What By-Products to Sell on Your Winery Website and Why
As a winery owner, your primary business revolves around producing and selling wine. However, there’s a vast untapped opportunity in monetizing by-products generated during the winemaking process.
By-products not only help you diversify your revenue streams but also allow your winery to showcase sustainability, creativity, and innovation—qualities that resonate deeply with modern consumers. In today’s world, where eco-consciousness and unique shopping experiences are paramount, selling by-products can be a game-changer for your winery website.
This blog post will explore what by-products your winery can sell, why they’re valuable, and how they can elevate your brand. Whether you're a small boutique winery or a large-scale vineyard, this guide will inspire you to rethink how you approach your winemaking business. Let’s dive in.
Why Sell By-Products on Your Winery Website?
Before we get into the specific by-products, it’s important to understand why selling them is a smart business decision.
1. Sustainability and Reducing Waste
The winemaking process generates a host of leftovers, such as grape skins, seeds, stems, and lees (the sediment that forms during fermentation). Traditionally, these by-products were discarded, composted, or used as animal feed. However, with the rise of eco-conscious consumers, repurposing these materials into sellable products aligns your business with sustainable practices. Highlighting this commitment on your website can attract ethical shoppers.
2. Diversified Revenue Streams
Selling wine alone might not provide the financial stability you desire. By-products offer a low-cost way to diversify your income. Since these materials are already a by-product of your primary production process, you’re essentially monetizing what might otherwise go to waste.
3. Brand Storytelling and Customer Engagement
Offering by-products allows you to tell a richer brand story. For example, you can share how your winery is committed to sustainability, or how your family has been using grape seeds to make oil for generations. These narratives create a deeper connection with customers and give them unique reasons to shop with you.
4. Tap into the Growing Wellness and Lifestyle Market
Many wine by-products have applications beyond the wine industry, particularly in wellness, culinary arts, and beauty. From grapeseed oil to antioxidant-rich skincare products, consumers are eager to purchase items that promise health benefits or luxurious self-care experiences.
5. Build Loyalty and Expand Your Audience
Selling by-products can expand your audience to include non-wine drinkers. For example, someone who doesn’t drink alcohol might still purchase your grape-based skincare products or artisanal vinegar. These additional products also encourage repeat purchases, as customers return for more than just wine.
What By-Products Can You Sell on Your Winery Website?
Now that we’ve covered the “why,” it’s time to explore the “what.” Below are some of the most popular and profitable by-products your winery can sell, along with the reasons they’re worth considering.
1. Grapeseed Oil
What It Is: Grapeseed oil is made by pressing the seeds left over from winemaking. It’s a light, versatile oil rich in antioxidants and healthy fats.
Why Sell It:
Health Benefits: Grapeseed oil is high in Vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, making it a popular choice for cooking and skincare. Consumers are drawn to its heart-healthy properties and antioxidant content.
Culinary Appeal: It’s a great option for dressings, marinades, and cooking due to its high smoke point and mild flavor.
Beauty Applications: Grapeseed oil is a natural moisturizer often found in skincare products, appealing to wellness and beauty enthusiasts.
How to Market It:
Highlight its health and beauty benefits on your website.
Offer recipes or skincare tutorials using grapeseed oil to engage customers.
2. Grape Skincare Products
What It Is: Grape skins, seeds, and pulp are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, making them ideal ingredients for skincare products like masks, scrubs, and creams.
Why Sell It:
Wellness Trend: Consumers are increasingly seeking natural, eco-friendly skincare options.
Unique Selling Point: Your products can stand out by emphasizing their winemaking origins and natural ingredients.
High Margins: Beauty products often command higher profit margins than food or beverage products.
How to Market It:
Create a dedicated "Wellness" section on your website.
Use phrases like “wine-inspired beauty” or “anti-aging power of grapes” in your product descriptions.
3. Grape Flour
What It Is: Grape flour is made from dried, ground grape skins and seeds. It’s gluten-free, high in fiber, and packed with antioxidants.
Why Sell It:
Health-Conscious Consumers: Grape flour appeals to gluten-free and health-focused buyers.
Culinary Versatility: It can be used in baking, smoothies, and even as a thickener in soups and sauces.
Sustainability Appeal: This product is the perfect example of a zero-waste philosophy.
How to Market It:
Provide recipes for grape flour-based dishes.
Emphasize its nutritional benefits and eco-friendly origins.
4. Wine Vinegar
What It Is: Wine vinegar is made by fermenting wine into a tangy, flavorful acid perfect for cooking, dressings, and marinades.
Why Sell It:
Culinary Essential: Vinegar is a pantry staple, and wine vinegar offers a gourmet twist.
