If downtown Kelseyville could be summed up in one word it would probably be this: supportive. The businesses lining the quaint, quiet street work alongside, not against, one another. New establishments are welcomed with arms wide.
It was with this spirit that the Kelseyville Krawl began. Modeled after similar activities taking place in Napa and Sonoma, the Krawl aims to increase foot traffic at local establishments by giving visitors incentive to stop by numerous wineries in the area.
This is how it works — participants receive cards printed with the logos of eight local tasting rooms: Wildhurst Vineyards, Steele Wines, Smiling Dogs Ranch, Rosa D’Oro, Kaz Winery, Fore Family Vineyards, Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill and Kelsey Creek Brewing. When a guest visits a locale, they have that location stamped off on their card. Once they receive five stamps, they leave their card at the tasting room so that they can be entered into a raffle. The winner of the raffle can take home anything from a gift certificate to bottles of wine.
The raffle is once a month and the wineries take turns providing the prize. Those participating in the Krawl can enter as many times as they’d like, so long as they stamp off five locations on their cards.
Wildhurst tasting room manager Tyler Weiper was quick to note that participants don’t have to visit five places in one day. In fact, he strongly advised visitors to spread out their trips. “This is something to put in your car and complete at your own place,” he explained.
When Wildhurst Vineyards presented the idea of the Krawl to the downtown tasting rooms, they were met with enthusiasm. There have been no negative responses. “Everybody loved it because it increases traffic volume through their store,” said Weiper.
Paul Buttitta, of Rosa D’Oro, particularly likes the simplicity of the Krawl. It doesn’t cost anything to receive a card and the only information participants have to provide is a name, phone number and email address. There’s no fuss, and Buttitta feels this is why the activity could be successful.
“It’s so simple. I think that does create a drive,” he said. “Everyone I’ve brought it up with has walked out with a card.”
And in the year or so since bringing all eight establishments into the Krawl, business downtown has indeed seen an uptick. “That is definitely a boost,” said Sophie Koot with Smiling Dogs Winery. “I offer cards to people to encourage them to go to other wineries. That’s our key thing — all the wineries are helping each other.”
The Krawl is convenient, too. With everything so near, participants can walk from tasting room to tasting room without having to worry about driving. There are also options for those who don’t like wine — Kelsey Creek Brewery has beer and Chacewater has olive oil.
On Saturday, Smiling Dogs Ranch tasting room was visited by a group of five or six people, most of whom were taking part in the Kelseyville Krawl. While they sipped their wine, Koot stamped their cards. “If those girls didn’t have those cards, I don’t know if they would have come in or not,” she said.
To participate in the Kelseyville Krawl, simply head to Main Street and ask for a card. It’s as easy as that.
