Some markets active amid persistent global weakness Three bulk wine markets – France, Italy and Chile – entered November having experienced good activity levels through October. “Activity” is the key word: sample requests and price discussions have constituted most of the activity in southern France; actual transactions have been limited. Likewise, a steady stream of enquiries into Chile’s remaining 2025-vintage supplies, and its prospects for 2026, have outnumbered transactions. But there have been good transaction levels in Italy, as it has become clear all of Europe’s three major harvests came in short of their five-year averages. This month’s Global Market Report provides information on what Italian wines transactions have been occurring, which 2025 wines are being released early to bridge a supply gap, and what 2025-vintage stocks Chile still possesses. The latest prices on all these items, as well as France’s new 2025-vintage prici

Walk into any cellar this season and you’ll see barrels in every stage of life — new, neutral, recoopered, or quietly leaking in the corner. The challenge isn’t just keeping up with what you have; it’s knowing which barrels are still earning their place. In a softer market, where margins are thin and cellar space is tight, every barrel decision carries more financial weight than it used to. Replacing by habit no longer makes sense. Instead, wineries are learning to treat barrels like what they really are — long-term assets that deserve the same attention and strategy as any other part of production. The Barrel ROI Framework: Knowing When It’s Time Every barrel has a life cycle — and like any asset, there’s a point where the cost of keeping it outweighs its return. Instead of guessing, wineries can look at the decision through a simple ROI equation: Barrel ROI = (Years in Use × Oak Value) – Maintenance Cost – Risk of Loss

If you’ve been in the wine business long enough, you know the rhythm of harvest tends to repeat itself — until it doesn’t. A Changing Vineyard and Cellar Landscape This year, growers and winemakers across California are still navigating tough choices. With less demand and smaller contracts, some fruit is being left on the vine or sold off early, and many wineries are cutting back crush volumes simply because cellar space and cash flow are tight. Others are consolidating vineyard blocks, farming for vine health instead of yield, or pausing replanting until the market finds its balance. Inside the cellar, the picture isn’t much different. Tanks are full, case sales are slower, and every square foot of storage matters. As a result, more wineries are stretching existing barrel inventory another season, delaying new oak purchases, and relying on recoopered and used barrels to stay flexible without adding unnecessary costs. And the pattern reaches well beyond Californ

For decades, wine and spirits inventory at wholesalers followed a model of large first orders. Makers shipped big quantities to distributors, who stocked them in massive warehouses and waited for orders to roll in. Today, that model is mostly gone—unless you’re part of the top ~20% of Makers doing tens of millions in annual sales under contract. Few Makers reach that level, and contracts of that size are rare. So why aren’t large inventory purchases common any more? What’s Changed Here are a few of the major reasons: The Cost of Money - Wholesalers typically carry inventory financed via lines of credit or similar instruments, and are paid back when accounts pay. Interest rates now are much higher than a few years ago, so carrying inventory (i.e. borrowing money to finance it) is more expensive. Excess Inventory Already in the System - There is a large glut of wine and spirits sitting in warehouses across the country. Distributors and wholesalers are

Second-Year Sponsorship Highlights American Wine Industry’s Economic Impact and Community Building Mission  WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, announced today its proud sponsorship of the 2025 Come Over October Congressional Wine Caucus press conference and reception, taking place on October 8th in Washington, D.C. This marks the second consecutive year WineAmerica has supported this important invitation-only industry event, demonstrating the organization’s continued commitment to fostering bipartisan support for America’s burgeoning wine industry.  The reception will showcase wines from across many states, celebrating the breadth, diversity and quality of American wine production from coast to coast. This comprehensive representation underscores the truly national scope of the American wine industry, which now includes 10,637 wine producers operating in every state. Economic Powerhouse Supporting American Communities WineAmerica&r

For vineyard owners, harvest season brings both excitement and anxiety. As grapes ripen and sugar levels climb, they become an irresistible target for birds, deer, raccoons, and other hungry visitors. A single flock of starlings or a few persistent deer can cause significant crop loss — not just in volume, but in quality. For growers working tirelessly all season long, these setbacks can be devastating. That’s why more and more vineyards are turning to physical deterrents like netting — a simple yet powerful solution that protects the fruit without compromising the vineyard’s aesthetic or farming practices. At Trident Fence, we’ve worked with growers across the country to provide vineyard netting that’s durable, easy to install, and incredibly effective. Whether you operate a boutique winery or manage acres of vines across varied terrain, netting may be the smartest step you take toward a more secure and profitable harvest. Why Netting Works fo

If you employ full-time staff, seasonal crews, or part-time help in Oregon’s wine industry, there’s a new law that could change how you approach labor planning and workplace disputes—especially during your busiest seasons. Oregon Senate Bill 916 (SB 916) makes Oregon the first state in the country to offer unemployment insurance (UI) benefits to both public and private sector employees who are engaged in a labor strike. Why Provide Unemployment Benefits to a Striking Workforce? Lawmakers behind the bill say it’s about fairness. Their argument is that workers who are lawfully on strike shouldn’t be forced to choose between standing up for better conditions and being able to pay their bills. They point out that most strikes in Oregon don’t last long—about eight or nine weeks on average—and believe a short-term safety net could lead to more productive negotiations. But not everyone agrees. Many employers, especially in agriculture and manufa

Why Delaying Your Purchase Could Cost You More Than You Think In today’s unpredictable economic climate, industries from agriculture to data centers and hospitals to municipalities face rising costs and shrinking timelines. If you’re considering purchasing a steel water storage tank, the time to act is now. National Storage Tank is here to break down the top 10 reasons why buying your steel tank today is smart and, in some cases, essential. Here are 10 reasons why buying your steel tank today 1. Rising and Unpredictable Tariffs on Steel Imports Tariffs on imported steel fluctuate, often rising without warning due to trade negotiations, global policy shifts, and protectionist economic measures. These tariffs directly increase the cost of steel, affecting all steel-related applications like Water and other liquid storage tanks. Locking in your tank price today protects you from the next price hike and is one of the surest ways to stay even close to budget on some projects.

This month’s Global Report marks the 100th issue under my editorship. I wrote the introduction to my first issue, July 2016, just days after the Brexit referendum in my native country. Four months later, Donald Trump was elected president of the US for the first time. “Trump and Brexit: we live in interesting times,” I wrote in November 2016, and of course the interesting times were just getting started. Tariff wars; a global pandemic; war in the Ukraine. Wine consumption surged in some markets during COVID-19, then fell back, in some instances to below pre-pandemic levels. The Chinese demand bubble deflated, exposing a declining sales trend in developed markets that had been ongoing since the 2007-08 global financial crisis, so that the International Organisation of Vine & Wine estimated that worldwide wine consumption in 2023 was at 1996 levels. Hectarage consequently had to contract, and has done so, most notably in France, California, Chile and Australia. The

As a business owner in California, being cost-efficient and improving your bottom line is always important. Alternative energy sources, such as solar energy, have been popular among various types of businesses across the country. Is it the right choice for your company? Let Westcoast Solar Energy, a leading commercial solar company in CA, help you decide. Saving With Solar California has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. A commercial solar system from Westcoast Solar Energy can reduce your reliance on the grid, leading to significant savings on your monthly energy bills. These devices are also incredible investments: solar panels require minimal maintenance, unlike traditional HVAC systems, and make structures more attractive to potential buyers, tenants, and investors. The state also offers a variety of financial incentives for businesses that go solar.  These include tax credits, rebates, and accelerated depreciation.  Westcoast Solar Energy can help you