If you're thinking of selling your winery, rather than closing, this article is for you. These are the top things to consider when positioning your winery for sale in today's market.  If you’re in the wine industry, you already know that this is a hard market. There are an increasing number of wineries for sale, and you likely know several others that would sell if they had the opportunity. So what do you need to do if you’re seriously considering selling your winery in the near future and want to maximize the value of that sale? Here are three areas to focus on: maximizing your cash flow, assessing your salable assets, and being honest with your expectations. Read on my Substack page. Maximize Your Cash Flow The best way to show that your winery is worth the price is to have cash flow. The highest value in a winery is, in fact, cash coming in. At the same time, most wineries consider selling because they don’t have enough of it. That tension is real, and

We proudly announced the recipients of the inaugural WISE Rising Stars Scholarships during a live presentation at the DTC Wine Symposium last week, celebrating the next generation of DTC wine industry leaders in front of more than 500 winery professionals. As one of the event’s original sponsors, WISE continues to invest in the Symposium’s mission of education, collaboration, and forward‑thinking leadership. The Rising Stars Scholarships extend that commitment—supporting people, developing leadership, and strengthening the DTC community across the industry. The Rising Stars Scholarships received an overwhelming response from across the country. The strength of applications prompted Commerce7 to step in and match one of the scholarships, allowing WISE to expand the program and support additional recipients. Join us as we raise a glass towards this year's recipients! Kelsey Gomes is the DTC Marketing Manager at Lange Twins Family Winery & Vineyards. Upon re

Sonoma County Winegrowers Reorganizes to Scale Proven Collaborations and Unlock National Growth Opportunities  At its annual Dollars & $ense meeting today, themed, “The Next Chapter: Elevating What Works and Expanding What’s Possible,” Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW) announced a strategic reorganization and renewed organizational focus to build demand, expand partnerships, and increase sales of Sonoma County wines to support long-term grower success. The moves reflect a proactive response to an evolving marketplace and are designed to ensure Sonoma County remains competitive, relevant, and well-positioned for future growth. Moving forward, Jennifer Dieckmann, currently Chief Operating Officer of Sonoma County Winegrowers, will assume the role of Executive Director and COO, leading the organization’s day-to-day operations, program execution, and team leadership, while maintaining operational excellence and strengthening grower and stakeholder engagement

Strategic consolidation in Sonoma County positions the company for continued innovation and growth Rack & Riddle, the leading custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, has announced a strategic facility realignment to strengthen long-term growth, increase efficiency, and accelerate innovation. The plans include developing a new Sparkling Innovation Park (SIP) embedded within its Healdsburg site, consolidating key operations into a single, world-class location. The Lodi facility, which was added as part of the acquisition of Weibel Family Winery in 2023, will be permanently relocated to Healdsburg. The Rack & Riddle Geyserville and Alexander Valley operations will not be impacted by this consolidation. Sparkling wine continues to be the third largest wine type in the U.S., behind only Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and sparkling wine is outperforming still wines in scanner data. Rack & Riddle has steadily innovated and grown along with market shifts and demand

Cyber Week Winery Marketing: Planning Smarter, Selling Stronger Cyber Week is almost here, and consumers are primed to buy. For wineries, it’s not just a chance to move inventory — it’s a chance to win new fans, reward loyal members, and end the year strong. The goal isn’t simply to discount — it’s to strategically position value, create urgency, and make buying feel effortless. Whether you’re a small family-run tasting room or a multi-location brand, these proven strategies will help you get the most out of the week. 1. Build Anticipation Before the Week Begins Cyber Week success starts long before Friday. The wineries that win start warming up their audience early — building curiosity, boosting email sign-ups, and reminding people why they love their brand. Ideas to get the buzz going: Add a countdown banner or homepage teaser with “Our biggest offer of the year starts soon.” Send a “save the date” email to your

The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. More pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for future generations.  Regenerative principles are a push back against traditional industrial agriculture practices which are respons

The Sustainable Ag Expo isn’t just about earning CE hours—it’s a gathering place for wine industry professionals to learn, network, and celebrate the future of sustainable farming. From morning burritos to student-led research and vintage tractor showcases, this year’s Expo is packed with unique opportunities to make your experience more meaningful and memorable. Here are six can't-miss events happening alongside the seminars: 1. Monday Kick Off: Farming for the Future 🗓️ Monday, Nov 10 | 5:00–7:00 PM 📍 Center of Effort Winery Sponsored by Inland Desert Nursery Start your week with an evening of connection, SIP Certified wines, and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Expo headliner Dr. Chris Chen, will lead a forward-looking conversation on vineyard management in a changing climate. 🎟️ Free for ticket holders (while supplies last), requires separate reservation; additional tickets $50.  2. Breakfast Burritos & Coffee = Day 1 Fuel 🗓

As a wine consumer, if you are looking for qualitative low-to-no-sulfite wines, you know it can be challenging. As a winemaker, if you are trying to craft wines with lower levels of sulfites, you know it is difficult to achieve. It requires a deep understanding of your processes, a solid knowledge of the science behind sulfites mechanisms of action, and continued efforts at all stages of your wine’s life cycle. The reasons why you are working on a low(er) SO2 winemaking program can be very diverse and multiple. You may be producing organic wines or simply trying to follow regulatory limits. You may be targeting to reduce the allergens in your wines or trying to use fewer chemicals in general. You may be worried about the negative effect that SO2 can have on your wines’ organoleptic qualities, or you are simply targeting to follow the overall health trend. In any case, Fermentis has solutions for you. As a global leader in the research and development of fermentation s

Wine club flexibility drives retention — but for many wineries, giving members the freedom to change wines before a shipment often comes at the cost of time, stress, and manual work. In our recent interviews with DTC managers at small and mid-sized wineries, one recurring challenge stood out: “I get a ton of those emails — people asking to change wines before their club ships.” While it sounds simple, the process is often time-sensitive, rule-bound, and surprisingly manual. Let’s break down why these requests are so challenging — and how WineSpot’s new Commerce7-powered workflow makes the entire experience smoother for both staff and members. The Real Problem: Endless Swap Requests Wine swap requests typically start arriving right after the pre-shipment email goes out — about two weeks before billing. Customers reply via email, call the tasting room, or send text messages, asking to substitute wines in their upcoming releas

This November, growers and agricultural professionals will gather in San Luis Obispo for the 2025 Sustainable Ag Expo, an event designed to foster innovation, provide high-impact education, and create meaningful connections across the wine and agricultural industries. When/Where: Kick-Off Event - Monday, November 10, 5:00-7:00 pm  |  at Center of Effort Winery Trade Show & Seminars - Tuesday, November 11 & Wednesday, November 12, 7:00 am-5:00 pm  |  at Madonna Expo Center What to Expect The 2025 program offers a robust lineup of content focused on critical topics like climate resilience, automation, and workforce development, with 17 in-person seminars offering 20+ hours of CE credit. Two-day ticket holders also receive access to 13 online courses with an additional 10+ CE hours available from October 13–November 28. Even More Opportunities to Connect and Learn Kick-Off Event: The event begins with a special Monday Night Kick-Off hosted at Cen