With PG&E rates continuing to climb and grid reliability becoming less predictable, more North Coast wineries and businesses are looking for smarter ways to take control of their energy use. Solar alone is a great step—but pairing it with battery storage takes things further. Battery backup systems allow you to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it when rates are highest or when the grid goes down, helping reduce peak energy costs while keeping critical operations running. Beyond outage protection, battery systems can play a strategic role in long-term energy planning—especially for facilities with refrigeration, production schedules, or hospitality operations that can’t afford interruptions. Whether you’re looking to offset rising utility costs, improve energy independence, or add resilience to your operation, integrating battery storage with your solar system is becoming an increasingly valuable solution. Learn More

For years, discounting has been the default lever wineries pull to spark sales and reward loyal customers. But in today’s crowded marketplace, deep discounts can erode brand value and condition customers to buy only when the price drops. There’s a better way: loyalty points programs. Retention, without discounting, comes from making customers feel known, valued, and part of something special. They’ll stay not because it’s cheaper, but because it’s theirs. Instead of discounting away margin, wineries can encourage repeat visits and purchases by offering rewards that feel aspirational, personalized, and memorable. Loyalty points add up over time, giving guests a reason to come back again and again, all the while protecting your brand’s premium image. 10 Reasons Why Loyalty Points Work Shift from price to experience. Points reward frequency and engagement, not bargain hunting. The program should reinforce experience, access, and emotional loyalty, not

Today’s wine consumers are increasingly focused on sustainability, pushing wineries to reduce water use, limit chemicals, and improve overall efficiency — all without compromising wine quality. Meeting these expectations requires innovative systems that make operations cleaner, faster, and more resource-efficient. Spraying Systems Co. helps wineries achieve exactly that. Their Cloud-Sellers® Tank Cleaning and WindJet® Drying Systems are designed to minimize waste and energy consumption while maintaining high production standards. The Cloud-Sellers® 360 Tank Cleaner and TankJet® Nozzles deliver powerful, uniform cleaning with less water and reduced cycle times, helping wineries save both time and resources. Meanwhile, WindJet® Air Knife Systems use clean, heated air to dry bottles and containers quickly and efficiently — cutting energy use and reducing the need for compressed air. By integrating these sustainable solutions, wineries can l

Not all detergents work the same way. If you’re using the wrong scrubbing bubbles you – and your equipment – will be sorry. Using the wrong detergent in your commercial or industrial pressure washer can set you up for everything from poor cleaning results to damaging your equipment and costing you big bucks. Do you know the 5 warning signs you’re using the wrong detergent? 5 Signs You’re Using The Wrong Detergent With Your Pressure Washer Choosing the right detergent is crucial when it comes to maintaining your commercial or industrial pressure washer. But did you know that detergents are not interchangeable because each one is formulated to deliver specific results? Using an incompatible or ineffective detergent can lead to a variety of problems, from way too many sudsy bubbles clogging the works to poor cleaning outcomes to damage to your equipment. Check out these are five signs that signal you might be using the wrong detergent with your pressure wash

The wine industry is undergoing a significant transformation, as highlighted in recent analyses from SVB and BMO. Both institutions underscore a pressing need for wineries to adapt to shifting consumer behaviors and market dynamics. Declining Consumption and Changing Demographics BMO's 2025 Wine Market Report indicates a 4% drop in U.S. wine consumption in 2024, with Canada experiencing a 5% decline. SVB points to a long-term "demand correction," noting that Millennials and Gen Z are less engaged with wine compared to previous generations. This generational shift is further emphasized by BMO's finding that only 8% of consumers believe moderate alcohol consumption is healthy, while 45% view it as harmful. Challenges in Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Sales While DTC sales have been a lifeline for many wineries, their effectiveness is waning. BMO reports that although DTC revenue has increased, shipment volumes are down by 10%. SVB highlights issues such as wine club churn and

