The “Magic of Wine" is many things–farming, art & science, poetry, toasts, tastes, friendship, and much else—but first and foremost, it’s the people behind all those things and the passion they bring. “The product is a pleasure, but the people are the treasure.” We at WineAmerica are proud that the 2024 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards nominees include three people or wineries on our Board of Directors. Jason Haas, nominated for Person of the Year, is a Partner and General Manager at Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, CA. He is well-known and widely respected for combatting inequity and implementing sustainability both in and beyond the vineyard. WineAmerica’s annual fall meeting in November will be held in Paso Robles and will include a special tour of the vineyard as an example of regenerative viticulture. Jason has been an active member of our Board for the past two years. The Vineyards at Dodon in Davidsonville, MD, is co-o

Shutdown Postponed A few days before the November 17 deadline, the House passed a two-step Continuing Resolution that was accepted by the Senate and signed by the President, averting a government shutdown while establishing new deadlines of late January and early February to adopt a new budget—or go through the same fire drill again. That’s a big deal. First, it keeps everything running normally. Second, it means our Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs, Michael Kaiser, won’t have to spend his family holidays prowling Capitol Hill. Third, we can now proceed with a planned legislative wine reception on November 29 with our colleagues and partners at Wine Institute. More things to be thankful for… WineAmerica Fall Retreat: Thank You, and Welcome! Last week WineAmerica held our annual Fall Retreat in the wine country of Traverse City, Michigan, where Board member Marie Chantal-Dalese of Chateau Chantal served as local coordinator and graciou

A Later and Prolonged Harvest Led to Exceptional Quality and Quantity  SANTA ROSA, Calif. (November 20, 2023) – August 24th marked the beginning of another record-breaking harvest in Sonoma County and winegrowers and their vineyard employees finally gathered recently in a local vineyard to discuss the year and the outstanding quality of the harvest. Their comments, both in English and Spanish, are provided below and the harvest roundtable can be viewed here. The year started with a winter and spring filled with above-average rainfall and below-average temperatures that got the growing season off to a slow start, delaying harvest well past the early-August “norm” of the past few drought-impacted years.  A mild spring and summer allowed for ample hang time, enabling the fruit to develop with stunning quality, and a few late-summer heat spikes are thought to have “made the vintage” according to Steve Sangiacomo, Partner at Sangia

Lula Cellars 2020 Rescue Block Pinot Noir Takes Top Honors November 17, 2023 — Winners have been announced in the 2023 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition. After two spirited days of judging, Lula Cellars 2020 Rescue Block Pinot Noir took the top prize. It was also awarded Best Red Wine and Best of Anderson Valley AVA (Mendocino County, Calif.). Coming in at 98 points, judges praised the wine as “rich, ripe” and for its “Bing cherry,” and “hint of orange peel.”  Lula Cellars is a boutique winery located in California’s Anderson Valley. Its focus is on world-class Pinot Noirs both from its estate and across Anderson Valley, as well as other single-vineyard offerings from the greater Mendocino County. When preparing to plant their own vines, Lula owners discovered some-1,000 old vines “literally lying down, as if waiting to be rescued.” Lots of TLC later, these mystery Pinot Noir grapes have thrived. There’s no in

Afternoon Brief, October 17th

As Restaurant Staffing Evolves, Wineries Reassess Their On-Premise Priorities: The union between wineries and restaurants might have been a marriage of convenience in the beginning, but for decades it functioned roughly the way that both parties wanted...

Afternoon Brief, April 20th

Vineyard Worker Killed in Industrial Accident Near San Miguel: Leonides Magallon, 72, reportedly was driving a tractor along Allende Road when the vehicle went off the road and down a hill...

Afternoon Brief, February 27th

Napa Cabs Go Big at Auction: The skies over Napa Valley may have literally been dark on a stormy Saturday, but the outlook for Napa Cabernet Sauvignon has never been brighter after a phenomenal outcome at the Premiere Napa Valley Auction...