Website for Head High
More than any other beverage, wine is a lifestyle product. And Sonoma-based Head High Wines is a lifestyle brand. The first verified climate-neutral, ocean-positive, Seatrees Certified winery, Head High is a community of committed outdoor enthusiasts who live to be near the ocean and love to drink fine wines.
Vin’s website design includes playful custom details like the current Sonoma Coast tide and weather report, an interactive hamburger menu that looks like rolling waves, and a “Find Wines” tool.
- Website Design & Development
- Creative Direction
- Narrative Strategy
- Copywriting
The Challenge
Head High strikes a rare balance between laid-back approachability and fine winemaking. The wines are marketed toward lovers of the outdoors, and are priced within reach. At the same time, the vineyard and cellar teams are top-notch, and Head High wines are made exclusively from sustainably farmed Sonoma vineyards. And because the winery has no tasting room, the website carries the bulk of the weight of communication.
In addition, the company culture is unique: Founder Bill Price III has been a lifelong surfer, and his love of ocean sport pervades every aspect of Head High. Brand Ambassador Kaleigh Gilchrist, an Olympic gold medalist and world champion in water polo and surfing, embodies the dynamic Head High spirit.
Finally, there are the sustainability and philanthropy aspects to the Head High story, with the winery making more than $172K in contributions to social and environmental organizations to date.
Vin’s website for Head High communicates winemaker Britt Richards’ low-intervention approach in the cellar while also highlighting the brand’s fun-loving character with interactive elements like a hamburger menu that moves like rolling waves. A Sonoma Coast tide and weather report underscores the outdoor-adventure theme. A Community page focuses on philanthropic engagement and SeaTrees certification; and an interactive “Find Wines” tool appeals to younger and more active wine consumers.
The result is an online hub that has the friendly vibe of a beach bonfire on the Sonoma Coast.
- Convey the brand’s youthful exuberance.
- Message the high quality of the vineyard sources and winemaking.
- Introduce the brand ambassador and incorporate her story.
- Share Head High’s commitment to giving back.
- Create a sense of online community for a winery with no tasting room.
I’ve worked on many website builds and refreshes over the years—this was by far the best experience I’ve ever had with an agency.
For someone seeing the website development process for the first time, this was an eye-opener for me. You all showcased how to balance our needs with what would be most beneficial though a consumer focused lens.
