Positioning Brannan Center for greatness.

My family moved to Calistoga in 2019, and until this year I commuted out of town for work in Rutherford, where I spent 50+ hours a week building on a family-owned brand with roots dating back to 1973. It was a rewarding but rather consuming experience, leaving me with little gas in the tank for local exploration after hours.

This year, having stepped away to found Dunstan Creative, I’ve been able to spend purposeful time in Calistoga. I’ve committed to supporting this town through various civic efforts, and I’ve been more present and available for my children’s school activities and extracurriculars. For the first time, it truly feels like home.

I was introduced to the founders of Brannan Center last year, and invited to join its board of directors. I eventually took on the role of marketing and public relations chair, working to redefine the organization’s brand guidelines and bring all of creative assets in line, to formalize its mission and vision, and to communicate its messaging through press and social media.

I have met incredible leaders, friends and neighbors through the process, and I’m honored to be in their company as we bring this dream to fruition. Our mission is to empower the greater UpValley community with opportunities to experience performing arts and community programming that celebrate culture and promote vitality in our region. We envision creating a space that restores, enlivens and cultivates the human spirit through community, creativity and learning.

This week, we launched our new web site, a project I volunteered to lead. I invite you to follow along as this exquisite reconstruction unfolds both on the blog at BrannanCenter.org and on Facebook and Instagram. We’ll be opening the doors in the latter part of 2025. Plan your visit to this idyllic Wine Country town and be sure to take in a show or participate in a workshop, lecture or class. The opportunities for enrichment will be endless.

Styled photography sells.

Positioned in your luxury wine e-mail marketing campaign and e-commerce channels, print collateral, web design and social media, every element in your commercial photography should be working in concert to tell your brand story, strengthening the overall message.

In many cases, the story of a wine can be visually expressed through professional photography styling with items that represent flavors and aromas of the wines, or hint at the winemaking process. Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, pears, lemons, pineapple, ripe melon, stone and oak might represent a Chardonnay, for example. Often red or black berries, cherries, herbs and cocoa will be paired with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

While those curated collections are thoughtful and beautiful, they can become repetitive year after year if your wine is produced consistently each vintage.

In this curated flat lay photo for Cakebread Cellars, I styled the wine with items that that would highlight the season and complement the verdant glass bottle of Napa Valley Chardonnay. Fresh magnolia and eucalyptus greens are a nod to the local flora of the region, while cymbidium orchids and fresh-cut delicata squash add warm fall tones that evoke freshness and vitality. The squash works double duty in that it was harvested from the winery's culinary garden, a cornerstone of the Cakebread Cellars brand. The various seed pods and dried grasses contribute to the harvest vibe without leading the mind to wander.

Today's consumers are craving top quality content on all channels. If the quality of your photo styling and photography doesn't align with the quality of your product, it's a disservice to your brand. Investing in these areas strategically (note the removal of the vintage for evergreen usability here) is an absolute must.

Are you interested in professional photography styling for your winery sales and marketing efforts? Drop us a line to learn how we'll captivate and engage your audience, aligning the quality of your imagery with the quality of your product to drive conversion.

Photo by Grove Haus

Craft holiday sales emails that convert.

The holiday season is in full swing, and with just two months left in Q4, your email campaign strategy will either make or break the 2023 budget. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of creating an effective email campaign that will inspire your audience to make unforgettable wine choices this holiday season.

Know Your Audience: Before you start crafting your email campaign, it’s essential to understand your audience. Are you targeting wine enthusiasts, corporate gift buyers, or those looking for a memorable holiday gift? Tailor your email content and design to cater to the specific needs and preferences of your target audience.

Craft Compelling Content: Your email should tell a story. Highlight the unique qualities of your Napa and Sonoma wines, such as terroir, grape varietals, and the expertise of the winemakers. Share the history of the winery, its commitment to sustainability, and any awards or accolades received. Make sure your content is engaging and informative.

Stunning Imagery: Visuals are crucial in the world of luxury wines. Use high-quality images of the vineyards, wine bottles, and the Wine Country landscape to immerse your readers in the experience. Include photos of wine tastings, vineyard tours, and the winemakers themselves to add a personal touch.

Limited-Time Offers: Create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers and exclusive promotions. Encourage your subscribers to make a purchase during the holiday season by offering special discounts, bundles, or complimentary tastings when they visit the winery.

Personalization: Personalize your emails by addressing recipients by name and tailoring recommendations based on their previous interactions or purchase history. Make them feel like they’re receiving a unique and curated wine selection just for them.

Storytelling: Share the stories behind the wines and the people who make them. Whether it’s the winemaker’s passion for crafting the perfect blend or the winery’s commitment to sustainable practices, compelling narratives can create a stronger emotional connection with your audience.

Mobile Optimization: Ensure your email is mobile-friendly as many people check their emails on smartphones. A responsive design is essential to provide a seamless experience for all users.

Call to Action: Each email should have a clear call to action (CTA) that directs recipients to your website for making a purchase. Use persuasive language and a prominent CTA button to guide your readers.

