The Cellar Door Initiative

Three individual professionals
sharing
one passion….....

.... the New Zealand wine industry, its people, its business - helping them succeed - with a particular focus on maximising returns from winery cellar doors and the visitor experience.

The Cellar Door Initiative was created by Jamie Roy, Belinda Jackson and Heather Battersby at the start of 2012 after receiving feedback from friends and family who love New Zealand wine and frequently visit local cellar doors. These three wine industry professionals understand the passion and effort involved in producing great New Zealand wines and, by combining their expertise through the Cellar Door Initiative, are supporting winery owners to future-proof this area of their business.

Cellar Door Initiative Workshops were held in June, July and August in Marlborough, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Cromwell and Christchurch with 105 people coming through.

Participants so far have been thrilled with what they have learned - Sue Cranswick, Cellar Door Manager, Esk Valley: "A very positive and informative workshop leading to be amongst the best cellar door experiences in the world". Carolin Millington, Babich Wines: "A very informative and enjoyable experience" while Phyll Paton, Proprietor of Martinborough's Ata Rangi stated, "The three Ata Rangi girls thought the cellar door seminar was fantastic."

Susan from Haythornthwaite, too, was pleased, telling her Faceboook fans: "I went to a fantastic workshop on how to improve the cellar door experience yesterday in Martinborough. Thanks to Jamie Roy and Belinda Jackson I learned a bit more about social media and how we can make the most of it at the cellar door. Thinking like one of our customer also gave me insight into our cellar door experience."

Last event in this series: Wednesday 8 August, Canterbury region - venue now confirmed at Melton Estate, Johnsons Road, Christchurch.

Or click this link for info on the Canterbury workshop.

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Attendees told us:

"Great workshop!" ... "Very worthwhile and extremely well presented" ... "Very inspiring and motivating" ... "Excellent information" ... "Fabulous workshop, great presenters" ... "Great Seminar" ... "A lot of value in sitting outside your business and reviewing what works and hearing other people's ideas" ... "Was unsure of what the session would reveal, very pleased & excited with possible future results"...

Belinda Jackson

Belinda started her wine career in 1986 in Bordeaux, then continued back in the UK as a buyer responsible for sourcing and purchasing some 750,000 cases of wine a year. She has been involved in the New Zealand wine industry since arriving here in 1995. Belinda has held senior roles in NZ Liquor (retail chains Liquorland and Robbie Burns) and Glengarry Hancocks, and has been an independent wine consultant since March 2001, the last five years based in the heart of the industry in Marlborough.

From strategic brand marketing, through to panel tastings, wine competitions and book writing, Belinda has worked within numerous areas of the wine industry, giving her a broad-based understanding of how the industry and wine consumers interact.

A recognised wine marketer, presenter, MC, writer and advocate, Belinda's skills and passion lie in successfully marketing and promoting New Zealand wine to winelovers.

Jamie Roy

Jamie returned to New Zealand at the end of 2008 after working for a Social Media company in London. His experience was unique, working directly with two of the most respected individuals in the industry being Thomas and Penny Power. They founded the social business network, ecademy.com in 1998.

Since returning to New Zealand Jamie's passion is to transfer these skills and techniques he learnt to empower business owners. Communication, collaboration and connection is what it is all about - creating relationships online, with real people, who in turn become advocates and customers for your company and brands.

Jamie has a select number of wine industry clients, enabling and empowering them to engage with their consumers both personally and through their online network on a global basis.

Heather Battersby

Heather’s life in wine began by accident more than 30 years ago while on a working holiday in South Australia and included a time as Max Schubert's Secretary at Penfolds. She returned to New Zealand to work with Penfolds NZ, and for 11 years was Jim Delegat's personal assistant.

She has seen first-hand the New Zealand wine industry grow from 190 producers to over 700. Her knowledge, expertise and network of connections gained from years of experience is extensive and covers all facets of the industry.

Heather founded winejobsonline.com in 2004 to provide a connection point for wine employers and jobseekers - it has become recognised as THE wine employment portal in New Zealand. As well as running winejobsonline.com, Heather is a freelance PA and events co-ordinator and works with husband Paddy in their Human Resources Consulting business.