Adapt, Connect, Thrive: Why Sales & Marketing Leaders Can’t Miss this Event In a time when the wine industry is facing headwinds on every front—rising inventories, demographic shifts, changing consumer preferences, and continued economic pressure—many wineries are grappling with how to evolve their approach to sales and marketing. The upcoming Wine Sales Symposium, taking place May 14th at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, was created specifically for wine sales and marketing professionals who are ready to embrace change and seek out the strategies driving real growth in today’s marketplace. Hosted by the Wine Industry Network, this one-day, in-person event brings together top-performing wine brands, leading industry voices, and innovative thinkers for a focused, no-fluff conversation about what’s working—and what’s not—in the business of wine. There are wineries out there that are doing well, but they’re not

Wine fulfillment isn’t just about getting bottles from point A to B—it’s about delivering an exceptional customer experience while keeping costs under control. In this Wine Sales Symposium session, Devin Joshua and Jim silver from WineDirect will break down the key strategies wineries can use to streamline fulfillment, minimize expenses, and enhance customer loyalty. From smart inventory management to optimizing packaging, discover how the right fulfillment approach can drive both efficiency and satisfaction. Join us at the Wine Sales Symposium, May 14 at the Hyatt in Santa Rosa. The Secret to Seamless Wine Fulfillment: How to Reduce Costs While Improving Customer Satisfaction Register with promo code: WINEDIRECT2025 to get $20 off the ticket price Devin Joshua, VP of Fulfillment Sales Devin Joshua is a seasoned wine industry executive and currently serves as Vice President of Fulfillment Sales at WineDirect. With more than 25 years of experience across nearly every t

State of the Industry; The Wine Market and Consumer Are Evolving – So Should You In this data-driven session, Dr. Chris Bitter, Senior Wine and Grape Analyst for Terrain / American AgCredit, will break down the key trends shaping both retail and direct-to-consumer wine sales. He’ll examine the structural headwinds impacting the industry, provide a forward-looking outlook on wine sales, and highlight areas where innovative wineries are still finding growth. Wine consumption is declining, and that trend isn’t likely to reverse anytime soon. But beneath the headlines, there’s a more complex story—one that reveals important nuances, shifting consumer behaviors, and untapped opportunities for wineries willing to evolve. The brands that succeed in this new landscape will be those that understand the challenges, adapt to market realities, and embrace strategic change. This interactive session will also include live polling to establish industry benchmarks, allowi

Afternoon Brief: Harvard Researchers and Leading Statistician Stand up to WHO

Medical researchers, e.g. from Harvard University, disagree with the WHO's advice against drinking any alcohol. And even Tim Stockwell, one of the people most closely associated with that messaging says that the risks from 'low level' drinking are 'tiny'...

Afternoon Brief, May 10th

Two Napa Valley Wine Companies Embroiled in Lawsuit over $120,000 in Grapes: An Atlas Peak vineyard has filed suit in Napa Superior Court, claiming it was stiffed on nearly $120,000 worth of grapes...

The North Bay Business Journal’s Wine Industry Conference is one of the publication’s annual networking events that’s taken place for over two decades. The wine-centric soiree brings in a variety of attendees with wine industry backgrounds, as well as attendees from other general business backgrounds in the North Bay. It acts as a great hub of knowledge and networking for the North Bay Business Journal community, featuring expert keynote speakers and panelists each year. This year’s theme is, “Elevating Your Wine Business through Strategic Succession Effective Distribution and Innovative Marketing.” Joining us at the conference will be Keynote Speaker Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros Winery, presenting: “Strategies for Success — Mentorship, Succession, and Business Continuity Planning for the Future.” To follow, Tahlia Suggs, Marketing Apprentice at Price Family Vineyards & Estates, and Courtney Guntz-Summer, Assistant Direc