Seven wine-related innovations sprouting from COVID-19 #lockdown
Wine and hospitality companies around the world are pivoting their business models in creative ways during the #lockdown and #COVID19 crisis.
· 3 min read
WineLand Media is committed to giving airtime to any wine or hospitality business that shows real creative innovation during the #COVID19 #lockdown. Share your stories with us and use the hashtag #isolationinnovation. Email [email protected] | Check out out social media pages @WineLandSA or @winelandmedia
Here are some of our favourite #isolationinnovation stories that has popped up on our radar recently:
- Drive-through wine service
If you can get out of the house but don’t fancy getting out of the car and live in Norfolk, England, Flint Vineyard near Bungay is offering a drive through wine service. “Drive past the tasting room window to stock up on wine a possibly a ’15 Mile goodie bag’ of local cheese, charcuterie and artisan bread,” says Flint’s Hannah Witchell. [Source]
- Soda the delivery dog
A winery in Maryland has taken a creative approach to social distancing, enlisting the help of an 11-year-old boxer called Soda to deliver bottles to customers. At Stone House Urban Winery, Soda is equipped with a saddle bag with space for two bottles and walks out to customers waiting in the car park to deliver the wine. [Source]
- #Lockdown price-cut campaign
Port2Port launched a lockdown initiative allowing consumers to purchase key wines from some of its top producers at exceptional prices for as long as lockdown lasts. The aim? To support the South African wine industry in an unprecedented time of forced inactivity. [Source]
- #SAWineLockDown keeps conversation going
Four women in wine, Janet Rowsell, Elvina Snell Fortuin, Roxanne La Vita, Leanne Beattie came up with the #SAWineLockDown online initiative, encouraging consumers and influencers to share their favourite varietals from various producers on each given day. [Source]
- Virtual tasting rooms
Some wineries have taken the tasting room experience online. De Grendel Wine Estate even launched a series on social #TogetherWithWine where winemaker and cellar master Charles Hopkins, takes centre stage to tell viewer all about the estate’s various offerings. Oldenburg Vineyards’ winemaker Nic van Aarde also recently hosting a live tasting [Source]
- Distell’s hand sanitiser project
On 26 March, Distell Group announced that it will commit 100 000 litres of alcohol for the production of hand sanitisers and other hygienic products at its facilities as part of its efforts to help curb the spread of the #COVID19 pandemic. [Source]
- Stellies restaurants tackle self-isolation
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, right before #lockdown, three new food delivery options shot up over the course of 48 hours in Stellenbosch. Bertus Basson’s Pasta Rapido and Bertus se Huiskos including The Mill Coffee House announced new takeaway menus, curbside services or ready-made meal options to accommodate social distancing. [Source]
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