Wine Walls: A Fun, Flexible Way to Boost Fundraising and Delight Your Guests

A Wine Wall, also called a Wine Pull, is a fundraising activity where guests purchase a ticket to “pull” or select a mystery bottle of wine (or another themed beverage). Every ticket guarantees a bottle, but the value of that bottle varies. Some are everyday favorites, and others are premium surprises.

A Wine Wall is more than a game. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing way to bring energy into the room, spark conversation, and raise meaningful dollars for your mission. Guests get to enjoy their bottle right at their table, and you get a simple activity that supports sponsorship, engagement, and event-day revenue.

There’s enormous room for creativity here. Start with your theme, have fun with the concept, and don’t feel bound to wine unless it makes sense for your audience.

Does It Have to Be Wine? Not at All. A Wine Wall is simply a themed pull-and-reveal game and that means you can match it to any event style. Hosting a whisky tasting? Feature bourbon or whisky bottles. Planning a “Gin Joint” fundraiser? Build a wall of gin. Cocktail-themed gala? Use vodka bottles for a Martini Hour twist.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to build a Wine Wall that integrates into your fundraising strategy.

Mix of Bottle Values for Surprise & Delight
Setting the Ticket Prices
Choose the Selection Method & Make it Pop

Mix of Bottle Values for Surprise & Delight

Collect a mix of bottles at different price points to build excitement and create a memorable Wine Wall experience. You can source them from board members, sponsors, long-time supporters, wineries, local businesses, or wine merchants. If you are buying them, make sure to purchase from a merchant that allows returns on unused bottles.
Generally, offering a range of wine bottle values adds an element of surprise and a true WOW factor, especially when a few premium bottles are included.

For an added personal touch, invite board members to donate their favorite bottle and attach a tag with their name and a brief note about why your mission matters to them. This simple addition helps guests feel even more connected to the cause.

Setting the Ticket Price

When setting the ticket price for your Wine Wall, aim for an amount that feels inviting to guests while still supporting your fundraising goals. Start by considering the average bottle cost along with any higher-value or “premium” bottles you plan to include, as these can justify a higher price point and add extra excitement.
Keep your overall fundraising targets in mind, as well as the most expensive bottle in your collection, and use these factors to guide your pricing. Many nonprofits land between $20 and $25 per pull, but the right number depends on your audience, the value of your wines, and the tone of your event. A varied bottle selection also creates a low-barrier way for new supporters to contribute.

If you’re hosting a higher-end gathering, don’t hesitate to price boldly—guests appreciate the experience, enjoy the anticipation, and love the possibility of walking away with a standout bottle.

Gazala from GFS Events shares:
“The wine itself was valued at around $15–$20, but we sold the chance to buy the wine at $100—and we sold out.”

Choosing the Selection Method & Make it Pop

When it’s time for guests to choose their bottle, the fun really comes alive, so opt for a selection method that keeps the energy high and the mystery intact. Some events invite guests to simply pick a wrapped bottle from the display, while others add a playful twist with numbered corks that match hidden bottles or a ring toss that lets guests win whichever bottle their ring lands on. No matter the approach, the magic of a Wine Wall lies in the surprise—guests won’t know what they’ve selected or how valuable it is until they open it at their table.

Presentation plays a role in that excitement, so make your Wine Wall pop with a display that feels cohesive, inviting, and aligned with your event’s theme. Whether you choose colorful bags, coordinated wrapping, matching tissue paper, or a simple design that highlights your brand. The goal is to keep bottles fully concealed while building anticipation. Thoughtful presentation adds a polished wow factor and enhances the reveal, to transform that moment of discovery into a spark of joy that elevates the entire room.

This GFS Events wine wall display used glowing blinky rings to light up the boxes and add a playful sparkle:

Revenue Boosters:

Sponsorships:

Sponsorships are a natural fit for a Wine Wall and can elevate both the experience and your fundraising results. Sponsors can contribute through in-kind bottle donations, naming rights, or branded elements woven into the display, giving them meaningful visibility while keeping your event polished and cohesive.

Gamification:

Gamification continues to grow in nonprofit fundraising because it works. In room games can be an excellent addition to any size event and offers an engaging and memorable activity for your guests, donors and creates a great opportunity for sponsorship. Ring Toss, Premium wine off (who will win the $100 bottle) or one bag with an ‘extra prize’ increase competition and boosts participation.
A wine Ring Toss adds instant fun, lively engagement, and plenty of laughs.

Check Local Regulations First

Before launching any game of chance or activity involving alcohol, confirm your local, state, or provincial guidelines. A quick review keeps your event compliant and protects your organization from unnecessary complications.

Make Your Wine Wall a Hit with Auctria

Auctria makes it easy to manage your Wine Wall—tracking donated bottles, highlighting sponsors on your event website, and selling Wine Wall tickets in the room with the Auctria Admin App for fast, seamless checkout. Wine Walls are exciting, flexible, and accessible, offering price points that invite broad participation and add a spark of fun to any event. With a little creativity and the right tools behind you, your Wine Wall can truly shine. So have fun with it and watch the excitement, and revenue, flow.