Drea Helfer

President, DH Wine Compliance

An alcohol compliance firm with 26 employees based in Santa Rosa.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business in the past 18 months?

Most of our clients fared well and were able to pivot their sales to keep the business going. Some clients did dissolve their businesses, but surprisingly, this number was very low. As a result, our business continued to flourish and grow.

We saw many new wine start-ups, most of whom were focused on the direct-to-consumer and online sales. Existing clients, who have winery sites, quickly submitted applications to extend their licensed boundaries to include new outdoor areas for wine tastings and events. We also saw a few new wine-tasting venues open their doors, which is exciting as it encourages more and more consumers to physically visit and consume.

What is your outlook for 2022?

Our company, and other compliance firms, have project waiting lists. It’s actually an odd position to be in. So many businesses (and people) are struggling to stay afloat while we are just struggling to keep up with demand.

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