COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our lifestyles – we’re staying in (and we implore you to, as well). Life has changed. Drastically. While it’s not permanent, it’s a big shift, and we’re all feeling it. While you’re doing the right thing (spatial and social distancing + self isolating), we’re updating you with what you need to know about all the things you love. How you can still eat, drink, consume, watch and buy the things that bring you joy. How you can continue to support Australian businesses, artists, creators, makers and more. How you can stay amused, active, educated and entertained at home. How we can all stay connected to the things that make us us.
As the new COVID-19 government regulations continue to evolve and close down more and more businesses, Sydney based wine delivery company Different Drop is supporting the hospitality industry by hiring wine reps and restaurant staff who have sadly lost their jobs, to assist with the increased sales volumes.
Different Drop is working closely with boutique wineries around Australia to support them by offering them a digital platform to sell their wines. Australia’s winemakers have had a difficult year already with the bushfires destroying many vineyards and hurting tourism numbers at the start of the year. Now the industry is trying to navigate the sales void being left by COVID-19 and the destruction of the hospitality industry. Despite the reports of increased wine sales while consumers are stuck in isolation, for the boutique and more isolated vineyards this hasn’t meant more sales, but rather the opposite. As restaurants and bars are now mostly closed apart from takeaway, many of our local winemakers who rely on these distribution channels for regular orders, as well as tourists visiting their cellar doors to drive sales, are suffering immensely during this crisis, with many on the verge of closing their doors.
Different Drop Co-Founder Brett Ketelbey commented: “2020 has been pretty hard on our boutique winemakers. Typically smaller wineries will sell 75% or more of their production through their cellar door or to local restaurants and wine bars. If they can’t reach wine lovers they are in serious trouble and that’s where Different Drop can help. We provide a platform for wine lovers to buy from Australia’s best artisan wineries and distillers.”
Co-Founder Tom Hollings added: “Our mission since the beginning has been to make it easier for wine lovers to discover the country’s best artisan wines, so right now we’re investing heavily to add thousands of amazing wines to the website to make those hard weeks at home more enjoyable. We’ve had fantastic feedback from both winemakers and our customers. So it’s nice to know we’re helping at both ends.”
Consumer spending patterns on Different Drop are suggesting people are spoiling themselves with some higher end wines while they are confined to their home. Arguably a re-allocation of finances where people have cancelled their holidays, aren’t spending money on dining out, therefore are now looking to find smaller luxuries that they can treat themselves to at home. Whilst that holiday to France may be off the cards for this year, they can still order some gorgeous French wines.
Different Drop are also seeing a large spike in mixed pack sales and more unusual wines, as customers are looking to explore and try new things they would normally try in a bar or restaurant.
Different Drop delivers Australia wide and the next business day offering consumers fast and easy delivery of some of the most unique wines Australia and the world has to offer.
