Fix: XML Errors

If you encounter a blank XML or invalid XML error when calling Web Services, please retry your calls at later time. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue work in 2021 on platform stabilization improvements.

Fix: Checkout Completion for Some Australian Wineries

If your winery is located in Australia, you may have noticed your consumers experiencing intermittent errors when trying to purchase wine on your website. In some cases, consumers were hit with error messages upon submitting their web order, preventing them from completing the checkout process.

Our team identified the issue and worked tirelessly to fix it. Thank you for your patience.

 

Fix: SiteAdmin Backend Permission Checks

As part of our ongoing commitment to security and PCI Compliance standards, we have recently identified a deficiency in the enforcement of our admin roles that temporarily allowed a Basic Admin User to edit or delete the profiles of Domain and Master Admins. We quickly worked to implement a patch and added an additional layer of security to prevent this in the future.

No action is needed from you, we have rolled this update out across the platform successfully on May 24th. Thank you for your understanding.
 

Fix: Database Index for POS

We have recently deployed a database index that fixed an inefficiency within Loyalty Points. On May 8th, this caused POS users to be unable to log in for a couple of hours. Those who were able to log in experienced a very slow response.

This permanent fix has patched the inefficiency and POS users will be able to interact with the app as usual. We apologize for the impact to your business and will continue to monitor POS as we move into busy tasting season.

 

Fix: Masked Credit Card Numbers

At WineDirect we take security very seriously and adhere to PCI compliance standards for the storing, processing, and transmission of credit card data and cardholder information. With our most recent security upgrade, we have now deployed a new layer of security to ensure masked credit cards remain private, with only the last four digits visible for order verification purposes. 

No action is needed from you - we are continuing our security upgrades to ensure the most secure platform for you and your consumers. Thank you.

 

Fix: Credit Card Updater Tool

If your winery uses WineDirect Payments Credit Card Updater Tool, you may have noticed your cards weren't getting updated. Our team has now implemented a fix to ensure your club members cards continue to update every 40 days.

There was a little backlog catching up on processing updates to cards between Feb 11 and April 28. We have now  updated all cards previously in the queue.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to monitor this process to ensure you're back on track for your next club run.

Exploring the WineDirect Academy

Just over a month ago, you got access to the WineDirect Academy - a free online training portal to master WineDirect's robust toolset. With a new 'Mastering Emails' course recently added, I sat down with Ben Kraemer to chat about the Academy and dive into what you need to know to get the most out of this exciting new offering.

 

To get started, simply create an account for free, choose which courses benefit you and then complete the modules. If you've already signed up, you can continue learning from where you left off. We think you'll love the new Academy, but don't take our word for it:

"I am loving it! I think the Academy is so great. This is fresh and in real time and feels very current. They segments are short and to the point. I know I will get a ton of use out of it." - Nancy Dunsmore, Ex Nihilo Vineyards

We are excited to support you on your journey of mastering WineDirect's robust tools. Stay tuned for even more new modules soon!

New: Live Chat for DTC Pro and DTC Advanced

If your U.S.-based winery is on the new DTC Pro or DTC Advanced plan, you now have access to enhanced support with live chat functionality and help from our senior Support Specialists. This team is made up of the people who know WineDirect best, and are dedicated to giving you a quick and thorough response, leveraging their collective knowledge and new tools like live chat. 

Haven't used our chat feature yet? Check out our Resource Kit with steps for accessing chat, as well as other tips for reaching WineDirect and our partners. Of course, you can always connect with us by emailing support@winedirect.com or calling 800-819-0325 too.

We’ve also launched WineDirect Academy, an on-demand educational resource that you can access for free - anytime, anywhere. We encourage you to check it out so you and your team can take full advantage of the platform’s robust toolset.

The Client Success Team is here for you seven days a week, with ample coverage during business hours, ready to assist when it's convenient for you. We are always happy to help!

New: Billing Contact Changes on Packing Slips

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a state statute intended to enhance privacy rights and consumer protection for residents of California. Based on this legislation, WineDirect has removed date of birth (DOB) and some Billing Address information from Packing Slip PDFs globally to ensure compliance and consumer privacy. 

This update means removing DOB from Packing Slips PDF printouts. In addition, all Purchaser Billing Address information - except for the City and State/Province, which is required by regulators to determine the purchaser's origin, has been removed.

Below is an example of the updated Packing Slip PDFs will display Billing Address going forward:

No action is needed from you, we have already made this change in the backend on your behalf to ensure you continue to protect your consumer's privacy. Thank you for your understanding as we move quickly to uphold compliance.

 

Now: Temecula Valley Wine & Agricultural Heritage District Assessment Levy

If your winery is within the Temecula Valley Wine & Agricultural Heritage District (TVWAHD), you may have heard that on April 1, 2021 a hybrid tax was implemented for all wineries in the region. This five year term stipulates that 1% of all gross sales be funnelled into advertising for the valley.

The good news is that lead trainer, Ben Kraemer, has created a video detailing everything you need to know about the change and your WineDirect setup. Watch the video below:

 

If you intend to pass this assessment on to your customers, you should retroactively collect it starting April 1, 2021. The amount of assessment, if passed on to each customer, shall be disclosed in advance and be separately stated from the amount charged and any other applicable taxes, and each customer shall receive a receipt for payment from the business. Please identify this assessment as the “TVWAHD Assmt” in a separate line item on the customer’s receipt. In order to disclose the fee in advance, a simple note of “All sales are subject to a 1% Temecula Valley Wine & Agricultural Heritage District fee” should either be printed on tasting menus and/or restaurant menus or on a sign at the register.

Additionally, it must be disclosed in any special events and wedding estimates and contracts. Please note that if a customer refuses to pay the assessment, your business is still liable for paying it.

We've also created some FAQs to help your migrate through this change:

FAQs

1) What should we call the assessment on the sales receipt?
Per the District’s Management Plan, the assessment will be called “TVWAHD Assmt.”

2) The 1% assessment is charged on gross sales revenue. What does that include?
All direct to consumer sales of for wine, wine club shipments (whether shipped or picked up), ticket sales, tasting fees, tours and private and public special events, merchandise, prepared foods for on-premise or off-premise consumption (whether sold in a tasting room or a stand-alone restaurant on-premise), orders placed via telemarketing, telephone, online, email, whether carried out at the time of purchase, shipped or picked up at a later date (pre-sales). Gross sales revenue shall not include any federal, state or local taxes collected, including but not limited to sales and use taxes.

3) Does the assessment apply to any non-taxable items? (e.g. Shipping, Gratuity, Non-taxable pre-packaged food, etc.?)
No, it only applies to items that you would charge California sales tax on.

4) Would refunded transactions refund the assessment fee previously collected on the order?
Yes, just as you would refund sales tax, you would also refund any assessment collected.

5) Are fees collected for wholesale transactions?
No, there are no assessments collected on wholesale transactions.

6) Our tasting fee includes sales tax and we “back out” the sales tax when it comes time to pay the state. Can we include the assessment in the tasting fee as well and use the same procedure?
Yes, you can, however, it is highly recommended that you line item both the sales tax and the assessment separately, as it will make your accounting much easier and will lessen questions from customers if they see other wineries charging both the tax and assessment and you’re not. In doing a bit of research, many of the wineries in the area do charge sales tax on their tastings as a separate line item.