Afternoon Brief: Columbia Distributing and Republic National Distributing Company Announce Letter of Intent
Columbia Distributing and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) today announced that they have entered into a non-binding letter of intent outlining proposed terms for Columbia to acquire certain wine and spirits distribution rights in Oregon and Washington...
Afternoon Brief: California’s Wine Grape Acreage Drops in 2025 as Industry Struggles Continues
As the California wine industry currently faces a crisis due to oversupply, weak demand and changing consumer habits, a new report released the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) shows that grape acreage in the state continued to shrink in 2025...
Afternoon Brief: ‘Widespread Devastation’ – Frost Damages Grape Buds Across Multiple Eastern States
Overnight temperatures dropped into the mid-20s from New York down to Virginia. What it means for a lot of wineries is far less fruit to harvest this fall...
Afternoon Brief: Understanding the Wine Drinker of Today
Although the majority (54%) of frequent wine drinkers still drink about the same as usual, 20% of regular wine drinkers said they were drinking less frequently, while 33% of occasional wine drinkers were lowering their consumption...
Afternoon Brief: Forbes Launches Forbes Wine, a New Content Vertical, Wine Club & Shop
The new venture blends trusted content, led by Executive Editor of Forbes Wine, Clive Pursehouse, expert curation and a discovery-driven wine club...
Afternoon Brief: Napa's St. Supéry Acquires Rudd Estate
The purchase includes the brand, inventory and property, including 65 acres total, 47 planted to grapevines. The price was not disclosed...
Afternoon Brief: Family-Owned Sonoma Valley Winery Files for Chapter 11 as Industry Struggles
Robledo Family Winery, a Sonoma Valley producer founded by the children of Mexican vineyard workers, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to federal court records...
Afternoon Brief: Winners Announced for the Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, Clif Family Winery & Farm, Ironstone Vineyards and Hobo Wine Company Named 2026 Awardees...
Afternoon Brief: Wine Institute Opposes Truth in Labeling Bill
In February, California vintners attending Wine Paris were provided with a talking point from the Wine Institute intended to help frame conversations with international partners amid ongoing tariff discussions and broader U.S. trade tensions...
Afternoon Brief: Towards the World's First Dry Molded Fiber Bottle
Success in the London Packaging Week 2025 Innovation Awards was about more than proof of concept for PA Consulting, PulPac, and Diageo. It showed the real potential in fibre-based drinks packaging...