Wine Advertising Campaigns: Brilliant Examples That Poured Success 🍇
Let’s uncork some inspiration. These wine advertising campaigns have cleverly combined storytelling, star power, and digital innovation to win hearts—and sales. Here are six standout case studies demonstrating how memorable messaging can transform a bottle into a brand experience.
1. Invivo Wines x Graham Norton – Celebrity Authenticity
Campaign: Invivo Wines partnered with TV host Graham Norton to launch the “Graham Norton’s Own” Sauvignon Blanc. The campaign was rooted in authenticity—Norton helped blend the wine and was featured prominently in visuals, events, and crowdfunding efforts.
Why it worked: Norton’s star power unlocked new audiences, while his genuine involvement built trust (gourmetads.com). The partnership also won the NZ Marketing Awards, evidencing both buzz and brand impact.
2. Josh Cellars – Personality-Driven Humor
Campaign: Josh Cellars personified its wine through the fictional “Josh” persona. A virally successful SNL sketch (“I love that it’s called Josh…”) highlighted the brand in pop culture. Their “Joshgiving” campaign with Josh Groban extended this humor to the Thanksgiving season.
Impact: Memes and media propelled reach. Notably, one SNL sketch gave them mainstream visibility, while charitable positioning reinforced brand goodwill .
3. Bogle & La Crema – Storytelling Beyond Labels
Campaign: Bogle Vineyards launched “Beyond the Bottle,” a multimedia series exploring people, place, and production behind their wines. La Crema followed with “Savor the Journey,” using immersive digital content and virtual tours of their vineyards.
Outcome: The content-rich approach boosted brand credibility and emotional connection—leading to deeper engagement and loyalty .
4. Wine.com – Live Wine Tastings
Campaign: Wine.com hosted live virtual wine tastings led by sommeliers and winemakers, available via webcast and interactive chat. These events paired online ordering with engaging, educational sessions.
Result: Engagement surged and direct-to-consumer sales rose, as participants purchased featured wines mid-stream .
5. Mumm Napa – #TheToast Community Campaign
Campaign: Mumm Napa asked consumers to share their celebratory toasts using the hashtag #TheToast, showcasing real moments of connection—from dinners to big milestones.
Impact: The hashtag created social community around the brand, increasing UGC and sharing .
6. Pernod Ricard – DR3 x St Hugo Launch
Campaign: St Hugo teamed up with F1 superstar Dan Ricciardo to create “DR3 x St Hugo,” a limited-edition line aimed at younger wine drinkers. The launch included in-store ambushes at Dan Murphy’s, social media campaigns featuring Ricciardo, and a film to tell their story.
Outcome: The first 1,000-case release sold out instantly. Pernod Ricard credited the campaign with engaging younger consumers and complementing their broader range .
7. Paul Masson & Orson Welles – Classic Tagline, Media Buzz
Campaign: In the late 1970s, actor/director Orson Welles starred in ads for Paul Masson, coining the memorable line:
“We will sell no wine before its time.”
The ads became cultural touchstones—amplified by parodies, leaked out-takes, and enduring public fascination (en.wikipedia.org).
Lesson: A memorable tagline and recognizable face can create long-lasting brand recall—even when the campaign veers into humorous territory.
Lessons from These Wine Advertising Campaigns
Across these campaigns, several themes emerge:
- Authentic Partnerships: Norton working on wine creation; Ricciardo as co-creator—these campaigns go beyond slap-on celebrity cameo.
- Storytelling Over Selling: Bogle, La Crema, Mumm Napa—all prioritise emotional connection, not just product features.
- Social-First Creativity: UGC hashtags, viral humor, and real-time engagement amplify visibility.
- Multichannel Mix: From virtual events (Wine.com) to retail activations (St Hugo), these campaigns blend digital, in-store, and PR efforts.
- Buzz Through Memes & Earned Media: Josh Cellars’ memes and Paul Masson’s out-takes generated free publicity and lasting impressions.
Crafting Your Own Wine Advertising Campaigns
Use this blueprint to design your next campaign:
- Define Your Angle – Celebrity story? Sustainability? Storytelling?
- Select the Right Channel – Social media, virtual events, retail, or all three.
- Design Native Content – Videos, hashtags, interactive experiences tailored to each platform.
- Measure Engagement – Track UGC, hashtag use, sales lift, and reach.
- Iterate & Scale – Expand standout elements, drop underperformers, and double down on what resonates.
Final Sip
These wine advertising campaigns prove that creativity, authenticity, and strategic storytelling turn bottles into experiences. Whether you lean on celebrity partnerships, compelling narratives, or social-first content, building campaigns that engage emotionally, spark buzz, and drive sales is the ultimate goal.
Inspired? Let’s draft your next campaign—mixing the right voice, visuals, and vibe to captivate your audience. Cheers to campaigns that pour personality and performance into every sip!