That’s right! Train your customers and let them try it too. I believe that nothing can bring out the passion of what you are trying to do better than by example.

Your regular customer base believes in you and your restaurant. They have taken a little piece of ownership in your establishment and look for reason to come back again and again. Well why not give them a reason that can benefit them even beyond the scope of dining. Try starting a wine class for your regular customer base, (of course it’s open to all) and give them the opportunity to learn hands-on.

With a little planning and an easy to follow curriculum, you can put together a great series of classes your customers can get excited about. Here is what you need:

1) Wine Class Schedule

– Make up the class schedule using regular intervals such as bi-weekly or monthly, but always start at the same time. It’s easier for your “students” to schedule you this way

2) Wine Curriculum

– Develop a series that explores fundamentals, winemaking, regional influence and production. Make it fun!

3) Wine Tasting

– Plan to incorporate wines you have available on your list, both for inventory challenges and future sales ability. Invite students to share their stories about a specific wine or trip to wine country. But remember, it is just a tasting. Teach people to respect wine as well.

4)Wine Guides

for each class- Write out a syllabus of the class complete with an area for tasting notes. This gives your students material to review and keeps them interacting. You need to stress how important discovery is in wine drinking and that this class is really just an exercise in discovery.

5) In house Wine Marketing Plan

.- Don’t just rely on flyers to spread the word. Get your staff excited about the classes. Keep them up to date on the curriculum, where the class is at, and what the weeks feature wines were. Check presenters and cards are a good way to keep the guests interested. It should be posted on your monthly mailers and email blasts. Starting a wine club?………

Anyway you do it, an educated wine customer will increase wine sales. Making your guest feel welcomed and part of the family builds loyalty and keeps your name on their minds, not your competitions.