Wine Sales Symposium 2025’s roundtable of writers and PR experts explores how storytelling and publicity can shift the narrative. By Laurie Wachter Carl GiavantiDoes media coverage really help sell wine?  That’s the question the roundtable of top wine journalists and PR experts will set out to answer in Mastering Modern Media: How to Secure & Leverage Media Coverage That Drives Sales, one of the first sessions at the May 14th Wine Sales Symposium in Santa Rosa, CA. Moderator Carl Giavanti, a winery publicist and author of Wine Industry Advisor’s interview series, Turning the Tables, will lead the panel discussion by asking six questions about the benefits and pitfalls of media coverage.   What role does media coverage play in helping drive awareness and, ultimately, sales? “It’s always been about storytelling,” says Giavanti, “and even more so today when there’s so much competition, variety and options for adult beverages. Y

In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George sits down with the multi-talented and ever-inspiring Deborah Parker Wong — journalist, educator, speaker, wine judge, and newly minted sensory scientist. Deborah shares her remarkable journey from fashion and tech PR to becoming a key voice in the wine industry. She opens up about what drives her work, why she went back to school for her master’s in enology and viticulture, and how she’s connecting Gen Z students to wine through creative, research-driven teaching. Watch now and be inspired by one of the most dynamic voices in the wine world.

Biogenic Amine Toxicity: A Reality for Histamine-Sensitive Consumers

What are biogenic amines and why can they be a problem? By Deborah Parker Wong Most informed wine consumers have accepted the fact that sulfur isn’t the root cause of […]

Navigating the Sustainability Landscape: Which Certifications Matter?

As the labyrinth of wine industry certifications continues to expand, consumers often find themselves without a compass. By Deborah Parker Wong   Nearly half of American adult drinkers of beverage […]

Afternoon Brief, September 8th

One of California’s Most Influential Modern Wineries, Dirty & Rowdy, Is Ending After 11 Years: One of California’s most cutting-edge wine brands is dissolving. Napa’s Dirty & Rowdy Wine Co., which has developed a devoted following for its experimental, genre-defying Mourvedres, is shutting down after 11 years...