Why Wine Reviews Matter So Much?

Buying wine online can be tricky. Shoppers can’t taste or smell the wine before they buy, so they look for something else to guide them—customer reviews.

These reviews, also called electronic word of mouth (eWOM), help build trust. People want to hear what other customers think before making a choice. For wineries, showcasing reviews is one of the best ways to boost sales and win loyal fans.

How Reviews Build Trust and Boost Sales

When people see positive reviews, they feel more confident buying your wine. Reviews help answer key questions:

• Is this wine good?
  
  

• Is it worth the price?
  
  

• Will I like the taste?
  
  

Unlike ads, reviews come from real people. That’s why shoppers trust them more. Studies show that when a wine has reviews, people are much more likely to buy it—even if it’s their first time visiting your site.

Review Platforms That Make a Big Impact

Vivino is a perfect example. With over 50 million users, it helps people pick wines by showing reviews and ratings from other wine lovers. Interestingly, Vivino’s reviews often match professional critic scores—and sometimes do even better at predicting what everyday people will like.

When your wine is rated on platforms like Vivino, it builds social proof and increases visibility with new buyers.

The Numbers: What Reviews Can Do for Your Sales

• Just 5 reviews can make someone 270% more likely to buy your wine.
  
  

• Reviews can boost conversion rates by up to 380%—especially for premium bottles.
  
  

• Wines with over 50 reviews perform even better, raising conversion rates by nearly 5%.
  
  

• The best-performing wines usually have star ratings between 4.75 and 4.99.
  
  

• Even a single expert review can lead to a 6% sales increase the next week.
  
  

For wineries, this means more reviews = more sales.

Reviews Also Guide Customer Behavior

Most people read reviews before buying anything online—especially wine. In fact:

• 98% of shoppers read reviews at least sometimes.
  
  

• 76% read them regularly.
  
  

Reviews help set the right expectations. They tell shoppers what the wine tastes like, how it pairs with food, and what other buyers thought.

Positive reviews reduce buyer anxiety—especially for new customers. They also help your brand feel more transparent and trustworthy.

What to Do When You Get a Bad Review?

Bad reviews happen. It’s how you respond that matters.

Reply quickly and politely. Thank the person for their feedback, and offer a way to make things right. This shows that you care and are willing to improve.

In fact, research shows that handling negative reviews the right way can increase your revenue by 2–7%.

5 Smart Ways Wineries Can Use Reviews

1. Ask for Reviews After Purchase

Send an email after delivery asking customers to share their thoughts. You can also use QR codes on packaging. Make it easy and quick to leave feedback.

2. Show Reviews on Key Pages

Put star ratings and recent reviews on your product pages. Also add them to your category pages and even your checkout. Highlight helpful reviews that describe taste, quality, or value.

3. Use Reviews in Marketing

Share great customer quotes in your emails and on social media. Post photos or videos from real customers enjoying your wine. This builds community and trust.

4. Boost SEO With Review Content

Google loves fresh, unique content. Reviews can include helpful search phrases—like “smooth red blend” or “fruity white wine”—that improve your search rankings and help more people find your wine.

5. Keep Your Star Ratings High

Try to keep your average rating above 4.25 stars. Fix quality issues quickly, and listen to feedback. Watch your ratings on sites like Vivino and Google to catch trends early.