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A Chat with Eric V. Orange: The Visionary Behind LocalWineEvents.com & The Juice®
Whether you're a wine lover looking for your next great experience or an event organizer wanting to reach the right audience, LocalWineEvents.com is THE go-to platform. Chances are, you’ve already heard about the site through the buzzworthy newsletter, THE JUICE, but keep reading!
Simply put, this site makes it super easy to find food and drink events --- wine tastings, wine dinners, beer festivals, spirits, cocktails, and more? Yes, please! Whether near home base or traveling, you'll never miss out on an amazing event again!
For organizers, it’s a powerful, free marketing tool that connects you directly with engaged food and drink enthusiasts. Your event gets exposure in front of the right people, plus added visibility through The JUICE newsletter.
OK, on with the interview: Today, I’m delighted to chat with Eric V. Orange (EVO), the visionary CEO and founder behind LocalWineEvents.com and The Juice®.
Eric, what inspired you to create LocalWineEvents.com?
As a wine rep for Paterno Imports, I hosted amazing wine dinners with world-class winemakers—but filling seats was a struggle. The issue wasn’t interest; it was awareness. There was no central place for wine lovers to find these events, so I built one.
When I launched in 2000, I expected wholesalers to drive listings, but restaurants, wineries, and event organizers embraced it as a free marketing tool. A U.S. News & World Report feature gave us instant credibility, and from there, LocalWineEvents.com exploded—expanding from 50 U.S. cities to 500+ worldwide.
And your mission?
Our mission remains the same: connecting people with incredible food and wine experiences.
How has the site evolved since 2000?
We started with 50 U.S. cities, then went global. At first, I thought wholesalers would drive listings, but wineries and restaurants saw the value immediately. Tech upgrades were key—moving to dedicated servers, leveraging Google AdSense for revenue, and implementing SEO-friendly URLs skyrocketed our search rankings.
Have you got a JUICY tip for event organizers?
Post often and use "Sold Out" messaging—it creates buzz and credibility. Our Juice newsletter reaches subscribers twice a week, and people love seeing what’s popular. Even if your event is full, listing it builds anticipation for the next one.
Please share how LocalWineEvents.com supports the industry.
We bridge the gap between event organizers and wine lovers. Before, discovering tastings and food pairings required industry connections. Now, anyone can find and attend great events, and small wineries, restaurants, and hosts can reach new audiences effortlessly.
What sets your site apart from other event sites?
We specialize in food and drink events. While other platforms list everything from concerts to yoga, we focus solely on wine, spirits, beer, and gourmet experiences—attracting a highly engaged, niche audience.
Challenges -- what were yours while building this platform?
Funding, tech, and infrastructure. I started with Microsoft FrontPage but had to transition to database-driven listings—beyond my skillset. Keeping a programmer on board wasn’t easy with limited funds. Early on, we also faced frequent server outages until Google AdSense revenue let us upgrade.
Tell me about some key milestones.
National Recognition (Early 2000s): A U.S. News & World Report feature put us on the map. I leveraged it with my email list, driving massive growth.
Google AdSense (2003): Finally, a revenue stream! Ads helped us scale without outside funding.
SEO Breakthrough: Optimizing URLs (e.g., “Denver-Wine-Tastings” vs. random numbers) shot us to #1 in search rankings, driving exponential traffic.
What trends do you see shaping the wine & events industry in 2025+
Hybrid Events & Virtual Tastings 2.0 – Online tastings aren’t going away; expect more interactive, hybrid experiences.
AI-Powered Personalization – Tailored event recommendations based on past interests will shape how people discover events.
Sustainable & Regenerative Winemaking – Eco-conscious events will be in high demand.
Crossover Experiences – Expect more unique pairings: "Wine & Jazz," "Bourbon & BBQ," "Coffee & Chocolate Tastings."
Gen Z & Millennials Driving Change – They want social, experiential, and Instagram-worthy events.
Luxury & Micro-Events on the Rise – Exclusive winemaker dinners, intimate tastings, and curated food pairings will gain traction.
Non-Alcoholic Pairings – The mindful drinking movement is growing, and alcohol-free tastings are on the rise.
Anything else you'd like to share?
The future of food and wine events is immersive, personalized, and innovative—LocalWineEvents.com will continue to be at the forefront, connecting enthusiasts with extraordinary experiences.
Basically, if you love wine, food, beer and/or spirits, you belong here.
AGREED, ERIC -- I'll drink to that! 🍷
🎉 Just a little heads-up: LocalWineEvents.com is celebrating its 25th ANNIVERSARY this summer, and I know they've got some super fun plans in the works to mark the occasion!
