2026-02-28 · 10 min read

Proven Decanter email designs you can use

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After analyzing 14 Decanter emails, a few repeatable patterns stand out, editorial-led storytelling, product spotlights, and clear module-based layouts. This gallery shows real campaigns Decanter actually sent, with screenshots plus notes on subject lines, CTAs, and content structure. Use the takeaways to tighten your newsletter flow and build more click-friendly sections.

1. Decanter Retailer Awards 2023: First set of results revealed

1. Decanter Retailer Awards 2023: First set of results revealed
1. Decanter Retailer Awards 2023: First set of results revealed
Subject: Decanter Retailer Awards 2023: First set of results revealed
Objective

This email aims to generate excitement and engagement by announcing the first wave of winners in the Decanter Retailer Awards 2023, while also driving traffic to premium content and encouraging deeper exploration of Decanter’s wine coverage and community.

Why this works

The email leverages award season momentum to position Decanter as the authoritative voice in wine retail, turning recognition into a content gateway that rewards curiosity with exclusive insights and premium tasting reports.

How to implement

By leading with a bold hero image and clear category callouts, the campaign instantly communicates prestige and specificity, helping readers self-select into the content that matters most to their wine interests or professional roles.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown or 'Results Released Weekly' indicator beneath the hero section to create urgency and encourage return visits for future award announcements, reinforcing the campaign’s ongoing nature. • Reposition the social media icons and footer links slightly higher, just above the footer, to improve discoverability without disrupting the content flow, since readers may want to share or follow before scrolling to the bottom.

Colors:
#6B1E3A
#FFFFFF
#333333

2. Priorat 2021 vs 2022: Panel tasting results

2. Priorat 2021 vs 2022: Panel tasting results
2. Priorat 2021 vs 2022: Panel tasting results
Subject: Priorat 2021 vs 2022: Panel tasting results
Objective

To engage wine enthusiasts by showcasing expert panel tasting results comparing Priorat vintages 2021 and 2022, while promoting related content and events that deepen brand authority and reader loyalty.

Why this works

The email leverages expert-driven content to build credibility, positioning Decanter as a trusted authority by highlighting panel tasting results that reveal nuanced differences between vintages, which appeals directly to discerning wine collectors.

How to implement

By visually grouping high-scoring wines with bold typography and clean bottle imagery, the campaign creates instant visual authority and encourages deeper exploration through a well-placed 'READ MORE' CTA that feels earned rather than pushy.

Pro Tip

Add a brief summary or scoring range (e.g., 'Top-rated wines: 92–95 points') directly under the hero image to immediately convey value and reduce the cognitive load for skimmers who may not click through. • Introduce a subtle visual hierarchy by varying CTA button colors or sizes for premium content (e.g., Andrew Jefford’s column) to signal higher editorial value and guide users toward monetizable or loyalty-building content.

Colors:
#5a0f22
#ffffff
#f5f5f5

3. Decanter magazine latest issue: October 2023

3. Decanter magazine latest issue: October 2023
3. Decanter magazine latest issue: October 2023
Subject: Decanter magazine latest issue: October 2023
Objective

To drive engagement with Decanter’s October 2023 issue by highlighting its premium content, including award-winning winemakers, vintage retrospectives, and regional deep dives, while encouraging readers to explore further through curated article links.

Why this works

The email effectively leverages prestige by spotlighting award-winning figures and legendary vintages, which instantly signals editorial authority and justifies the reader’s time investment in the issue.

How to implement

By organizing content into visually distinct, topic-specific tiles with consistent CTA buttons, the design guides readers seamlessly through diverse subjects without overwhelming them or diluting the magazine’s core wine focus.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown timer or urgency cue near the 'READ MORE' CTA to encourage immediate clicks, especially since the October issue may feel dated without a temporal nudge. • Integrate a personalized subject line or dynamic content block (e.g., 'As a fan of Bordeaux, you’ll love this vintage deep dive') to increase relevance and open rates based on subscriber preferences.

Colors:
#6B2E4A
#FFFFFF
#F5F0E6

4. Decanter Hall of Fame and Rising Star 2023 winners revealed

4. Decanter Hall of Fame and Rising Star 2023 winners revealed
4. Decanter Hall of Fame and Rising Star 2023 winners revealed
Subject: Decanter Hall of Fame and Rising Star 2023 winners revealed
Objective

This email aims to celebrate and spotlight the 2023 Decanter Hall of Fame and Rising Star award winners while driving engagement through curated wine content and brand partnerships. It also seeks to reinforce Decanter’s authority in the wine industry by showcasing expert profiles and premium regional reports.

