Music and wine: how the right soundtrack elevates the experience
Great music sounds even better with a glass of wine at the ready.
These 10 wineries are blending sound with every pour, elevating mood, memory and the full tasting experience.
From pour to playlist
Did you know that the songs you hear playing while you sip your wine can influence how that wine tastes? It’s true: Studies show that the right soundtrack can enhance flavors, aromas and overall enjoyment.
To see how that’s played out in the real world, we asked 10 valued Soundtrack customers in the United States a simple question:
Their answers were as eclectic as the wines they pour. Some rely on soulful jazz or smooth acoustic playlists to slow the pace and encourage conversation. Others turn to upbeat indie pop or contemporary hits to add energy and complement a lively tasting. A few lean into local artists or regional sounds that connect guests to the vineyard's roots.
Just as every wine tells a story, every soundtrack captures the spirit of the place — the rhythm of the vineyard, the personality of the winemakers and the experience they want every guest to savor.
Barrister Winery (Spokane, Washington)
Tyler: At Barrister Winery and our satellite tasting room, we build adult contemporary playlists that work well with everything from daily tastings to corporate events and weddings. Our customers enjoy the playlists we've created and comment on them often.
We opted to use Soundtrack for many reasons. First and foremost was compliance with industry regulations for streaming music in commercial business settings. Second was the incredible pricing tiers for those services. But we also love having the extensive catalog of mainstream music at our fingertips.
Playlist pairing: Adult Contemporary
Featuring: Timeless hits with a sophisticated edge
The perfect soundtrack for grown-ups who know great music when they hear it. From Fleetwood Mac and Michael Jackson to Hozier and Coldplay, our Adult Contemporary playlist blends mellow gold and mainstream pop and rock across the decades.
Bruzzi Vineyard (Young and Superior, Arizona)
James: At Bruzzi Vineyard in Young, Arizona and our tasting room in Superior, Arizona, we use Soundtrack to help create a vibe. Vintage Country and Electro Swing Zingers for daytime music, Ballroom Swing for dinners, or Warm Weather Reggae for brunch are our regular go-to stations. We love that there's a perfect station for every event, season or holiday.
Playlist pairing: Vintage Country
Featuring: Classic country songs
Step back into the golden age of country music with legends like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Spanning the 1920s to the 1970s, these timeless hits in our Vintage Country playlist bring authentic storytelling and heartfelt melodies to life.
Cinder Wines (Garden City, Idaho)
Nikki: At our winery and tasting room, music plays a vital role in creating the perfect atmosphere for our guests. During busy weekend days and special events, we play upbeat, modern hits that make the energy absolutely contagious and add to the festive vibe.
On the other hand, smooth jazz or coffee shop playlists during weekdays set a serene and relaxing mood, perfect for our older crowd or those seeking a more peaceful tasting experience.
We value the versatility of pre-made playlists that align with seasonal vibes, as well as the ability to create our own with input from our tasting room associates. Whether it's a curated playlist or seasonal tunes, we let the music set the tone and enhance the mood, ensuring every visit to Cinder Wines feels unique and memorable.
Playlist pairing: Smooth & Jazzy
Featuring: Sleek jazz instrumentals
Featuring artists like Boney James and Chuck Loeb, our Smooth & Jazzy playlist is a sophisticated blend of easygoing jazz that complements any winery or brewery setting. It's as smooth as your favorite vintage pour.
Fortuity Cellars (Wapato, Washington)
Lee and Emily: For us at Fortuity Cellars, selecting the playlist for the day is essential to creating the perfect atmosphere. We adjust our music selection throughout the day, drawing from indie, folk, pop and Americana playlists. We aim for upbeat and energetic tracks that enhance our intimate tasting experience without overpowering guest conversations.
The music should complement the space and keep the energy flowing while avoiding anything too aggressive. It's all about creating the right ambience, one that allows our guests to focus on both the wine and their own meaningful conversations.
Our people, our products and our atmosphere are the reason guests give us five-star reviews, why they buy our wine and why they come back. Our hope is that the tasting room experience will be relived at their own dinner tables, where family and friends come together sharing our wine with that same warmth and gratitude that we feel here at Fortuity.
Playlist pairing: New Deep Americana
Featuring: Modern indie and folk sounds
Discover the next generation of Americana with organic, heartfelt tunes. From Jamestown Revival and Jason Isbell to First Aid Kit, our New Deep Americana playlist blends warm guitars, soulful vocals and rich melodies that pair beautifully with any time of day — and any glass of wine.
Genisa Wine Bar (Janesville, Wisconsin)
Joshua: At Genisa Wine Bar, we liked the idea of building a playlist on Spotify and importing it into Soundtrack. This allowed us to play licensed versions of the music the owner enjoyed.
During the week, we play a prebuilt list of easy listening music, when people aren't in a hurry, and we're not in a hurry to flip the tables. On the weekend, when we're looking for higher turnover, we like to play our custom list with familiar songs and a faster beat.
We like the wide selection of premade playlists and the option to create or import our own from Spotify. It's a win-win for Genisa Wine Bar.
Playlist pairing: Nice & Easy
Featuring: Relaxed easy-listening tracks from the 2000s to today
Slow it down and savor the moment with mellow pop, R&B and soul hits. Featuring artists like Sabrina Carpenter, John Mayer, Billie Eilish and Childish Gambino, this Nice & Easy playlist of soothing tunes provides the perfect laid-back soundtrack for enjoying good wine and good company.
