Locklear Vineyard & Winery

Business Branding For Creatives & Artists

Crafting a Wine Brand that Thrives & Shares The History Of The Lumbee Tribe Of North Carolina

Client: Locklear Vineyard And Winery
Scope:
Brand Identity Development
Objective:
Build a Lasting Brand Identity

The Beginning

Locklear Vineyard & Winery, a family-owned estate and the first Native American-owned winery in North Carolina, has long been dedicated to creating exceptional wines. With a diverse portfolio of 12 distinctive labels and muscadine blends, their commitment to quality has earned them a respected place in the industry.

However, despite this strong foundation, they faced a critical challenge: they lacked clarity around their ideal customer and struggled to create a consistent brand identity. Their assumption that "anyone who drinks wine" was their target market prevented them from establishing a deeper connection with their audience. With a clearer focus, they could elevate their brand and grow their business even further.

Although Locklear Vineyard & Winery had already seen early success, there were a few key challenges holding them back:

- Undefined Audience: Their broad target market lacked focus, which diluted their messaging and prevented them from forming a deeper connection with the right customers.

- Inconsistent Branding: Despite having strong products, their online presence lacked cohesion, with inconsistent branding across their website and social media channels. This led to a fragmented customer experience.

- Missed Growth Opportunities: While they had the potential for greater reach, their inconsistent branding limited their visibility and scalability in a competitive market.

the strategy

A Strong Brand Identity for Long-Term Success

Seven years ago, we worked to refine and clarify the Locklear Vineyard & Winery brand by
focusing on their story and heritage.

The strategy involved:

- Defining Their Brand Identity: We helped them craft a brand story that highlighted their Native American heritage, craftsmanship, and passion for winemaking.

- Target Audience Strategy: By narrowing their audience focus, we helped them better understand who they were serving and how to engage them authentically.

- Visual Consistency: Our goal was to create a cohesive and unified brand experience across their website, social media, and other marketing channels.

These refinements sparked a significant growth trajectory, increasing their yearly revenue to $1.2 million. However, the lack of ongoing consistency across their platforms has limited their ability to reach their full potential.


The Ongoing Challenge

Digital Presence and Brand Consistency

Although Locklear Vineyard & Winery has made impressive strides, their digital presence still lacks the alignment needed to fully leverage their brand potential. If they had maintained a consistent visual identity across all touchpoints, they would have been positioned to see even more growth and market recognition.

Takeaway

Branding as a Catalyst for Growth


Locklear Vineyard & Winery’s journey underscores the critical importance of strategic branding and consistency.
While their early success is a testament to the strength of their product and heritage, ongoing efforts to maintain a unified brand identity across their digital channels will unlock greater opportunities for visibility, growth, and long-term success.