Why this works

The email opens with a powerful dual-hero visual that humanizes the award winners, one a seasoned winemaker, the other a geologist, instantly conveying storytelling depth and emotional resonance that elevates the brand beyond mere product promotion.

How to implement

By featuring regional wine reports, celebrity launches, and luxury travel destinations in a clean grid layout, the email transforms a simple announcement into a curated editorial experience that caters to wine enthusiasts’ broader interests in culture, travel, and lifestyle.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown or urgency indicator near the ‘READ MORE’ CTA under the award announcement to encourage immediate clicks, especially since award reveals often have time-sensitive relevance for industry followers. • Integrate a short testimonial or quote from one of the award winners directly beneath their photo to add credibility and emotional pull, making the recognition feel more personal and impactful rather than just informational.

Colors:
#8B0000
#FFFFFF
#F5F5F5

5. Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Report: The best of the ‘intense’ new 2021 wines

5. Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Report: The best of the ‘intense’ new 2021 wines
5. Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Report: The best of the ‘intense’ new 2021 wines
Subject: Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Report: The best of the ‘intense’ new 2021 wines
Objective

This email aims to engage wine enthusiasts by spotlighting the standout 2021 Brunello di Montalcino vintage, while driving traffic to in-depth editorial content and promoting related wine regions and categories through curated article links.

Why this works

The email opens with a visually rich, region-specific headline that immediately signals authority and depth, drawing in serious wine readers by promising expert insight into a highly anticipated vintage rather than generic promotion.

How to implement

Each content block pairs a compelling image with a tightly written sub-headline that teases both the story and the reader’s curiosity, like mentioning ‘surprising balance’ or ‘award-winning Chinese wines’, making every CTA feel like a discovery, not a click.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle visual hierarchy to the CTA buttons, such as varying button size or color intensity, to guide the reader’s eye toward the primary article (Brunello 2021) before secondary content, reinforcing the campaign’s core objective. • Include a short, bold pull-quote or rating (e.g., '95+ points from Decanter’s panel') under the hero headline to immediately signal editorial authority and urgency, increasing perceived value and click-through likelihood.

Colors:
#5C1A28
#FFFFFF
#F5F5F5

6. USA Chardonnay: Panel tasting results

6. USA Chardonnay: Panel tasting results
6. USA Chardonnay: Panel tasting results
Subject: USA Chardonnay: Panel tasting results
Objective

To engage wine enthusiasts by showcasing expert panel tasting results for USA Chardonnay, while promoting Decanter’s premium content and encouraging further exploration of wine reviews, vintage reports, and subscription offerings.

Why this works

The email effectively leverages visual storytelling by displaying five standout Chardonnay bottles upfront, immediately signaling credibility and editorial authority while drawing the reader’s eye to the tasting’s curated results.

How to implement

By anchoring the hero section with geographic context, highlighting Oregon and California’s Sta Rita Hills, the campaign adds regional authenticity and helps readers mentally map where top-tier wines are being produced today.

Pro Tip

The primary CTA 'READ MORE' is visually consistent but lacks urgency or specificity, consider testing variants like 'See the Top 5 Chardonnays' or 'Reveal the Scores' to increase click-through by aligning with reader intent. • The email’s middle section mixes news, education, and subscription prompts without clear visual hierarchy, reorganizing these tiles by user intent (e.g., 'For Enthusiasts' vs. 'For Buyers') would improve content discoverability and conversion flow.

Colors:
#6D1F3A
#FFFFFF
#F5F5F5

7. The Araujo legacy: Wheeler Farms and Accendo Cellars, plus 10 wines tasted

7. The Araujo legacy: Wheeler Farms and Accendo Cellars, plus 10 wines tasted
7. The Araujo legacy: Wheeler Farms and Accendo Cellars, plus 10 wines tasted
Subject: The Araujo legacy: Wheeler Farms and Accendo Cellars, plus 10 wines tasted
Objective

This email aims to engage wine enthusiasts by highlighting the legacy of the Araujo family through their new ventures, while also promoting Decanter’s editorial content and subscription offers to deepen reader loyalty and drive conversions.

Why this works

The email masterfully blends storytelling with brand authority by opening with a compelling human narrative about the Araujo family’s wine legacy, instantly creating emotional resonance and positioning Decanter as a curator of wine history worth following.