Lagana Cellars (Walla Walla, Washington)
Jason: I don't think the music has necessarily changed a customer's mind on buying wine, but we tend to keep it fun. For the holidays, we do play a Christmas channel, but other than that it's usually the Pop FM channel or something like that. I like to keep it modern, upbeat, and fun. No need for a stuffy tasting room when you come to Lagana Cellars!
Playlist pairing: Pop FM
Featuring: Energetic pop anthems
From nostalgic throwbacks to today's chart-topping hits, the Pop FM playlist delivers feel-good energy and irresistible singalongs. With Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Bastille and *NSYNC in the mix, these pop-y, radio-friendly hits are the life of the party. Pair them with good vibes and even better wine.
Tasting House (Los Gatos, California)
At the Tasting House, we play jazz. Sometimes, it's Latin jazz, other times big band, swing or French. We select from playlists created by Soundtrack.
We love Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Billie Holiday and other classic artists.
Music creates the energy in our space. On cool, rainy days, we play slow and easy music. On Friday and Saturday evenings, we have live bands (we love to support local musicians). Then we move right into the big band and swing playlists.
Playlist pairing: When Cool Was Born
Featuring: Iconic midcentury jazz
Dive into the effortlessly cool sounds of Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Chet Baker and John Coltrane. The When Cool Was Born playlist showcases the sparse blue tones of '50s and '60s jazz, perfect for creating a classy, laid-back ambience. Timeless, elegant and undeniably cool.
Vintage Books and Wine (Austin, Texas)
Jean: Music plays a huge role at Vintage Books and Wine because it's one of the most effective tools for creating atmosphere. We host many different kinds of events, from author readings and wine tastings to midnight release parties, singles mixers and more. Each event has a very distinct mood, and creating the perfect playlist is a necessity for bringing that environment to life. Much like how different varietals of wine can be suited to different seasons, music can help usher our store from one moment to the next.
Playlist pairing: Indie Pop Social Club
Featuring: Atmospheric indie pop
Create the perfect modern backdrop with dreamy tunes that won't overpower the conversation. Featuring artists like Lana Del Rey, Bon Iver, and Iron & Wine, the Indie Pop Social Club playlist combines lush melodies with understated energy, making it an ideal companion for social clubs or intimate get-togethers.
Whiskers and Wine Cat Cafe (San Diego, California)
Nicole: We have adoptable cats and kittens that live at Whiskers and Wine until they're adopted, so it's a unique experience for both the kitties and the guests, who pet the kitties while enjoying wine, specialty cocktails, craft beer and delicious eats.
Generally, we play chill playlists, but we also adjust to special events like yoga, bingo and birthday parties. Employees sense the mood of the guests, cats and occasion and adjust the music to support the atmosphere. What's great is that there are so many different options, we can create a space everyone enjoys.
Playlist pairing: Fall Chill
Featuring: Cozy, lo-fi–inspired tracks for a year-round autumn vibe
Capture the essence of crisp days and tranquil evenings with mellow beats and soft melodies. Perfect for cozying up indoors with felines and wine, the Fall Chill playlist channels the serene energy of autumn with chill lo-fi vibes — whether it's fall or you just wish it were.
With the Wind Winery (Rosholt, South Dakota)
Vanessa: We tailor our music to match the seasons and events happening at With the Wind Winery. During summer, upbeat country and pop tunes set the tone for lively, sun-soaked days. As fall arrives, indie and folk music create the perfect backdrop for our Farmer's Market. In winter, especially around the holidays, cozy, jazz-inspired music adds warmth to the season.
Over the years, we've discovered how music influences the mood and experience of our guests. Curating music encourages relaxation and a vacation-like vibe. We've found it also positively impacts sales. It's fascinating to see how musical preferences evolve. Ten years ago, indie and folk weren't even on our radar, but they've since become staples in our lineup.
Playlist pairing: Current Country Pop
Featuring: Today's top country hits with a pop twist
Set the perfect tone for your wine-tasting experience with this vibrant collection of pop-infused country tunes. Featuring chart-toppers like Zach Bryan, Morgan Wallen, Halsey and Jelly Roll, the Current Country Pop playlist is full of upbeat tracks that blend heartfelt storytelling with infectious rhythms.
Narragansett Brewery (Providence, Rhode Island)
Ezra: As a historic brand (going on 135 years!), we love playing with musical eras and seeing how they change the atmosphere here at Narragansett Brewery. From a 1960s cocktail lounge vibe for a historical beer release to yacht rock on a sunny day on our patio, the core values of our brand and the taproom are all about connection and fun.
We also use Soundtrack's new messaging feature to play vintage Narragansett radio ads, allowing us to share our heritage with a new generation of fans.
Playlist pairing: Yacht Rock
Featuring: Soft rock classics with a smooth, breezy vibe
Combining late '70s and early '80s classics with modern artists reviving the genre, this Yacht Rock playlist is all about smooth sailing. Featuring Kool & the Gang, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs and more, it's the ultimate backdrop for a chill yet sophisticated gathering.
Find your soundtrack
Each wine tells a story, and music is its perfect pairing. Try Soundtrack free for 14 days and see what it can do for your business.