Get Your Winery Ready for Fall: Easy Events That Drive Sales & Visits
As the summer winds down and cooler temperatures roll in, wine country transforms into a vibrant landscape of golden vines, ripening grapes, and bustling harvest activity. Fall is one of the most exciting—and potentially profitable—times of year for wineries and tasting rooms. But with all the action in the vineyards and cellar, it's easy to overlook one of your most important assets: the tasting room.
Now is the time to plan ahead for the fall season. The key? Creating simple, engaging harvest-themed experiences that invite guests in, encourage wine purchases, and deepen their connection to your brand.
Whether you're short on staff, time, or resources, here are 10 easy grape harvest event ideas that require minimal prep, but can yield big returns:
Offer a limited-time happy hour with fall-themed flights or by-the-glass specials. Pair with light bites like seasonal flatbreads or charcuterie. Bonus points for playing acoustic music on the patio at golden hour.
Set up a small barrel or bin with sanitized grapes (or even faux grapes) where guests can do a symbolic grape stomp. Add props, signage, and a backdrop for Instagram-worthy photo ops.
Host quick, behind-the-scenes crush pad tours at scheduled times during the day. Let guests peek into the winemaking process, smell the fermentation, and taste fresh juice. Keep it short and fun—15 minutes max.
Etsy-style events are all the rage at tasting rooms these days. Partner with a local flower farm to offer a bouquet-making station on weekends. Guests can build their own mini fall bouquet with harvest flowers. Get creative and offer a wine pairing suggestion for each color palette!
Set up a small fire pit station with gourmet s’mores kits and pair them with late harvest wines or port-style pours. Guests love cozy, fireside moments—and they’re likely to stay for a second glass.
Offer a short, guided tour of your vineyard that highlights the colors, clusters, and harvest activity. No fancy scripting needed—just share what’s happening that day in the vines.
Give guests a small basket and let them snip a few clusters (from a designated row) while sipping a glass of wine. It’s a tactile, Instagrammable experience that connects them directly to the fruit.
Create a fun, casual trivia night or wine bingo with questions about harvest, your vineyard, or general wine knowledge. Offer prizes like discounts, logo merch, or a complimentary splash.
Host an evening screening of a harvest-themed film or wine documentary in your barrel room or outdoor space. Offer blankets, popcorn, and a glass of wine. Keep it cozy and casual.
Create a simple station where guests can label a special harvest bottle with their own message or artwork. This makes for a unique keepsake or gift and encourages wine purchases.
Pro Tip: Make Fall Events Easier to Manage with CellarPass
If you’re planning a series of fall experiences, simplify the ticketing process using the CellarPass Season Pass Manager. This tool lets you sell a single pass that grants access to multiple events—whether free for wine club members or discounted for VIPs and special guests. It’s a fantastic way to drive repeat visits, reward loyalty, and reduce check-in friction while making your fall calendar feel like a curated journey.
Make It Simple, Make It Seasonal
You don’t need to plan a major festival to take advantage of fall tourism. With thoughtful, seasonal touches, you can create engaging experiences that feel authentic to your brand—and leave a lasting impression.
Promote these events through your newsletter, social media, and platforms like CellarPass to maximize visibility. Guests are looking for reasons to return to wine country this fall. Give them an experience they’ll talk about (and toast to) all season long.
