Virtual tastings here to stay?

If businesses have had a teaching moment from the last few months, it’s understanding the importance of planning and pivoting.

Or planning to pivot the next time something like a pandemic comes along.

Those in the culinary and libations worlds had to quickly switch to take out, delivery, and free shipping, as a start. Many in the drinks sector started jumping on Zoom for virtual tastings, thanks to the lack of in-person experiences until recently.

Assuming that we are a long way from escaping this “covidisruption” and anticipating further change in 2020, now is the time to plan to make these virtual tastings part of an overall strategy.

Heck, why not do these when there’s a snowstorm, or a road closure, or something else less than a pandemic?

Some thoughts on how to make these entertaining, engaging, even exciting.

Get a microphone

You don’t need something too fancy, but if you’ve run tasting webinars or live streams and the sound is bad, all everyone can think of is…is the sound this bad for everyone?

Do a test run with your device to see if it’s good enough. If not, invest a Bluetooth lapel mic to sync with your device. Remember to sanitize it after each use.

Avoid bad lighting

Sure, having people join you virtually in your barrel room, production area, or cavernous brewery might look impressive, but the lighting is not made for video. Plus, it’s an echo chamber.

Natural light is best – outdoors or by a window, or ask a photographer friend of you can borrow a light or for tips to use your space better.

Make it an invite-only event

Wine club, growler club, VIP purchasers or fans – give them an exclusive invite for a pre-release reveal of a new product.

They get the password to attend, so make it special, and just like a “real” event, ponder a theme, dress code, an award for best interruption by a pet, maybe an emcee.

And give attendees lead time to buy your products and get an outfit together.

Pace yourself

To make these special and have people salivating to join, consider how many times you are going to go virtual. Just because you can Facebook or Instagram live everyday, that doesn’t mean you should.

Partner up

Get together with a local eatery or food producer and make it a package deal.

Send recipes from a restaurant for attendees to try out or prepare for your virtual event to discuss together

Have a caterer prepare a mini-charcuterie board to be delivered to your tasters, have a pizza created for pairing with your brewery or cidery’s new product

Suggest locally-made syrups for an online cocktail class.

Above all, be prepared to make it fun and unique. But, be prepared.

UPCOMING EVENTS

As events slowly return, be sure to read safety protocols and event policies when booking, as well as descriptions closely as some may be in-person, virtual, or a hybrid experience.

Sundays, through Aug. 23, Kelowna: House of Rose hosts Smooth Sunday Sounds from 1:30-4 p.m. Guests are requested to limit visits to one hour. https://www.houseofrose.ca/

July 17, Okanagan Falls: Noble Ridge hosts its annual Vine Dining event with Backyard Farms. https://www.nobleridge.com/News-Events/Events

July 25, Naramata: Join Joy Road Catering and La Petite Abeille Cider for a multi-course dinner at Blue Bee Orchard.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/la-petite-abeille-cider-joy-road-catering-at-the-blue-bee-orchard-launch-tickets-112991556788

July to September, Kelowna: CedarCreek Winery hosts its Winery of the Year Dinner Series on select dates.
https://www.exploretock.com/cedarcreekestatewinery

Through Aug. 3, Oliver: The Wienery food truck will be at Bartier Bros winery on Saturdays and Sundays.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2885817051546876/

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.