Wine Sales Symposium 2025’s roundtable of writers and PR experts explores how storytelling and publicity can shift the narrative. By Laurie Wachter Carl GiavantiDoes media coverage really help sell wine?  That’s the question the roundtable of top wine journalists and PR experts will set out to answer in Mastering Modern Media: How to Secure & Leverage Media Coverage That Drives Sales, one of the first sessions at the May 14th Wine Sales Symposium in Santa Rosa, CA. Moderator Carl Giavanti, a winery publicist and author of Wine Industry Advisor’s interview series, Turning the Tables, will lead the panel discussion by asking six questions about the benefits and pitfalls of media coverage.   What role does media coverage play in helping drive awareness and, ultimately, sales? “It’s always been about storytelling,” says Giavanti, “and even more so today when there’s so much competition, variety and options for adult beverages. Y

In this episode, George sits down with Dr. Liz Thach, MW, President of Wine Market Council where she shares her incredible journey through the world of wine and education. From her adventurous upbringing, including writing a children’s book inspired by her father’s crane research, to her groundbreaking achievement as the first woman in California to earn the Master of Wine title, Liz’s story is one of passion and perseverance. She reflects on her transition from the corporate world to teaching at Sonoma State University and her love of exploring regional wine cultures while traveling the U.S. and abroad. Tune in to hear how Liz’s dedication to education, innovation, and listening to life’s opportunities has shaped her remarkable career in wine.

Pairing Wine with Multicultural Cuisine:  J Winery’s ‘Shifting the Lens’ Program Is Breaking Old Paradigms

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW Chef Rashida Holmes grew up enjoying the delicious Afro-Caribbean soul food recipes passed down by her mother and grandmother from

Afternoon Brief: How TikTok Could Transform the Wine Industry

Within hours of TikTok announcing that it would allow alcohol advertising in North America, alcohol companies began running recruitment ads for TikTok specialists. Whats surprising is how few wine companies joined in...

Wine Market Council Punches Up: IDs Challenges, Focuses on Opportunities

Now is the time for bold action and new ideas. By Alexandra Russell Wine Market Council gathered members yesterday for its first in-person Research Conference in five years. President Liz […]

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