Case Study: Vino 301 Wine Concierge achieves a pivot to virtual tastings and new revenue with AWeber

The 6 Questions Every Business Needs to Ask Themselves During COVID-19

Vino 301 Wine Concierge, a Maryland-based company that ran guided vineyard tours and tastings, saw its core business evaporate when COVID-19 lockdowns made in-person tours impossible. Owner Leslie Frelow faced the risk of losing the business and responded by reassessing why customers came—celebration, connection, and learning—which prompted a rapid need to pivot the model.

Frelow answered six strategic questions to relaunch as a virtual offering: professionally led Zoom tastings supported by pre-event emails, tasting sheets, and optional local delivery or an $80 wine package, plus targeted communication using AWeber Campaigns, segmentation, and landing pages promoted via Facebook. The changes grew her email list, removed geographic limits so she can serve customers beyond Maryland, created new revenue streams (including planned wine subscriptions spotlighting women and minority winemakers), and preserved customer engagement and brand growth during the crisis.

Vino 301 Wine Concierge

Leslie Frelow

Owner