We started in 2005, the year when all wines became legal in Texas to conduct in-store tastings at retail locations.
We offer an extremely competitive rate. Your cost is the rate plus any product used, per Texas law. Contact us for full details.
Each event is contracted to a TABC-certified brand ambassador who is prepared with their own supplies.
Per Texas law, product can only be provided by a Texas winery. In addition, it is illegal for a distributor to provide sample product from a non-Texas supplier. Per TABC, the requirement is to purchase product on that day, at the store where the event is scheduled, and to obtain a receipt for the product.
Our custom-built web-based tool, the Palaterra Tastings Platform, gives our customers detailed information about their tastings. Data collected includes: sales of each product, number of samples given, conversion rate, total number of people engaged, job conditions, consumer comments, and more. Additionally, we offer the ability to sort results into custom reports, by brand, chain, region, and date and whether there was a product shortage or outage. We also require each job to have a receipt and picture that you can easily download from our system in just a few clicks. Data is available 72 hours after each completed event.
Our online Platform enables us to build a story for each product in our system. Product stories include web links, sales sheets, accolade sheets, audio pronunciation, bottle shot, history, and sales points. Once a product story is entered into the system, it will automatically enter the record for each tasting event that contains that product. Every brand ambassador has access to product stories via mobile phone and tablet prior to and during the tasting event.
Given enough lead time, we can ship out any supplier provided materials for a demonstration. We do our best to keep shipping costs low, and our ambassadors re-use materials where possible. It is advisable that any display material, shelf talkers, etc. be delivered to the store through your distributor to reduce your shipping costs.
We can promote any and all non-perishable items and also cheese. We do not offer promotions that involve cooking, or where a food handler’s permit would be needed. Cost can be shared with another supplier when feasible. Contact our office for special cost pertaining to shared events.
We operate exclusively in Tennessee and Texas. Our coverage includes the greater metro areas of Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, and over 20 of the most common secondary markets. These include Killeen/Temple, College Station, Corpus Christi, McAllen, Laredo, Brownsville, Waco, Lubbock, Tyler, Beaumont, Victoria, El Paso, Midland and more.
We work with virtually all retail chains in the state. We can go to just about any location, and have conducted thousands of demos, from the largest chains to small independent accounts. You should always make sure to consult your distribution chain account manager for specific guidelines on submitting and setting up demos for each chain. Most of the larger chains have a corporate process and will provide calendars to all their stores. Some chains like Specs have very specific guidelines with every demonstration needing to be approved. The only chains we do not promote in is Sam’s Club, which has its own in-house program.
It depends on the city and the time of year. One to two weeks is ideal, but we can contract demos within a few days if needed. We ask that customers understand the demo guidelines for each chain and gain approval to ensure each location is aware of the demo.
To ensure adequate and fast response times, we engage more than 1,000+ independent contractors for each of the major metro areas: Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio and more than 20 smaller markets. We can handle a large volume of demos, and will always advise you upfront on our coverage capabilities, especially around holidays.
Yes, subject to the city and availability. We do contract models, although we focus on quality people from all walks of life who are sales-minded and provide outstanding customer service.
Yes, we have regularly provided top brand ambassadors for distributor road shows, and high profile events including Savor Dallas, TPSA, and the Austin Food and Wine Festival.
We work hard to provide our clients with fast, friendly service and to accommodate event schedules. To get started working with us, we ask that you complete a simple, no-term contract that we then file with TABC. Next, we’ll establish payment terms – and that’s it! The whole process can be done in one day.
Simply tap this link to apply to become a First Crush Tastings Brand Ambassador or Brand Model.
No. You must be able to pay for the product out of pocket.
You will be purchasing the product up front out of pocket and you will be reimbursed on the 5th and the 20th of every month. Every job has a price range so you know the cost before you apply. Average cost per event can range from $15-$25, sometimes more.
The supplier asks that you always start with one bottle of each product you are demoing. If you run out of a bottle and still have at least an hour left of the demo you can purchase another bottle, but if there is only a few minutes left you can try to dry sell the product.
Dress code is set by retailers. They never allow jeans, tank tops or open toe shoes. Business casual will ensure that you are not sent home by the store manager.
Yes. You will need to have your own small table, black tablecloth, ice bucket, bottle opener and current TABC permit. These are the tools of the trade. Stores will send you away if you show up unprepared.
Yes. In Texas you must be TABC certified and 21 years of age to conduct demos.
In most cases jobs are assigned within 24 hours, but if it is the weekend demos will not be assigned until Monday.
We pay electronic payments directly to your bank account via Bill.com and this is our only method for making payments. You will receive a direct deposit authorization form once you are on-boarded and your account will be setup once you complete your first job.
No, you are an independent contractor. You apply for what best fits your schedule.
Send us a note and we will be right with you.