Guests are bored. Make wine tasting fun — or lose them for good.
Once upon a time, the standard seated wine tasting was enough to keep tasting rooms buzzing. But in 2025, wineries and tasting rooms need to pivot to stay relevant. Today’s wine consumers want more than just a lineup of pours and polite small talk — they want to be entertained, engaged, and part of something memorable they can share with friends and post about online.
One of the smartest moves in 2025 is to attract your local community, not just tourists. Locals crave easy, fun experiences close to home — and interactive events that double as a couples’ date night are the perfect way to keep your tasting room busy all year long.
Wineries that understand this shift are seeing packed calendars, loyal regulars, and higher wine sales — while those sticking to the old playbook are wondering why foot traffic is dwindling.
So, what do modern wine lovers crave? Experiences that combine wine with something interactive, creative, or just plain fun — and make it easy for local couples to turn your tasting room into their new favorite date-night spot. Here are five wine tasting events that reliably sell out and keep guests coming back for more:
These casual art classes paired with wine have become wildly popular. Guests get to uncork their creativity, socialize, and leave with a masterpiece (or at least a fun conversation piece).
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition? Hosting Bingo or Trivia in the tasting room turns a regular night into an event. These are perfect for local couples looking for a midweek or weekend date night that’s easy, fun, and unique.
A serene way to spend a weekend morning — guests flow through a yoga session surrounded by vines, then reward themselves with a tasting flight. It’s healthy, Instagrammable, and always a hit with wellness-minded locals and visitors alike.
Take things up a notch with intimate dinners hosted by your winemaker. Guests love the behind-the-scenes stories, unique food pairings, and the chance to ask questions directly to the person behind the wine. Couples love these for special date nights, anniversaries, or double dates.
Whether it’s an acoustic set on the lawn or an outdoor movie under the stars, pairing wine with entertainment turns your tasting room into a local go-to for laid-back date nights.
One of the biggest mistakes wineries make is waiting too long to announce their events. Successful hosts know that most people plan their social calendars weeks or even months ahead — especially for weekend getaways and special date nights.
Aim to post your events at least 2–3 months in advance to capture early planners and give your marketing efforts time to build momentum. Last-minute postings almost always mean lost ticket sales.
Not every idea will be a smash hit the first time. That’s why it’s smart to test at least 3–4 different types of events each season until you learn what your guests love most. Maybe your crowd loves outdoor fitness, maybe they prefer culinary pairings, or maybe they can’t resist a fun local date night.
Once you know what resonates, you can double down — and keep surprising your visitors with new twists that keep your tasting room fresh and exciting.
With CellarPass, posting, promoting, and selling tickets for your events is simple — and your guests can easily discover, plan, and book their next unforgettable experience. So ditch the boring lineup. Give your guests something to talk about — and a reason to come back again and again.
Want help getting started? Contact us today and let’s turn your tasting room into the most entertaining spot in wine country.