Hard to believe, we are a quarter of the way through 2025! It seems like just yesterday we were starting 2025, but here we are, 90 days in to the "new" year. Here are a few things you may have missed, things that caught our eye (or ear), and a few actionable ideas for the next quarter. 2024 Annual Report Card - WISE Mystery Shopping Triple Score In early 2025, we released our Annual Triple Score Report Card. While Mystery Shopping covers over 75 criteria points, these three are perhaps the most important. How often are our Mystery Shoppers asked buy wine, how often are they warmly invited to join the wine club, and how often are they asked to keep in touch via joining the mailing list? In 2024, we saw a dramatic decline in Triple Score averages. In particular, data collection is critically low at just 18%—meaning we’re only asking fewer than one in five guests to keep the conversation going. Wine clubs work because people DO like to be part of them (did you know

FTIR Wine Analyzer: Lyza 5000 Wine The Evolution of Wine Analysis  The novel multiparameter FTIR analyzer Lyza 5000 Wine is your solution for the analysis of must, must in fermentation, and wine.  Fast measurements for a multitude of parameters ensure that you have all the information you need – during all stages of wine production. Thanks to a quick setup and preinstalled models, all important results for wine analysis, including ethanol, sugars, and acid profile, are just a tap away.  Lyza 5000 Wine is equipped with the Xsample 370, a singleposition autosampler designed for seamless, fully automated cell care. For high-throughput analysis, the system can be delivered with Xsample 520, Anton Paar’s premium multiposition autosampler, ensuring efficient performance.  The FTIR analyzer you have been waiting for. ✅ Lifelong Performance for your wine analysis ✅ Results in less than 1 Minute ✅ More than 15 Key Parameters in wine, must, and must in

Paul Johnson, G&D’s Director of Technology and R&D In the ever-evolving refrigeration industry, advancements in technology and materials are crucial for achieving peak performance and meeting today’s challenge of mitigating climate change. One standout innovation is the use of propane (R290) as a refrigerant, a topic we recently explored with Matteo Iobbi, CTO of Frascold, a leading global manufacturer of the most technologically advanced, semi-hermetic compressors on the market today. Frascold partnered with us at G&D Chillers for our new Elite 290 propane chiller line. Propane’s success in Europe stems from early adoption in niche markets, proving its energy efficiency, versatility, and effectiveness. Over time, stringent regulations on high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants accelerated propane’s integration. Today, propane is a staple in mass-produced products such as heat pumps and cooling units across Europe. As we officially launch t

When a storm hit Coyote Point Recreation Area with torrential rain and strong wind gusts, the aftermath was devastating. Over 200 downed trees created a widespread power outage that paralyzed operations not only within the recreation area but also neighboring facilities and utility customers. When faced with a daunting six-month timeline for grid power restoration, CuriOdyssey, a science playground and zoo located at Coyote Point, found itself in dire straits.  CD & Power Steps In Having previously worked with CD & Power’s for a generator to safeguard refrigeration, the Wildlife Director at CuriOdyssey knew they could rely on our expertise and worked with us to develop a plan. The primary concern was the welfare of the wildlife residents, but there was also the critical need for heating in staff spaces to maintain operational continuity. CD & Power’s Expertise at Work CD & Power collaborated closely with CuriOdyssey to devise a comprehensive sol

KILLBRETT: VEGAN, ALLERGEN-FREE, ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENT Ensuring microbial stability is fundamental for preserving wine quality and avoiding economic losses from spoilage. Recent advancements provide winemakers with effective tools to proactively prevent and eliminate these undesirable microorganisms. MICROBIAL STABILITY ARTICLE  KILLBRETT®: a natural, vegan, allergen free fining agent made from 100% fungal chitosan (extracted from Aspergillus niger). Known It has a wide spectrum anti-microbial effect, eliminating Brettanomyces, other non-Saccharomyces, Lactic Acid Bacteria and Acetic Acid Bacteria. Easy to use, KILLBRETT® serves as both a preventive and curative treatment during aging Preventive: Add 4 g/hL of KILLBRETT® post MLF for months-long protection. Curative: In case of contamination, add 8 g/hL of KILLBRETT®, settle for 10 days, rack off gross lees, and add 2 g/hL for continued protection during aging. We are offering a 10% discount on KILLBRETT. Use the