Low-Cost Production: If you have leftover wine or batches that didn’t meet quality standards, turning them into vinegar can minimize losses.
Versatility: You can create unique blends by infusing the vinegar with herbs, fruits, or spices.
How to Market It:
Offer sample packs with different flavors.
Create content like recipes or pairing guides to inspire customers.
5. Grapeseed Extract Supplements
What It Is: Grapeseed extract is a dietary supplement made from the seeds of grapes, known for its high levels of antioxidants like proanthocyanidins.
Why Sell It:
Health Market Boom: The supplement industry is thriving, and grapeseed extract is highly sought after for its cardiovascular and immune-boosting benefits.
Appeals to Wellness Enthusiasts: It’s a product that resonates with consumers looking to enhance their health naturally.
How to Market It:
Provide scientific studies or evidence supporting the health benefits of grapeseed extract.
Use phrases like “boost your immune system” or “natural antioxidant powerhouse.”
6. Grape Jelly and Jam
What It Is: Grape jelly or jam can be made from the pulp, juice, or skins of grapes.
Why Sell It:
Delicious and Timeless: These products have universal appeal and can be marketed as artisanal or gourmet.
Perfect Pairing: Offer them as a complement to your wines, especially during tastings or as part of gift baskets.
Low-Cost Production: Use leftover grape juice or pulp to create these products.
How to Market It:
Offer bundles that include a bottle of wine and a jar of grape jelly.
Emphasize the homemade or artisanal nature of the product.
7. Grape Seed Tea
What It Is: Grape seed tea is made by drying and steeping grape seeds, creating a rich, antioxidant-packed beverage.
Why Sell It:
Growing Tea Market: Tea drinkers are always looking for unique and healthy options.
Health Benefits: Grape seed tea is caffeine-free and loaded with antioxidants, appealing to wellness-minded consumers.
How to Market It:
Include brewing instructions and highlight its health benefits.
Offer it as part of a wellness gift set with other grape-based products.
8. Wine-Infused Products
What It Is: These are products that incorporate wine as an ingredient, such as wine-infused chocolates, sauces, or even candles.
Why Sell It:
Luxurious Appeal: Wine-infused items have a premium, indulgent feel that aligns with the wine-drinking lifestyle.
Perfect for Gifting: These products make great additions to gift baskets or special occasions.
How to Market It:
Package them as part of holiday or event-themed gift sets.
Use enticing descriptions like “indulge in the flavors of wine.”
9. Compost or Fertilizer
What It Is: Leftover grape skins, stems, and seeds can be composted and sold as organic fertilizer for gardening enthusiasts.
Why Sell It:
Sustainability Focus: This is a great way to show your commitment to reducing waste.
Gardening Trend: As home gardening grows in popularity, more people are seeking organic compost options.
How to Market It:
Emphasize its eco-friendly nature and benefits for plants.
Offer tips on how to use it in gardening.
10. Branded Merchandise
What It Is: While not technically a winemaking by-product, branded merchandise (like tote bags, aprons, or glassware) can tie into the by-product conversation by promoting your winery’s ethos of sustainability and craftsmanship.
Why Sell It:
Brand Awareness: Merchandise turns your customers into walking advertisements.
Complementary Products: Wine lovers are often drawn to products that enhance their wine-drinking experience.
How to Market It:
Bundle merchandise with by-products or wine.
Use eco-friendly materials to align with your sustainability message.
How to Sell By-Products on Your Winery Website
1. Create a Dedicated Section
Add a “Shop By-Products” or “Sustainable Goods” section to your winery website. This ensures that visitors can easily differentiate between your wine offerings and the additional products you sell. Make it visually appealing by including high-quality images and descriptions that emphasize the connection between the by-products and your winemaking process.
Pro Tip: Use storytelling to explain how these by-products are made and why they align with your brand values. For example: “Our grapeseed oil is lovingly crafted from the seeds leftover from our finest Pinot Noir, ensuring nothing goes to waste.”
2. Bundle Products for Greater Value
People love a good deal, and bundling products is an excellent strategy to increase the perceived value of your offerings. For instance:
Pair a bottle of wine with a jar of grape jelly or wine vinegar.
Offer a “Wellness Kit” that includes grapeseed oil, grape seed tea, and a skincare product.
Create gift baskets with a mix of wine, by-products, and branded merchandise for special occasions like holidays or weddings.
Bundling not only boosts sales but also exposes customers to multiple product categories, increasing the likelihood of repeat purchases.
3. Educate Your Audience
Use your website and social media channels to educate customers about the benefits of your by-products. Think blog posts, videos, or infographics that highlight:
The health benefits of grapeseed oil or grape seed flour.
