NAPA, Calif., (Nov. 26, 2025) – VA Filtration Services’ Scientific Approach, Innovative Solutions from Napa Valley At VA Filtration Services, our mission is to empower winemakers to produce wines of the highest sensory quality. One of the challenges in modern winemaking is managing undesirable levels of pyrazines, particularly methoxypyrazines, which can impart green, herbaceous aromas that mask fruit character and complexity. Winemakers are left with two options: cover up the pyrazine (and potentially other attributes) or remove it through advances in pyrazine remediation practices. The Problem: Pyrazines in Wine Methoxypyrazines are naturally occurring compounds in certain grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. While subtle concentrations can add a sought-after freshness, excessive amounts lead to pronounced bell pepper and grassy notes, often perceived as faults—especially in premium reds. Often pyrazines present in wine due to enviro

Let me introduce amaea, the latest addition to VA Filtration’s suite of services. amaea is an award-winning, molecular filtration technology known for its unrivalled selectivity - allowing winemakers to enhance product quality while preserving the integrity of their wines. Using molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP), amaea targets and removes undesired molecules, without the need for fining agents, masking or excessive stripping. The result? Refined and more balanced wines. Why winemakers are choosing amaea: Precise removal of unwanted compounds – from balancing bitterness to remediating smoke impacts and pyrazines Preserves varietal character and body Reduces waste by replacing single-use fining agents Saves time with rapid, real-time results Tailored solutions to achieve desired sensory outcomes We are currently offering in-house bench trials, where my team is available to demonstrate how this breakthrough technology can benefit your winery. Contact our team to book your

2 December 2024 – Californian wineries are set to gain access to an award-winning molecular filtration technology with industry specialists, VA Filtration announcing their latest partnership with amaea. amaea’s technology has been uniquely designed to selectively capture target molecules from wine using a filtration process. This innovative method gives winemakers the ability to balance and remediate wine with newfound ease and precision. Bryan Tudhope, Owner and Founder of VA Filtration said: “We are proud to partner with amaea to bring their ground-breaking technology to market. The selectivity and speed of the solution aligns with our focus to improve quality and add value. This makes it the perfect addition to our service portfolio.” Jonathan Engle, Wine Industry Lead at amaea said: “amaea’s technology is powerful because of its unique, first-of-its-kind molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Each MIP is a tiny, reusable bead imprinted with a sp

Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2023: Warren Winiarski — Viticulturist, Preservationist, Philanthropist

By Laura Ness   It’s hard to imagine what the wine world would be like if not for Warren Winiarski, the visionary who saw something special in an old prune […]

Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2023: Terry Wheatley — Cowgirl Grit & Wine Sisterhood

By Laura Ness   You have to admire the gumption of a newly married, fresh out of college woman, who tells her rodeo cowboy husband as he’s leaving on yet […]

Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2023: Elizabeth “E” Slater – Wine Marketing Master Extraordinaire

By Elizabeth Hans McCrone A plethora of adjectives have been used to describe Elizabeth “E” Slater, owner of In-Short Direct Marketing, a premier, coast-to-coast, wine industry consulting business: inspiring; dynamic; […]

Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2023: Bob Mazza — Raising the Profile of Pennsylvania Wine Since 1972

By Paul Vigna   Bob Mazza has been behind the wheel of his family’s namesake winery in northwest Pennsylvania since 1972. And you’ll find that driving is an appropriate metaphor […]

Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2023: Tom Gamble — Embracing and Enhancing Napa Valley’s Biodiversity

By Laurie Wachter   Tom Gamble’s driving passion is to ensure Napa County’s biodiversity endures for generations. His experimental lab is Gamble Family Vineyards, where he’s the third generation to […]

Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2023: Susana Cueva Drumwright — Mentoring Disadvantaged Students Through Stanford University

By Elizabeth Hans McCrone Vida Valiente. In English, it translates to Valiant Life. According to Susana Cueva Drumwright, co-founder of Vida Valiente Estate and its corresponding Vida Valiente Foundation, the […]

Submit your nomination for the wine industry’s Most Inspiring People.  Today is the first day to submit nominations for Wine Industry Advisor’s annual Most Inspiring People Awards.  In 2018, Wine Industry Advisor (WIA) began recognizing 10 inspiring people from our industry each year. The wine industry is extremely fortunate to have many exceptional people among its ranks, and this recognition is a way to highlight them and encourage and inspire future generations. Nominees can be from any sector of the wine trade, including growers and winemakers, writers and sommeliers, publicists and attorneys, all the way up to managers and CEOs. Many of these leaders are home grown from various wine regions and others have brought their passion and ingenuity from other industries. Nominate the one person you think is making a positive influence in wine and beyond.  See our 2022 MIP award winners.  WIA nominations are open to the industry in an effort to find