The Wonderful World of Wine Walls
No doubt you’ve seen wine walls at fundraising events. These classic revenue streams are popular because they’re a simple and fun way to boost revenue, particularly in a crowd full of wine lovers!
Wine walls should start with at least 36-100 bottles. And make sure to display adequate signage detailing the rules.
Here are some of the ways to wow donors with a wine wall:
Classic Wine Wall
Set up wine bottles on a table and wrap them attractively in bags or colored paper. Set a standard price somewhere between $15-$30, depending on the average value of the bottles you’ve procured. Guests pay a set price for a “mystery” bottle – make sure the set price is at least as valuable as the lowest-priced bottle on the wall. That way guests know they’re at the very least getting their money’s worth, and perhaps even getting an incredible deal! It’s a great way to engage donors who may not have the means or the desire to participate in your live auction or special appeal.
Spin The Bottle
It’s a different take on the classic wine wall – there’s more guest involvement and consequently more fun! Here’s how it works – arrange beautifully wrapped bottles of varying values in a circle on a solid table (no wobbles, please!). Again, guests pay around $15-$30 for a “spin” – the neck of the spinner bottle points to the bottle the guest takes home. This is a great method for crowds who prefer a more active game and for those who enjoy the element of chance and the possibility of taking home an extremely valuable bottle!
Cork Pull
Again, the element of chance makes this method extra fun! Display several unwrapped, numbered bottles of wine, both expensive and moderately-priced. Place corresponding numbered corks in a big glass container. Guests pay $15-$25 for an opportunity to pull a cork and they take home the bottle with the matching number. No losers in this game!
Premium Pull
The rules are essentially the same as the classic wine wall, but you throw in 4 or more PREMIUM bottles ($100 or more). Guests pay $30 for a chance to win a much more valuable bottle, but again, no one loses, as everyone takes home a bottle worth at least $30.
Wine Toss
Ring around the bottle! Set up rows of wine bottles with several inches in between. Strategically place expensive bottles among more moderately-priced ones. Guests pay $15-$30 for a chance to toss a ring – if it lands around the neck of a bottle, they take that one home.
Wine Grab Bags
It’s a little more expensive to buy into this game – guests pay $50 for a wine grab bag. Each bag is guaranteed to have a bottle of wine and some gift cards. Some bags have more than $50 worth of gift cards – some have a premium bottle of wine. Get your guests fired up about the possibilities by using signs indicating what’s inside some of the more valuable grab bags. Guests leave with something special no matter what!