Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir Takes Top Prize  November 18, 2025 — Winners have been announced in the 2025 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition. After two spirited days of judging, Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir took the top prize. It was also awarded Best of Show Red Wine and Best of Monterey County AVA. Coming in at 98 points, judges praised the wine as “warm and spicy” with “fig and nutmeg.” Other descriptors included “meaty,” “prosciutto,” and “dried rose petal.”  With entries from across the globe, the Harvest Challenge bases judging on a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions and grapes that combine to give personality to the wine.  In other competitions, this terroir is ignored. At the Harvest Challen

Oregon Winemakers! Are you looking for practical ways to reduce SOâ‚‚ in your winemaking process? Join us for a FREE seminar hosted by ATPGroup and Fermentis, where we’ll share effective strategies to minimize SOâ‚‚ use and production from harvest to bottling. What We’ll Cover: SOâ‚‚ Basics: Why it matters and how less can be more Cleaner, Greener Winemaking: How reducing SOâ‚‚ helps your wine and the planet Bioprotection & Yeast Choices: Natural ways to keep spoilage in check Fermentation Hacks: Nutrition, temps, and tricks to cut SOâ‚‚ Tannins & Chitosan: Protect and stabilize your wine Selective Fining: Taming oxidation like a pro Step-by-Step Protocols: Practical tips from harvest to bottling We’re hosting two sessions — in Newberg and McMinnville—pick the one that works best for you:   NEWBERG: Location: Crush 2 Cellar  Address: 214 W Hancock St, Newberg, OR Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM RSVP here:&

Afternoon Brief: September 5

e Napa Wineries Sue Napa County in Federal Court: After years of their concerns falling on deaf ears, three Napa wineries have joined forces to sue Napa County in federal court to address longstanding violations of constitutional rights. The participating wineries are Summit Lake Vineyard, Smith-Madrone Winery, and Hoopes Vineyard...

BEST PRACTICES FOR EVENT BRANDING AND PLANNING In her highly acclaimed bestselling book, “The Art of Gathering,” Priya Parker argues that while the gatherings in our lives tend to be lackluster and unproductive, they don’t have to be. Widely known as the voice of what it means to gather in this world today, Parker and her book have become mandatory reading for business professionals seeking to excel in making meaningful, memorable engagement. One of Julie Lewis’ favorite quotes in the book reads, “Ninety percent of what makes a gathering successful is put in place beforehand.” It is a quote the U.S. Tradeshow and Events Manager for CooperVision revisits often. “This is the iceberg of the event world—90 percent of the work has happened, so you see the majestic 10 percent above the surface. That 90 percent has to happen. The other 10 percent has to be flawless, and look effortless and elegant.” Collaborate, get insight and guidance, a

The Wine Business Institute (WBI) at Sonoma State University (SSU) announced the 2023-2024 scholarship recipients of the Wine Industry Scholars Program (WISP) and the Wine Business Institute Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program February 26. Recipients are recognized for having outstanding commitment to advancing their knowledge and expertise in the wine business. The Wine Industry Scholars Program (WISP) supports the access, retention, and graduation of students who are first-generation college students and children of families working in the wine industry. WISP awards approximately $150,000 in scholarships annually. The Wine Business Institute Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Program aims to foster a more diverse and inclusive wine industry by supporting a broad range of scholars, including women, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds and those requiring financial support for their education. “This year’s recipients went through a rigorous sel

Afternoon Brief, February 8th

Napa County Puts Hoopes Winery Leader in Witness Stand: Napa County's attorneys put Lindsay Hoopes of Hoopes Family Vineyard in the witness stand to question her about alleged winery rule violations...

Napa Valley’s Lewis Cellars Launches Community Grants Program 

Winery to Award $175,000 in Local Grants to Provide Non-Profits, Youth Programs, Social Services, and Community Initiatives  NAPA, Calif. – February 8, 2024 – Today, Lewis Cellars announced the launch of […]