Market slow; older stocks skew availability picture In this month’s Global Market Report, all countries are united in reporting the symptoms of an industry entering the fourth year of a challenging environment: late loadings, late payments, cashflow shortages, and vineyard removals. Already gathering momentum is a belief that 2026 will be another “transitional” year before market stability finally arrives, hopefully in 2027. But many wine industry operators are running out of time for things to improve. On the supply side, strides have been made over the past two years, assisted by shorter winegrape crops across the world: thanks to a combination of Mother Nature and human hand, global production in 2024 was estimated to have been the lowest since 1961, and 2025 production registered only a slight uptick. A significant challenge is the “polluting echo” of older inventory, which gives buyers a skewed perception of abundance. Current or recent-vintage suppl

Design Your Own Custom AI Concierge for FREE Affordable pricing starts @ $69/mo Websites, not tasting rooms, are the first point of contact for most consumer journeys.  Still, too many merchants greet website visitors with pretty pictures and pushy pleas to share personal contact info before they’re welcomed with any semblance of hospitality. That’s why VinterActive created an AI Winery Concierge -- a multi-channel chatbot -- trained in the art and science of delivering attentive, personalized customer service 24/7. Why Add an Affordable AI Concierge to Your Team? KEY BUSINESS BENEFITS KEY MARKETING FEATURES Helps guests 24/7  Boosts wine sales Saves time & money Drives engagement Improves customer service Frees up small marketing teams to accomplish more Fully customized personas Detailed brand training Self-learning mode Compliance aware Asks for feedback Multichannel/multilingual: chatbot, standalone, mobile app, Shopify, SMS, email, In

With the hype surrounding AI, it’s hard to know what news matters to today’s DTC wine marketers. I suspect most of us tried using AI for content creation a couple of years ago.   But what has AI done for wine marketers lately, besides confusing us with too many models and few pragmatic uses? The good news is that, amid the usual noise about AI condemning us to a life of misery, the last few months have provided wine merchants with a new generation of valuable survival tools in the form of powerful AI Agents. What the Heck is an “AI Agent?” Leading business productivity tools – including Salesforce, OpenAI, JotForm, and Zapier – now offer their unique interpretations of “AI Agents” that can amplify the results of any sales or marketing team. Intriguing use cases in the wine industry include AI-powered sommeliers, social media assistants, DTC marketing management, and public-facing chatbots, all of which are empowered to represent your

The wine industry is steeped in tradition, but let’s be real—it’s time to shake things up. Younger demographics aren’t buying into the same old wine marketing tricks or outdated experiences. Want to grab their attention (and their dollars)? Then it’s time to think bold, fun, and modern. You Don’t Have to Do It All—Start Small and Stay True to Your Brand Attracting younger wine lovers doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything or abandon your roots. Instead, consider making a few strategic shifts that align with your brand. Maybe your website keeps the traditional tasting notes, but you have fun with social media. Maybe your weekends are reserved for 21+ reservation-only tastings, but your weekdays are more relaxed and family-friendly. The key is finding what works for you and your audience. Now, let’s dive into some ideas. 1. Flex Your Wine Club Options Your wine club isn’t working for everyone. Sure, your loyal members lov

DEADLINE EXTENDED! We had a baby last week! That kinda messed up my schedule, so we decided to extend the deadline for this awesome giveaway while I catch up on sleep work! - Matt  We've partnered with Honeycomb Credit to give one lucky winner a $2,500 BarrelsDirect.com Shopping Spree! For more info on the giveaway and Honeycomb Credit, visit their website.    "But I never win anything"  - Probably someone   All eligible† entrants will receive a 10% off* coupon for BarrelsDirect.com!  *Coupon value 10% off up to $100 total discount †US only. If you're not in the US and feel left out, email us for a special gift ENTER TO WIN Banking on winning? Check out these FRESH bourbon offerings! Shop the latest barrels

ProWein is a leading international trade fair for wine and spirits that have taken place in Dusseldorf, Germany, every March since 1994. The trade fair is organized by Messe Dusseldorf, which, together with ProWein, follows the concept of providing an international overview of the wine. During the three days, large and small wine producers worldwide allow guests and visitors to touch the world of wine through tasting, presentations, and meetings. ProWein offers the ideal platform for professional networking – from special performances, workshops, and masterclasses to inspiration and innovation discovery. At ProWein, you will find all this perfectly organized in one place! From the 19th till the 21st of March 2023, wine professionals and connoisseurs will meet again in the Fair City to exchange experiences and ideas. This year Herti will welcome its guests at booth D51 in Hall 5 and, as usual, will present its products to the international market. We are expecting you!

Expert Editorial: Does Meta Matter Anymore? What to Make of the Online Advertising Crash

Let’s fact-check some of the claims being thrown around for the current social media advertising crisis. By Susan DeMatei   As 2023 planning kicks into high gear, one question frequently […]

What To Make Of The Online Advertising Crash. As we’re planning with our clients for 2023, one question frequently popping up is the viability of Meta (the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, What’s App, and Messenger) and Google as advertising platforms. We understand the scrutiny, as 2022 has not been kind to the tech sector. The stock market saw seven years of gains erased in 10 months this year. The headlines are brutal, calling Meta a “risk,” a “loser,” or in what CNBC named a “death spiral.” Every other day there is news of another large marketer pulling out of the platform. Meta’s meltdown is shocking but not singular. Google is down 40% this year, Amazon 45%, and Snap 80%. Add the absolute insanity with Twitter, and even the boldest marketer is wondering how much budget to attach to social media in 2023. We must break down the causes of these market shifts to answer those questions and apply them to the wine business.

NAPA, CA – August 16, 2022 – WineGlass Marketing announced today that it had been honored as one of the Best in the Food & Drink Website or Mobile Site category in the 26th Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video; Advertising, Media and PR; Apps & Software, Social; Podcasts; Games and Virtual & Remote. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received more than 14,300 entries from all 50 states and 70 countries worldwide in the 2022 competition. The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS) presents the Webby Awards. “Honorees like WineGlass Marketing are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said Claire Graves, President of The Webby Awards. “It is an incredible achievement to be selected among