Taylor Swift Fans in Disbelief Over Latest Country Hall Move

Speaking at the Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 event held earlier this month in Christchurch, Dan Simms, founder of wine festival Pinot Palooza, held up pop star Taylor Swift as an example for wine brands looking to develop a loyal following.

Simms took to the stage to argue that the biggest misstep in wine right now is that “we see our customers as ‘consumers’ and not people.”

“We don’t need to educate,” he told an auditorium packed with producers, winemakers and media. “We need to empower”.

Time to do away with snobbery

Continuing, Simms said: “Taylor Swift doesn’t talk about her ‘consumers’. She has fans, an audience and a connection.”

“She [Swift] doesn’t care that her fans don’t know as much as she does about how her music is made or how her live shows are put together.”

“Your customers are also your people,” he added. “And you need to consider them with as much care as you do your vineyard.”

Points at the expense of utility

“We’ve been too focused on points at the expense of utility,” Simms argued. “Occasion is everything. Experience is everything.”

Partner Content