Recipes using your wine vinegar or grape jelly.
Skincare routines featuring your grape-based beauty products.
By becoming a source of knowledge, you position your winery as more than just a seller—you become a trusted guide for sustainable living and wellness.
4. Leverage the Power of SEO
Optimize your website for search engines so that people searching for specific by-products (like grapeseed oil or grape seed extract) can find your offerings. Here are some tips:
Use keywords like "sustainable grape skincare," "wine by-products," or "grapeseed oil for cooking."
Write blog posts (like this one!) to attract organic traffic—e.g., “10 Uses for Grapeseed Oil” or “Why Grape Flour is the Gluten-Free Alternative You’ve Been Looking For.”
Include detailed product descriptions that incorporate relevant keywords naturally.
5. Highlight Sustainability
Modern consumers are drawn to brands that care about the environment. Use your website to showcase your commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. Create a page or section that explains how your winery minimizes waste by repurposing by-products. Include phrases like:
“From vine to bottle—and beyond.”
“Zero waste winemaking.”
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.”
You can also use certifications or eco-friendly packaging as selling points.
6. Offer Subscription Boxes
A subscription box is a fantastic way to encourage ongoing engagement and regular purchases. For example, you could create a monthly or quarterly “Wine & By-Product Box” that includes:
A bottle of wine.
A jar of grape jelly or vinegar.
A small skincare product or grapeseed oil sample.
Subscription boxes create predictable revenue and allow customers to experience a variety of your offerings over time.
7. Share Customer Testimonials
Social proof is incredibly powerful. Encourage customers to leave reviews for your by-products and feature their testimonials on your website. For example:
A quote about how grapeseed oil improved someone’s skin.
A happy customer sharing how they used your grape flour to bake a delicious cake.
Positive feedback on the rich flavor of your wine vinegar.
Add these testimonials to product pages and include customer photos if possible to build trust and authenticity.
8. Leverage Social Media and Email Marketing
Social media is a fantastic platform to showcase your by-products and engage with your audience. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to:
Share behind-the-scenes photos of how the products are made.
Post recipes, tutorials, or styling tips (e.g., how to create a wine-infused dinner using your vinegar or grape jelly).
Host giveaways or contests to generate excitement around your by-products.
For email marketing, use targeted campaigns to inform your subscribers about new by-products, bundle deals, or seasonal offers. For example:
“Introducing Our New Grapeseed Oil: Perfect for Cooking and Skincare!”
“Holiday Gift Guide: Sustainable Products Straight from Our Vineyard.”
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Selling by-products comes with its own set of challenges, especially if you’re new to the idea. Here’s how to address some common hurdles:
1. Production Costs
While many by-products are inexpensive to produce, some—like skincare or supplements—may require additional processing and certifications. Start with simpler products (like grape jelly or wine vinegar) and expand as your budget allows.
2. Marketing to a Wider Audience
If your winery’s primary audience is wine drinkers, you may need to adjust your marketing strategy to appeal to a broader demographic. Use targeted ads and content marketing to reach health-conscious individuals, foodies, and beauty enthusiasts.
3. Shipping Constraints
Some by-products, like grapeseed oil or skincare items, may require special packaging to ensure they arrive in good condition. Partner with reliable shipping providers and offer eco-friendly packaging options to enhance the customer experience.
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Winery with By-Products
Selling by-products on your winery website is more than just a smart business move—it’s a way to showcase your creativity, sustainability, and commitment to quality. By repurposing materials that might otherwise go to waste, you’re not only diversifying your revenue streams but also aligning your brand with values that resonate deeply with modern consumers.
Whether you’re bottling grapeseed oil, crafting grape-based skincare, or baking up a storm with grape flour, these products tell a story that goes beyond wine. They tell the story of a winery that values the land, its resources, and its customers. And that’s the kind of story that builds loyalty, inspires repeat purchases, and sets you apart in a competitive industry.
So, take a closer look at what your winery produces—and what it leaves behind. With a little innovation and a lot of passion, you can turn those by-products into something truly extraordinary.
Cheers to sustainability, creativity, and the endless possibilities of winemaking! 🍷
Let’s raise a glass to your success—both in wine and beyond! 🍷
If you’re ready to take the next step and need help designing or optimizing your winery website to showcase your by-products, feel free to reach out to me.
Together, we can create a digital experience that reflects the heart and soul of your vineyard. Cheers!
Cheers to success online!
Maike
The Golden Square Design Studio
Where Vision Meets Innovation
Creating Stunning & Strategic Websites for Online Success