Reimagining Vineyards. Revitalizing Revenue. Reconnecting with Community.  For over 40 years, Allen Land Design has helped shape the beauty and function of Northern California’s iconic wine country. We’ve built bocce courts, tasting patios, and elegant garden  landscapes. But today, every winery has these—and still, many are struggling.  It’s time for something new.  Introducing: “Beyond the Vines” – A New Vision for Wine Country  We are partnering with forward-thinking wineries ready to transform unused or underperforming vineyard blocks (5–25 acres) into innovative, revenue-generating, and community-driven destinations.  Instead of competing with 5–7 tastings in a day, offer your guests a 2–3 hour immersive experience that blends agriculture, art, technology, food, and connection.  What’s Growing Next? (Hint: It’s not just grapes)  Before the grape boom, Sonoma and Napa counties grew:  • Grains (wheat, barley) – Perfect for

In California, water scarcity is an ever-growing concern, and as droughts become more frequent, it’s vital that our landscapes adapt. At Allen Land Design, we’re passionate about creating outdoor spaces that not only look beautiful but are also resilient and sustainable. When designing landscapes for wine country or any drought-prone region, the goal is to choose plants, materials, and techniques that conserve water while enhancing the beauty and functionality of the space. Xeriscaping—the practice of using drought-tolerant plants and water-efficient design—is the cornerstone of sustainable landscaping. Plants like lavender, succulents, and ornamental grasses are perfect for the dry conditions of Sonoma County, adding texture, color, and movement without relying on excessive water. One of our favorites, the California native sage, is not only stunning with its silvery leaves but is also a magnet for pollinators, helping support local wildlife. Beyond plant

An international agricultural event at the Parc des Expositions in Angers The year 2025 got off to a flying start with a trip to Angers to participate for the first time in the SIVAL trade fair, which took place from January 14 to 16. An international agricultural event where professionals come to meet companies from across the plant sector and discover their innovations. A trade fair that represents the entire plant industry In a few figures, the SIVAL show is: 710 exhibitors 55 countries represented 25,000 professional visitors  But all facets of the plant sector are also represented: Viticulture Viniculture Arboriculture Horticulture and nurseries Seeds and plants Cider production PPAM (Aromatic and Medicinal Perfume Plants) etc  A successful participation for our team Indeed, this show allowed us to take the time to interact with our French partners and clients in the Loire Valley. The discussions piqued the curiosity of some of the region's winegrow

The word that will dominate supply chain conversations in 2025 (and possibly the next four to eight years) will be “tariffs”. It is no longer a market-by-market theme. Instead, due to the US administration’s “Liberation Day” on April 2 – intended to remedy trade deficiencies, increase US manufacturing advantages, and tighten down on weaknesses in trade policies from the country’s top trading partners – the world is upended as it relates to global commerce. Liberation Day saw the unveiling of 10% universal global tariffs and reciprocal tariffs for specific countries ranging from 11% to 50%. The US has not imposed tariffs to this degree in over 75 years, and the proposed increases emulated the protectionist policies of 1922 and 1930, which had a dramatic effect on the US economy. Effective April 10, those countries which had received country-specific rates greater than 10% – such as the EU (20%), Vietnam (46%) and South Africa (30%)

Yandell Companies announces that Rick Moradian has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Moradian is a global supply chain executive, with 30+ years of leadership expertise in domestic and international transportation, warehousing, e-commerce, and fulfillment services.   Most recently, Mr. Moradian was the CEO of Unity Express Logistics, a time and temperature critical last-mile delivery company specializing in the pharmaceutical, medicine, and e-commerce sectors, and Wineshipping, the leading provider of direct-to-consumer fulfillment services to the wine industry. In addition, Mr. Moradian served as the CEO of Fleetgistics, the CEO of ServiceCraft Logistics, and the President of APL Logistics for Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.  Mr. Moradian has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Oxford University. “As the CEO of Yandell Companies, I am delighted to lead its distinctive structure and culture,” s

Dr. Laura Catena, a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, medical doctor and graduate of Stanford Medical School, will navigate the complex relationship between wine consumption and health in our next Pro Virtual Event, Monday, September 30, at Noon Central on Zoom. Dr. Catena is the Managing Director of Bodega Catena Zapata and Luca Winery. During the past 25 years, she has been a practicing part-time physician of Emergency Medicine in San Francisco. Her discussion will cover the pending update of the US dietary guidelines for alcohol against the backdrop of a recent WHO statement that 'no amount of alcohol is safe.’  Drawing on her extensive background in both medicine and winemaking, Dr. Catena will critically examine the WHO's claim, emphasizing the importance of moderation and the cultural aspects of wine drinking.  Join us for this nuanced, research-based exploration of alcohol's effects on health which advocates for informed individual decision-making

Death, taxes, and wildfires are some of the earth’s events that are difficult to control and generally inevitable. With recent fires along the West Coast, down through South America and Australia, and even throughout Spain and Portugal, many of the globes most prized wine regions have been affected. Exposing grapes to smoke can result in wines that develop unfavorable sensory profiles. Compounds in the smoke bind with the grapes and usually lead to characteristics that are described as burnt, smokey, bacon-like, medicinal, and ashy. But if this does occur, all may not be lost! Researchers suggest several options to minimize the effect of smoke taint, including the addition of barrels, wood adjuncts, and tannins. Science has shown that increasing wines’ complexity can reduce and even refine the unexpected profiles brought on by smoke. Brewers and distillers have long been capitalizing on the unrivaled flavors pulled from fresh used barrels sourced from all cor

Brettanomyces yeasts are responsible for contamination of wines, giving them "phenolous" aromas. These aromas manifest themselves through animal odors such as leather, sweat or stable, as well as medicinal notes such as camphor. Proliferation of Brettanomyces is favored in low-acidic (high pH) mediums, with high alcohol content and low-protected by sulfur dioxide (SO2) Brettanomyces contamination may also be promoted by a phenolic acid must or wine, poor hygiene, residual sugar presence due to difficult fermentation, and barrel aging associated with insufficient barrel disinfection. Tired LAFFORT®, OENOBRETT® and OENOBREtt® ORG products help weaken membranes and disrupt cell space. The decrease in the populations of Brettanomyces yeast is significant and helps prevent alterations. To learn more about your microbiological stabilisation, find our products on our website: https://laffort.com/gammes/stabilisation/

The birthday was celebrated in the presence of the company's partners, customers, and employees. "Working hard for something you don't care about is called stress. Working hard for something you love is called passion. I wish everyone could see meaning in their work, because it turns stress into passion." Said the CEO of the company, Zahari Zahariev. HERTI AD was established in 1993 with one machine producing two sizes of aluminum caps. Over the years, the company has grown its operations, increasing the types, volumes, and capacities of the caps, as well as the customer base and markets to which it supplies its products. Today, HERTI produces annually 2 billion products, which are used to close almost all existing types of bottles on the market of alcoholic beverages, wine, mineral waters, olive oil, and medicines. It has customers in over 60 countries on all continents and has subsidiaries in Romania, Great Britain, France, Germany, and the USA. Over the years, the

Medici Ermete Presents Certified Organic Lambrusco “Concerto” and Launches Generation 2031 Campaign

The winery invests in sustainability with a series of green initiatives over the next ten years Reggio Emilia, November 18, 2021 – The 130-year-old Italian winery Medici Ermete presents its first vintage of certified organic Concerto Reggiano Lambrusco DOC, marking the beginning of the winery’s “Generation 2031” campaign that represents a commitment to environmental, ethical-social, and economic sustainability. […]