, you need to do something that not only pays the bills but also gives meaning to your position in the business. How do you feel about it? #wine #entrepeneur #winebusiness —— 🍷 I am Claudia, WSET Lev. 3 certified wine professional. If you are fascinated by Tuscany but you don't know how to scout the most authentic and unique wines of this region🍷 𝙎𝙪𝙗𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬! 📩

UK Duty Freeze on alcohol - a game changer?   Wine lovers are rejoicing over the UK government’s recent duty freeze, a promising sign of a listening administration.   In the ever-evolving world of alcohol production and sales, understanding the market forces that create new windows of opportunity is paramount. As we navigate through the trends, it becomes clear that Ashton Winery (AW) offers a wealth of potential, particularly under the current alcohol duty freeze recently set by the UK government. This article explores reasons to seriously consider AW as potential new partners. 1. Financially Sound Decision: The first significant factor is the financial boost provided by the UK government's decision to freeze alcohol duty until August 1, 2024. This policy alleviates heavy financial burdens related to alcohol sales, such as additional excise duties. Partnering with AW in these tax-beneficial conditions can amplify revenue potential and generate significant savings. 2. Exceptional Quality: AW has a long-standing reputation for producing wines of exceptional quality. Crafted with love and remarkable attention to detail, their wines bring to the fore exquisite flavours that create lasting impressions on consumers. The high customer satisfaction levels directly translate into robust repeat sales and strong word-of-mouth marketing. 3. Sustainability Commitment: AW’s commitment to sustainable viticulture and winemaking practices is also worth noting. This commitment aligns with the increased consumer demand for eco-friendly products, offering partners a distinct advantage in today's increasingly conscious market. 4. Strong Brand Presence: Lastly, AW has already established a well-regarded brand presence outside of the UK. With an array of award-winning wines, AW has carved a distinctive place within the industry. This strong brand alignment can boost a partnership's credibility and consumer trust.    In conclusion, considering AW as a potential new partner at a time when the UK government has frozen alcohol duty provides a unique, advantageous proposition. The partnership promises financial advantages courtesy of the duty freeze, access to high-quality products, alignment with sustainability goals, and association with a respected brand, all laying the foundation for a lucrative collaboration. See a recent critic review at our latest tasting event https://lnkd.in/eG2fk68Z Embrace the opportunity to join forces with Ashton Winery and soak up the benefits of this timely partnership. We look forward to receiving your enquiry. Mike Smyth Email - mike.smyth@ashtonwinery.co.uk Mobile – 07875172982

LINKEDIN IS ALL ABOUT NETWORKING 🤝 A while ago a small Tuscan winery reached out to me because they were struggling to find new export markets to expand into. They have the potential to double their bottles production but are currently unable to sell all their inventory, which is making them feeling so frustrated. Their wines are so beautiful, I encouraged them to keep pushing forward! And connected them with some importers in my network. Recently, they reached out to inform me that after months of stagnation, they have successfully entered two new markets! They were thrilled to share with me their progress. 🤝 LinkedIn is all about networking 🤝 If you can't assist someone directly, it's important to connect them with someone who can. While it may seem simple for you, it can make a significant impact for the other person. 𝐖𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞... 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲! If you're interested in learning more about the wineries I collaborate with, follow me 👉🏼 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢 and let's stay connected! If you are a fine wine importer looking for new wineries, feel free to DM me! I will be glad to share my best suggestions for interesting Tuscan wineries 🍷 #wine #entrepeneur #winebusiness —— 🍷 I am Claudia, WSET Lev. 3 certified wine professional. If you are fascinated by Tuscany but you don't know how to scout the most authentic and unique wines of this region🍷 𝙎𝙪𝙗𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙚-𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬! 📩

Introducing a New Winery To Your Sales Team: 1 Key to a Successful Launch I've introduced dozens of new wineries into the Chicago market at Candid Wines. Success doesn't depend on tech-sheets. "Leave-behinds" get left behind. Knowing the basics is important, but a successful launch depends on establishing a human connection. Always make it personal. Cast a Wide Net: Ten wine professionals will have ten reasons to identify with a wine. Specificity is a dangerous starting point. The country of origin will be relevant to some, while a winemaking technique will appeal to others. Start with the big picture, no matter how basic it seems. The broader the introduction, the more of your team members will be able to find a seat on this new bus. Discuss and Document First Impressions: A new lineup is only new once. Give team members the space to taste, and to savor the wines as wine lovers first. Ask what foods come to mind and with whom they might want to share each bottle. Prompt them to write, with a pen and paper, the answers to each of these questions. Each now has a physical record of their initial reaction that can be referenced for years to come. Look For One True Thing: Applying this idea from Hemingway is the hardest part. "All you have to do is write one true sentence...and then go on from there". Strip away everything external to the wine. Find something about the wine that is as true in Tokyo as it is in Tampa Bay. This takes practice and requires focus, but oh man, when you get your whole team looking for a single element of truth in a wine, a successful launch is all but guaranteed. Photo Credit: Gosia Matuszewska

Quality, with the involvement of the entire team...

Want to know more about Winter Wines? Read all about it, thanks to Ben Lennon and SAFarmer.

🍇🏆 Loudoun County's Success at the Virginia Governor's Cup 🏆🍇 We are pleased to announce significant achievements in the preliminary rounds of the 2024 #Virginia Governor's Cup. Out of over 750 wine entries evaluated, 137 wines from 79 wineries were distinguished with gold medal ratings. Notably, Loudoun County wineries, including Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, have secured 27 gold medals, underscoring our region's prominence in Virginia's wine industry. Willowcroft is proud to have our 2022 Merlot recognized with a bronze medal amidst this competitive field. This acknowledgment highlights our commitment to quality and positions us alongside esteemed peers in the Virginia wine community. As industry leaders and winemakers prepare to convene in Richmond for the final competition next month, we look forward to the opportunity to celebrate the excellence and innovation that characterize Virginia wines. The anticipation builds for announcing the Governor's Cup winner and selecting the top 12 wines for the Governor's Case. This year's Governor's Cup competition reflects the Virginia wine industry's vibrant growth and collaborative spirit. We congratulate all participating wineries for their achievements and contributions to elevating Virginia's status in the global wine market. ernors-cup-competition/article_21dda436-d0ce-11ee-921e-b79ebb96ed4a.html?utm_source=loudounnow.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletter%2Foptimize%2Fweekend-events-preview%2F%3F-dc%3D1708707115&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline