When wine, community, and celebration come together, magic happens! For the fourth consecutive year, HipMaps has had the honor of partnering with Out In The Vineyard to design a custom HipMap for Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma Wine Country. A Weekend Worth Mapping Gay Wine Weekend (July 18-20) brings together the LGBTQ+ community for an incredible celebration across the Russian River Valley and Healdsburg. From winemaker dinners and vineyard tours to a twilight T-Dance and drag queen brunch benefit auction, this weekend packs amazing experiences across multiple locations. Why Multi-Venue Events Need More Than a Schedule With so many venues, activities, and timing considerations, attendees need more than just a schedule – they need a visual guide that helps them navigate seamlessly between experiences. The Gay Wine Weekend custom-branded map allows attendees to use the HipMaps interactive app where they: See their real-time location right on the Gay Wine Weekend HipMap so th

Wine Road Elects Six New Board Members, Including New President Infusion of leadership marks one of the largest board transitions in recent years Healdsburg, CA, May 30, 2025 — Wine Road, the premier association of wineries and lodgings in Northern Sonoma County, is pleased to announce the election of six new members to its Board of Directors—one of the largest board transitions in the organization’s recent history. Typically electing just two new members per term, this year’s changes reflect a unique and exciting chapter for Wine Road, bringing fresh perspectives and renewed energy to its mission of promoting Northern Sonoma County as a world-class wine destination. The newly elected board members are: Julie Pedroncelli St. John, President, Pedroncelli Winery As a third-generation member of one of Sonoma County’s iconic Italian winemaking families, Julie brings decades of experience and deep roots in Dry Creek Valley. Pedroncellis have farmed the region s

Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) announces the next installment of the “Why Wine?” campaign, a movement dedicated to celebrating the authentic story of wine. With consumer preferences rapidly evolving and new competition emerging in the marketplace, the campaign focuses on uniting the industry to ensure wine remains an essential part of a modern, healthy lifestyle.  NVV launched the initiative in summer of 2024. To encourage more involvement and the continuation of the campaign, dozens of “Why Wine?” videos were captured at the Premiere Napa Valley wine auction in February. Industry members shared their personal stories and insights about what makes wine so special. These heartfelt videos are now available for viewing on YouTube at the Why Wine Video Playlist. Also attending Premiere Napa Valley was podcaster Ray Fister of Life Between the Vines who asked the question, “Why is wine important?” to guests and winemakers at the event.  The “Wh

Sonoma State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Linda Nowak as Interim Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute (WBI). Nowak, a distinguished educator and respected leader in the field of wine business, returns to the role she held from 2007 to 2010, when she was instrumental in furthering WBI’s reputation as a global leader in wine business education. Nowak’s extensive background in marketing, business administration, and wine education uniquely positions her to lead WBI during a transitional period. She holds a Ph.D. in business administration from Saint Louis University, with a major in marketing and a minor in international business. She earned her MBA from Mercer University and her Bachelor of Science from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Nowak is no stranger to Sonoma State University, having served as a professor of marketing from 1996 to 2010. Her tenure included notable achievements as Executive Director of WB

Gatekeepers of Wine: What They’re Buying and Trends They’re Watching

What’s the best way to capture a buyer’s interest and secure a spot on a supplier portfolio, retail shelf or restaurant wine list? By Melanie Young   With thousands of […]

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg, CA is now hiring a Tasting Salon Ambassador.  As a Tasting Salon Ambassador, you will be the face of Gary Farrell Winery, providing an exceptional customer service experience for all visitors. Click Here to Learn More

February 26th – With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Royden Keeley, the esteemed General Manager of PolarClad (subsidiary of BevZero), who passed away on February 2, 2024 at the age of 58 after a 20-month battle with brain cancer. Royden’s departure has left a profound void in the BevZero family and the industry as a whole. A lifetime Sonoma County resident, Royden was born and raised in Santa Rosa and graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1983. He spent the latter half of his life residing in Windsor. Royden joined PolarClad in 2006 and quickly moved to the position of general manager which he held for over 16 years. Royden was more than a General Manager; he was the cornerstone of the PolarClad success story. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication propelled the company to new heights during his tenure. Under his guidance, PolarClad flourished, emerging as a leader of high-quality tank insulation and mixers within the wine industry. Beyond his professi

Sonoma State University’s (SSU) Wine Business Institute (WBI) announces the launch of A Report on the Wine Industry Today, offering a fresh perspective on the current landscape, the opportunities and the challenges facing wine industry leaders in 2023. Faculty contributors to the inaugural issue include Economics Professors Chong Kim and Rob Eyler along with Wine Business Professor InHaeng Jung. Contributing Board Members include Jay Johnson, President, RNDC West Region at Republic National Distributing Company, Ed Adams, Vice President, Capital Markets Group at American AgCredit and Gary Heck, President & Chairman of Korbel Champagne Cellars. “While this year has been a challenging one for the wine industry, there are bright spots and companies who are exploiting opportunities; our approach is to highlight success,” noted Ray Johnson, Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute. Johnson added, “The length of each issue will be deliberately brief,

Benovia Winery and the Anderson Family Foundation Donate $30,000 to The Gary Sinise Foundation

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (November 28, 2023) – Joe Anderson, Co-Founder & Chairman of Benovia Winery, is pleased to announce that Benovia Winery and The Anderson Family Foundation have donated $30,000 to The […]