“You'd better start swimmin’ or you'll sink like a stone 

For the times, they are a changin’”--Bob Dylan

These are heady times for the wine industry.  The past decades have seen an explosion of wine awareness, appreciation, and production around the globe.  Traditional old world wineries now must compete for market share with new facilities, and even with a greatly expanded pool of buyers this competition is fierce.  Everything about wine production is being challenged and tested, even the concept that wine should be made from the juice of pressed fruit.  Impossible?  No, as long as you don’t mind an “acceptable” product.  Thus far, no “synthetic” wine maker has stormed the markets, but who can say what might happen in the next few years?

It’s not only wine production, but marketing and distribution that are undergoing rapid change.  Smart bottles and caps, integrated into the Internet of Things via WiFi and Bluetooth, are already available, with more sure to come.  Perhaps the most significant recent development in the wine industry (at least in terms of miles traveled) is China’s launching ofCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir vines up into space.  The vines, which will be housed in the Tiangong-2 space lab, will be observed for genetic changes that (it is hoped) will make them more resistant to harsh climates back here on Earth.  Since fermented beverages have always followed humanity, can space-produced wines, beers and spirits be long in coming?

With all these changes facing the wine industry, it’s reasonable to ask just what has your winery done to innovate recently?  Are you on the web, with a mobile-optimized site?  Do you have an active online and social media marketing program in place?  Is your physical plant all it could be, not just to make the best wines but also as an event site or tour destination?  And, if you’re not sure about any of these things, where can you go for help?

Just like making wine, experience in innovating and building a better business greatly increases your chances of success.  Sierra View General Contractors has the wine industry experience you need, and the commitment to quality construction done on time and within budget you’ll appreciate.  Sierra View experts can help you assess your current situation and make plans to grow your winery to meet tomorrow’s challenges.  Experienced vintner Kristan Story, who recently joined Sierra View, is just one of Sierra View’s team of talented personnel that are available to help you create a superior plan for your winery.

Yes, the times they are a changin’, and change can be scary--and it can also be the best thing that ever happened to your winery.  Why not let Sierra View help you manage the fear and prepare for a brighter future?  At least, until the Mutant Merlot From Outer Space destroys the planet....(just kidding!)