While looking through my email a week or so ago, I came across an email from the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail detailing some of the events and options for consumers to do different things at the wineries.
A couple of the events being offered at French Lick Winery, in French Lick Indiana caught my eye. The first one was an event called Wine and Canvas, which is a guided art class. The $35 fee includes everything needed for participants to create their own masterpiece. Wine and snacks are available for purchase from the winery during the class. The event, is held at the winery, though the reservations and purchase for the class, etc. is all done through Wine and Canvas a separate company, so there’s less work for the winery staff before the event.
I had heard of this type of event, as a friend of mine in Southern California went for an afternoon of Wine and Art, though this was not done through a winery. So it may be that there is something similar in your area.
The second event that John & Kim Doty, the owners of French Lick Winery are offering is “Abstract Art Wine Glass Painting” Participants take home with them, a set of four, unique abstract art 20oz wine glasses that they have painted themselves. Once again all the supplies are provided.
What a great idea. The question in my mind is where to put the winery logo on these glasses. I assume that the bowl of the glass will be painted, though perhaps placing the winery logo in a frosted square below the stem might work.
This event takes place next weekend (March 15) at the winery. I will be sure to give Kim or John a call, as I am very interested to know how the wine glass painting worked out. Perhaps they have some pics of the glasses that were pained. I wonder what wine they will be featuring for participants to take home to christen their hand-painted glasses. It’s a great reason for people to buy wine.
If you’re hosting events at your winery that are out of the ordinary, please let me know, I’d love to hear about them.
A tip of the glass from me to you
E column
by Elizabeth “E” Slater, In Short Direct Marketing
A recognized expert in the fields of direct marketing and sales in the wine marketplace. Slater has taught more wineries and winery associations how to create and improve the effectiveness of their direct marketing programs and to make the most of each customer’s potential than anyone in the wine industry today.
Follow E on twitter @esavant and facebook.