Have questions or need help crafting an email campaign strategy that converts? Give us a call.

Happy holidays, everyone!

Cheers,

Aime

Welcome harvest 2023.

As the warm, golden days of summer gradually transition into the cool, crisp embrace of autumn, there’s one event that wine enthusiasts and nature lovers eagerly anticipate in Napa Valley: the annual harvest season. With the 2023 vintage just around the corner, it’s time to explore why harvest time in Napa Valley is both exciting and fun, while also delving into the expectations for this promising year.

Napa Valley’s picturesque landscapes come to life during the harvest season. Lush vineyards, heavy with clusters of ripe grapes, create a tapestry of vibrant colors against a backdrop of the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges. The sight of crews carefully picking grapes by hand and the hum of machinery in action adds an extra layer of charm to this idyllic setting.

Renowned chefs and restaurants in the region celebrate this time of year with special menus that pair perfectly with the celebratory atmosphere. Food and wine enthusiasts can indulge in delectable dishes that complement wines from vintages past as we anticipate the next.

Napa Valley is renowned for its diverse grape varietals, from the rich Cabernet Sauvignon to the elegant Chardonnay. Each grape variety has its unique character, and the anticipation of how these grapes will express themselves in the 2023 vintage is part of the excitement.

Behind every exceptional wine is a skilled winemaker. Harvest is when their artistry shines brightest as they make crucial decisions about when to pick the grapes, how to ferment them, and how long to age the wine. Their expertise and intuition are vital in shaping the vintage’s ultimate quality.

Napa Valley’s climate plays a pivotal role in the quality of its wine, and 2023 has seen near-perfect weather conditions. Winter and Spring rains filled the soils, fueling the growing season. Mild temperatures and consistent sunshine created comfortable growing conditions for harvest, which is beginning two to four weeks later than usual as a result. The 2023 grapes have airplane mode, and it's time to switch on.

Harvest time in Napa Valley is more than a seasonal event; it’s a celebration of nature’s bounty, the artistry of winemaking, and the joy of savoring exceptional wines. As we eagerly await the release of the 2023 vintage, the expectations are high for a year that promises to deliver wines of distinction, embodying the very essence of Napa Valley’s terroir and craftsmanship. So, raise your glasses to the excitement and fun of Napa Valley’s harvest season, and let the anticipation of 2023 vintage transport you to this wine lover’s paradise.

The power of community.

Growing up, my family never laid down roots. I was born near Sanibel Island, Florida, but moved to Big Bear Lake, California, before my first birthday. Life continued in that manner between various resort towns where my mother worked as an architect in Florida, California, Colorado and the Cayman Islands.

A great benefit to the rolling stone lifestyle is that I feel at home just about anywhere. But I didn't truly become a part of a community until my early 20s.

My husband and I met in college. After graduation, we fixed up a little Mid Century bungalow in the Flamingo Park Historic District of West Palm Beach. The neighborhood association organized monthly happy hours, each hosted by a different resident, and we signed up to host. It was the first time I'd ever met my neighbors, let alone forged actual relationships. I fell in love with entertaining at home and exploring the places and people around us.

I eventually joined the Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association board of directors, chaired the garden tour and the holiday home tour year after year. A neighbor-turned-friend introduced me to the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, where I served on the development committee in support of children's welfare. I eventually joined the board of directors there, too.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when I was 30. My first son was not yet one at the time. One of the most incredible components of that experience was how the community showed up for my family.

Another of those neighbors-turned-friends regularly sat with my son so I could work or get my nails done or just take a nap. Another brought lunch to just about every chemo session, and she stayed with me for treatment the six hours every other Monday for six months. The casseroles and flowers arrived near daily. A friend who'd lined up a musical performance for a charity event arranged to have the group serenade us a cappella at our front door after hours.

It was magical. That community turned one of the darkest times in my life into a miraculous experience. We talk a lot about giving back to the community, but it is truly the community that gives back to us if we chose to invest in it.

This year in Calistoga, I am proud to serve as President of Calistoga Little League. Having served as Vice President and Fund-Raising Chair since 2020, I have worked alongside some incredible volunteers and have the pleasure of meeting the players' families, as well as our generous sponsors.

In 2022, I joined the board of directors for Brannan Center as Marketing and Communications Chair, which I am incredibly excited about. Brannan Center represents the restoration of a historic church at the heart of our little town, revitalizing a once-cherished community gathering place.

Area residents and visitors will come together for entertainment, education and community. Students of our local public schools and visiting artists will benefit from state-of-the-art music and theater performance space. Nonprofits will have the opportunity to leverage the space for programming and fund-raising.

It will truly be a gift to see this come to fruition.

Construction broke ground in March, and we expect to open following 30 months of construction. In the meantime, you will catch me revamping the web site, designing print and digital collateral, and keeping the community informed of our progress. For more information or to make a donation, please visit BrannanCenter.org (I haven't redesigned it just yet - stay tuned).

But whatever you do, get involved. Dive in. Make a splash. Feel the magic that is being a part of your community, and keep that feeling alive. It is worth every minute.