In a recent Forbes article, respected wine writer Jessica Dupuy delivers a clear message for the wine industry: adapt or risk being left behind. She shares insights from Rob McMillan, Executive Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division. These insights cover what wineries need to do to connect with younger generations (especially Millennials and Gen Z) who are changing the way people think about wine.
“Beyond accessibility and social relevance, younger consumers also expect seamless digital experiences,” says McMillan. “Wineries should invest in robust e-commerce platforms, social media engagement, and direct-to-consumer marketing… Producers should own their messaging and frame wine as an experience rather than just a product.”
That’s exactly the vision behind Winelikes, and it’s already paving the way forward by creating a digital space where wine is more approachable, shareable, and community-driven so wineries can sell more wine.
The Online Wine Space Is Evolving, And So Should You
Today’s wine drinkers are tech-savvy, socially connected, and driven by experiences. They want transparency, personalized interactions, and digital engagement, usually long before they even step into a tasting room or buy a bottle.
Traditional methods like retail distribution, tasting room visits, and email marketing aren’t enough to keep up. To stay relevant, you as a winery need to prioritize fostering a community, sparking conversation, and offering seamless, direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
That’s exactly where Winelikes comes in. It not only brings wine lovers together in a modern, interactive space, but also gives you the perfect platform to market your wine directly to an engaged audience.
So What Exactly Is Winelikes?
Winelikes is the first social media app built exclusively for the online wine community. Think Instagram, but for people interested in wine. It blends social interaction, wine education through games and pairing tools, and soon, direct-to-consumer e-commerce with no markups or middlemen.
Here’s how Winelikes is already stepping up to meet the challenges outlined in the 2025 wake-up call article and adapting to changes in the industry:
1. A Seamless Digital Experience That Feels Native to Younger Audiences
Winelikes offers universal features that appeal to everyone in the wine industry- seasoned wine lovers and newcomers. This allows everyone to explore, connect, and shop on their own terms. Highlights include:
- Static posts and photo sharing for wine storytelling
- Short-form video features for things like vineyard walkthroughs, behind-the-scenes content, and live tastings
- Interactive discussions where winemakers, sommeliers, and enthusiasts can connect
- Games and quizzes that keep users coming back, learning, and creating opportunities for wineries
2. Social Selling Without the Influencer Dependence
McMillan claims that influencer marketing alone isn’t enough anymore. And he’s right. Today’s younger wine drinkers want more than endorsements because they can see right through it; they want to hear directly from the people behind the bottle: winemakers, family growers, boutique producers.
Winelikes gives wineries the tools to own their story and build lasting connections. With Winelikes, wineries can:
- Create a winemaker profile to engage directly with followers
- Host conversations around vintages, sustainability, or food pairings
- Share your brand’s story, values, and the people behind the label
- Get recognized with a green grape badge (coming soon for verified winemakers)
From a marketing perspective, Winelikes is different. Unlike traditional platforms, it doesn’t insert itself into your sales funnel. There’s no middleman, no added fees, and you retain full control of your customer data and experience. It’s a direct connection between winery and wine lover. This is how you humanize your brand, and how Winelikes helps you foster long-term relationships, not just drive one-time sales.
3. Engage Through Wine Games and Reward-Based Interaction
Forget boring banner ads. Winelikes leverages gamification to bring wine drinkers to your brand organically and repeatedly. Here’s how:
- Wine Quizzes: Fun trivia about your wines with instant rewards—users answer correctly and receive a discount code (e.g., 10% off your flagship Syrah).
- Winedle (Wine + Wordle): A daily Wordle-style game where wineries sponsor the word of the day, ending with a pop-up linking to your DTC site and a promo code.
- Winelikes Bingo: Wineries sponsor bingo squares that prompt users to try a wine, visit your site, or follow your winemaker—turning brand discovery into a game.
4. A Chance to Align the Wine Industry’s Younger Audience
Today’s younger wine consumers are more value-driven. They care about:
- Organic practices
- Low-intervention or natural winemaking
- Sustainable packaging and carbon footprints
- Brand authenticity and social responsibility
Winelikes gives wineries the platform to tell their sustainability story clearly and authentically to drinkers in the wine industry. Whether it’s a static post, short video, or Q&A thread, you can show your practices and build trust with a new generation of wine drinkers.
Start Now and Own the Future of Wine
Jessica Dupuy and Rob McMillan are right. The wine industry must change to appeal to beginner wine drinkers. The wineries that thrive will be those who embrace digital tools and take control of their brand story. That’s exactly why Winelikes was created: to help wineries reach the right audience by connecting, engaging, and selling in today’s online wine world. Whether you’re a boutique label or a legacy estate, Winelikes makes it easy—and right now, it’s free to join and promote. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, from setting up your profile to launching your first campaigns and even exploring custom game integrations that reflect your unique varietals. Don’t wait for the future to arrive.
Download Winelikes today on Apple iOS or Android, and start growing your DTC presence.
Need help getting started? Email us at [email protected]
