The OND (holiday) season is fast approaching, and now is the time to lay the groundwork for a smooth, successful holiday shipping experience. At Copper Peak Logistics, our shipping experts have shared their top strategies to help wineries and DTC brands get ahead—before the rush begins.
Amanda Castorena and Mike Galvan have pulled together some tips and a checklist to help you stay on track!
1. Finalize Gifting and Kitting Plans Early Corporate gifting and seasonal kits are high-impact, but they require extra components like branded packaging, glassware, and printed collateral. Ordering these items now ensures you won’t face delays later when demand spikes.
2. Lock in Your Shipping Calendar Submit club setup forms and finalize ship dates for the rest of the year. Mondays are already filling up, and blackout dates are creeping in. Build in extra transit time to account for seasonal delays and avoid last-minute surprises.
3. Refresh Your Marketing Materials Update your website, brochures, and social media with accurate contact info and promotional messaging. Stock up on printed materials now so they’re ready to go when orders start rolling in.
4. Coordinate Closely with Your Fulfillment Partner Share your expected volumes, drop dates, and inventory needs early. The more visibility your fulfillment team has, the better they can support you—especially when it comes to weather holds and large releases.
5. Use a Checklist to Stay Organized Copper Peak Logistics offers a printable OND prep checklist to help you track tasks and deadlines. It’s a simple way to stay on top of everything from marketing updates to inventory planning. See our checklist below to help guide you!
The bottom line? Start your OND prep now to avoid bottlenecks, missed opportunities, and holiday headaches. Reach out to your Client Services team today to begin planning!
OND Shipping Season Checklist
Our proactive guide to ensure your wine shipments deliver on your brand promise during peak season.
At Copper Peak Logistics, we believe fulfillment is more than just shipping—it’s an extension of your brand. This checklist is designed to help you prepare thoughtfully and execute confidently, so your customers receive your product with the care it deserves.
Build in Transit Flexibility
- Extend carrier transit expectations by a few days to accommodate seasonal volume and weather variability.
Communicate Holiday Cutoffs Clearly
Ensure your customers know when to order by posting deadlines across:
- Your website
- Social media platforms
- Email communications to club members and customers
Align Your Internal Teams
- Share holiday shipping schedules with tasting room, wine club, and telesales staff.
- Provide training or refreshers on order flow and fulfillment protocols.
Finalize Your Marketing Calendar
- Lock in promotional timelines and campaigns.
- Update and distribute marketing collateral to reflect seasonal messaging.
Prepare Fulfillment Resources
Partner with your fulfillment team to ensure readiness:
- Confirm inventory of branded materials and non-wine merchandise.
- Align on capabilities, production schedules, volume expectations, and receiving guidelines.
Strategize Weather Holds
- Collaborate with your fulfillment partner to plan and release weather holds with minimal disruption.
Streamline Order Processing
- Submit orders promptly as they’re received to maintain momentum and avoid bottlenecks.