How to implement

By featuring multiple content tiles with clear, benefit-driven headlines like '16 award-winning wines to try' and 'Loire harvest report 2023,' the email encourages deeper exploration while catering to varied reader interests without overwhelming the layout.

Pro Tip

The primary CTA 'READ MORE' is generic and underwhelming, it should be more benefit-driven, such as 'Discover the Araujo Family’s New Wine Legacy' to better align with the emotional hook and increase click-through intent. • The promotional offer for '12 months of Decanter for £59.99' lacks urgency or social proof, adding a limited-time badge or a testimonial quote like 'Join 150,000+ wine lovers who trust Decanter' would strengthen conversion potential.

Colors:
#6B1A3A
#FFFFFF
#F5F5F5

8. How Bordeaux 2016 surprised winemakers to compete with all-time greats

8. How Bordeaux 2016 surprised winemakers to compete with all-time greats
8. How Bordeaux 2016 surprised winemakers to compete with all-time greats
Subject: How Bordeaux 2016 surprised winemakers to compete with all-time greats
Objective

This email aims to engage wine enthusiasts by highlighting compelling stories and expert insights from Decanter’s latest content, encouraging readers to explore deeper articles while reinforcing the brand’s authority in global wine culture and criticism.

Why this works

The email masterfully opens with a high-stakes narrative about Bordeaux 2016’s unexpected greatness, instantly hooking wine lovers by framing vintage analysis as a dramatic, human story of winemakers’ struggle and triumph rather than dry data.

How to implement

By blending premium content like vintage reports and panel tastings with accessible lifestyle features such as tequila pairings and travel guides, the email caters to both connoisseurs and casual drinkers, expanding its appeal without diluting its expert voice.

Pro Tip

Add a personalized subject line or dynamic content block referencing the recipient’s past reading behavior (e.g., ‘You loved our Bordeaux coverage, here’s why 2016 is a must-read’) to increase relevance and open rates. • Include a subtle progress indicator or ‘Top 3 Most Read This Week’ badge near the top to create social proof and urgency, nudging readers to engage with trending content before scrolling further.

Colors:
#5C1A2A
#FFFFFF
#F5F5F5

9. Luce vertical: A ‘winning varietal blend’

9. Luce vertical: A ‘winning varietal blend’
9. Luce vertical: A ‘winning varietal blend’
Subject: Luce vertical: A ‘winning varietal blend’
Objective

To engage wine enthusiasts by showcasing a curated vertical tasting of Luce, a premium Tuscan blend, while driving traffic to Decanter’s editorial content and reinforcing brand authority in fine wine journalism.

Why this works

The email leverages expert credibility by naming Stephen Brook as the taster, which instantly signals authority and invites readers to trust the depth of the review before even clicking through.

How to implement

By framing the Luce vertical as a 'winning varietal blend' rather than just another tasting note, the subject line and headline tap into emotional appeal and curiosity, making it feel like a discovery rather than an information dump.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown or urgency cue near the 'READ MORE' CTA, such as 'Limited vintage insights available until [date]', to increase click-through rates by creating perceived scarcity around exclusive content. • Integrate a short teaser quote from Stephen Brook’s tasting notes directly under the hero image to give immediate sensory context and entice skimmers who may not scroll further.

Colors:
#6B1E3A
#FFFFFF
#F5F0E8

10. Californian wine investment: Growing pains on the market?

10. Californian wine investment: Growing pains on the market?
10. Californian wine investment: Growing pains on the market?
Subject: Californian wine investment: Growing pains on the market?
Objective

To engage wine investors and enthusiasts by highlighting a shift in the Californian wine market, while positioning Decanter as a trusted source for in-depth analysis and curated wine recommendations. The email also aims to drive traffic to editorial content and award-winning product guides.

Why this works

The email opens with a provocative, data-driven headline that immediately signals market volatility, creating urgency and curiosity among investors without resorting to hype or sensationalism.

How to implement

By pairing award-winning wine bottles with their scores and regions, the email subtly reinforces Decanter’s authority while offering tangible, curated recommendations that feel both editorial and commercial.

Pro Tip

Add a subtle countdown or time-sensitive tag near the 'READ MORE' CTA on the hero section to create urgency around the market analysis, especially since the trend shift is recent and actionable. • Reorder the content grid to place the 'DWAA Shopper’s Guide' at the top right, adjacent to the hero, to capitalize on investor interest by immediately offering a solution (award-winning wines) after highlighting the problem (market downturn).

Colors:
#8B0000
#FFFFFF
#F5F5F5