What Happens When Wine Nerds Throw a Conference?

About this episode

The episode discusses the unique aspects of the DTC Wine Symposium and the evolving landscape of wine marketing.

In this episode of the Wine Marketing Podcast, I’m joined by Barbara Gorder, Managing Partner of the DTC Wine Symposium, the nation’s premier conference dedicated to direct-to-consumer wine sales and marketing. We talk about what makes this event so unique and what’s in store for 2026 as the event continues its second year in Monterey, California. Barbara shares how the symposium has evolved to serve wineries of all sizes, especially family-owned and independent producers, and why ongoing education, networking, and advocacy are central to the mission. We also discuss how wine marketing is evolving, the critical role influencers now play, and how wineries can create more welcoming and engaging experiences for today’s consumers. About Our Guest: Barbara Gorder of the DTC Wine Symposium Barbara Gorder is the Managing Partner of the Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium, the nation’s leading conference dedicated to direct-to-consumer sales and marketing for wineries. A seasoned marketer and strategist, Barbara is passionate about fostering community, advancing education, and supporting Free the Grapes!—the nonprofit advocacy group behind the event. She also runs Undisclosed Location, a…

People in this episode

Host: Heather Daenitz

Guest: Barbara Gorder

Topics covered

• wine marketing
• direct-to-consumer sales
• wine symposium
• networking
• education
• influencers

Keywords

• wine conference
• DTC sales
• family-owned wineries
• marketing strategies
• consumer engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: DTC Wine Symposium, Free the Grapes!

Places: Monterey, California, Napa Valley

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