Vibes more positive, not yet the hard facts and figures An unseasonably warm start to spring in California has accelerated vine development in the growing areas to a marked extent: This month’s report relays the latest news from the vineyards – and how it may, or may not, affect the bulk wine and grape markets – and delves deep into the California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2025, published last month. The state’s smallest winegrape harvest in 26 years, combined with some improved mood music regarding case-good sales – if lacking hard figures to support it – has helped create a feeling that the wine industry is headed in the right direction. Before the sunlit uplands are reached, however, more painful rightsizing must occur, and we continue to see vineyards removed and mothballed, crush and storage capacity taken offline, and companies shrinking, merging, or shuttering altogether. In the shorter te

Spending a weekend sipping superb wines while savoring the perfect food pairing sounds like heaven. Add in breathtaking scenery and the relaxing ambiance of Sonoma County’s Wine Country, and now you have paradise perfected! This magical wine and food weekend becomes reality on November 1st and 2nd as the Wine Road hosts the 27th annual Wine & Food Affair. A Sneak Peek at the Food Pairings With 50 wineries to select from, there are too many food pairings to list, so here are just a few highlights. If you love Italian-based comfort food, check out: Mushroom and Winter Squash Risotto at Pedroncelli Winery Lobster Ravioli with Vodka Sauce at Pech Merle Winery Tatiana’s Famous Lasagna at Colagrossi Wines If you’d rather pair Mexican, French or Cajun with delicious wines, here are some options: Roger’s Colorado Pork Green Chili at J. Cage Cellars Creamy Mushroom Chicken Facon Grand Mère at GC Lurton Vineyards Alison’s Jambalaya at Mat

Afternoon Brief: Wine Market Council Tackles Domestic Wine Industry's Current Setbacks

This past April 2 at the 2025 Wine Market Council (WMC) Annual Research Conference and Members Meeting, held in the City of Napa, there were some illuminating discussions on the overall state of the American wine industry...

It’s not about you; it’s about them. It’s happening. We can’t stop it. Dry January—a month-long challenge to reset drinking habits—has become a global trend. Initiated as a time for people to reflect on their relationship with alcohol, create healthier routines, and begin the year with mindfulness at the forefront, it can be a challenging time in an industry relying on consumption, with many consumers stepping back from wine and spirits entirely. But here’s the thing—Dry January doesn’t have to be a buzzkill. In fact, it’s a golden opportunity to connect with your audience in new, fresh, and meaningful ways While the idea of a booze-free month sounds noble, reality often paints a different picture. According to CivicScience, about 41% of adults in the U.S. planned to participate in Dry January in 2023. The reality is 16% managed to do so all month. For wineries, this isn’t bad news—it’s a window of opportu

Over the past few years, wineries have seen tasting room visits decline as consumer habits shift. With more options than ever, visitors are looking for something special—experiences that go beyond just sampling wine. For many wineries, this means rethinking how they engage guests and creating a place people want to come back to. This guide dives into fresh ideas to help your winery stand out, turning it into a destination where visitors feel welcome, excited, and connected to what you offer. Create Unique, Social Experiences In today’s market, wineries that stand out provide more than just a tasting—they create memorable, shareable experiences that make guests want to stay longer and come back. Enhancing the Atmosphere with Music: Music adds energy and can make an ordinary tasting feel like an event. Hosting live music, whether it’s a local band or acoustic performer, brings people together and keeps them engaged. Many wineries schedule music on weekends to attr

Following a pleasant May and early June, much of California began experiencing a record heat spell in late June through the first half of July. The prolonged heat may potentially have slowed sugar accumulation and slightly affected yields in the vineyards, but as the growing cycle was running up to three or four weeks ahead of where it was in 2023, and water supplies are good after a wet winter, the heat is not yet – as of the time of writing on July 15th – a significant concern. With the arrival of some intense heat disincentivizing canopy thinning, and many uncontracted vineyards being minimally farmed, growing areas have appeared green and lush. Mildew pockets have occurred across the state, as per normal, but in general vines seem in positive health. The crop potential in most areas seems to be at least average; there remains plenty of time, however, for Mother Nature to have her say. Activity levels on the bulk wine and grape markets in June continued the uptick seen i

The 3rd annual Healdsburg Wine and Food Experience was a weekend-long celebration that featured the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines. This year's festival showcased the region's makers – farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines, highlighting the vibrant culinary diversity, deep connection to agriculture, and sustainable farming practices of Sonoma County. HWFE is deeply involved in the Sonoma County community, making substantial donations from this year’s ticket sales and sponsorships to local organizations that make a meaningful difference in the lives of farmers and their families, including the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos. These funds will help support the Leadership Academy and workforce development for vineyard employees and their families, fostering future leaders in both the industry and the community. As well as being co-founders of HWFE, Sonoma County Winegro

Afternoon Brief, May 22nd

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers Acquires Ram’s Gate Winery and Creates New Luxury Wine Division: O’Neill Vintners & Distillers Founder and CEO Jeff O’Neill has been a co-owner of the brand since 2011, and now takes complete ownership of the brand and property, creating a new luxury wine division...

Imagine a warm and sunny day in May. You're walking across the green fairway of a golf course (or riding in a cart if you prefer), surrounded by vineyards and oak-studded rolling hills. When you arrive at the tee, there's a gathering of friends and colleagues. You mingle—catching up with old friends or meeting new ones. You stop at a booth to snag a glass of sparkling wine or limoncello and place a bet on how many capsules are in the jar; if you're right, it could win you a prize. When it's time for your foursome to tee off, you move on through the course to the next tee, where more fun awaits. The day ends at the clubhouse with a full dinner, awards ceremony and a party with the DJ spinning music for dancing, drinking and good vibes. This scenario isn't just a daydream or another weekend golf game in wine country; it's an entirely different experience designed to provide a casual environment for the hard-working folks in the wine and spirits industry to h