The hidden cost of switching systems Most wineries don’t switch platforms because they want to. They switch because they have to. What often starts as a reasonable choice can become limiting over time: Data lives in more than one place CRM feels shallow as marketing needs grow Workarounds become part of daily operations Growth introduces friction instead of momentum At that point, wineries face a tough reality: change again — or accept the limits. This is where the real cost shows up: Time spent migrating data Disruption to staff and customers Lost momentum during transition Decisions made under pressure instead of clarity Activ8 Commerce was built to prevent that cycle. With one shared system across POS, clubs, eCommerce, CRM, and reporting — Activ8 scales with your business, instead of forcing you to re-platform as needs evolve. If you’re comparing platforms — or wondering whether your current system will support your next phase — this artic

Maintaining wine balance in a changing climate Climate change is reshaping the wine industry. In many wine regions, each year seems to set new records for the hottest or driest growing season, followed by the earliest harvest dates yet. Such accelerated ripening is disrupting grape physiology; phenolic and aromatic development fall out of sync, sugar levels soar, and acidity drops away (1). So how can we adapt and build a more resilient wine sector? The answer to this question is multifaceted. In the vineyards, grape growers are rethinking their management practices, adjusting canopy architecture, introducing shading or optimising irrigation (1,2). Some are reaching for higher altitudes or moving further from the equator in search of cooler conditions (1). Others are trialling alternative heat- and drought-tolerant varieties, from long-forgotten cultivars to newly bred plant material. In the cellars, winemakers may turn to pragmatic solutions such as dilution or blending strategi

Press Release November 21, 2025 (Fairfield, CA) — Encore Glass Encore Glass, a family-owned wine bottle supplier serving wineries across North America, has promoted LC Giacobazzi to Sales Director. In this role, she will oversee Account Managers, lead sales processes and training, and support new business development in partnership with Director of New Business Development Phil King. "LC earned this through years of doing the work. She builds trust, solves problems fast, and keeps the team aligned. Her leadership strengthens our sales group and our customer relationships. I'm proud of her growth and glad to see her take on this role," said Brad Tucker, Vice President of Sales. LC joined Encore Glass in 2010 as a Customer Service Representative and has since built a wide-ranging career across Customer Service, Operations, and Account Management. Her 15 years of experience give her a comprehensive view of the customer life cycle and the operational demands of deliveri

The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. More pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for future generations.  Regenerative principles are a push back against traditional industrial agriculture practices which are respons

If you’ve been in the wine business long enough, you know the rhythm of harvest tends to repeat itself — until it doesn’t. A Changing Vineyard and Cellar Landscape This year, growers and winemakers across California are still navigating tough choices. With less demand and smaller contracts, some fruit is being left on the vine or sold off early, and many wineries are cutting back crush volumes simply because cellar space and cash flow are tight. Others are consolidating vineyard blocks, farming for vine health instead of yield, or pausing replanting until the market finds its balance. Inside the cellar, the picture isn’t much different. Tanks are full, case sales are slower, and every square foot of storage matters. As a result, more wineries are stretching existing barrel inventory another season, delaying new oak purchases, and relying on recoopered and used barrels to stay flexible without adding unnecessary costs. And the pattern reaches well beyond Californ

Global Package Exhibiting at the 2024 ADI Craft Spirits Conference and Vendor Expo - Booth 223 Baltimore MD The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. 2024 brings about more pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations, but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on in 2024: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for fu

The global shift toward sustainability is palpable across nearly every sector. Within the wine and spirits industries, this movement has gained remarkable traction, driven by consumers’ increasing demand for environmentally responsible products. 2024 brings about more pressure for industry to put sustainability at the center of all operations, but also provides opportunities for businesses to flourish by staying ahead of the trends in innovative and sustainable advancements. Here are four sustainability trends to keep an eye on in 2024: Regenerative practices for wine and spirits Recent years have seen a boom in conscious agricultural practices through the philosophy that all aspects of agriculture are connected. This philosophy emphasizes the careful utilization of land management to restore and regenerate the ecosystems and land we use, leaving it in better health for future generations.  Regenerative principles are a push back against traditional industrial agriculture p

A brand’s journey to sustainability is never complete as it works to stand out and challenge expectations of the norm. As the years progress, companies of all sizes are aiming to do just that, with a focus on sustainability for better health, improved community, and a brighter future.   “Pro-environmental actions, such as recycling, have great potential for the industry as a whole to be more sustainable,” notes Jon French, O-I’s Wine Category Sales & Marketing Director.  The wine industry has made progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but pressures continue to rise for businesses to take more action founded in sustainable behavior. Wineries of all sizes continue to view every decision with a sustainable lens. Let’s take a closer look at the ways your winery can reduce its carbon footprint.  Choose Local  Of all steps in the supply chain, transportation accounts for 90% of greenhouse gas emissions.[1] O-I, based in Ohi

The wine industry’s innovation journey to solve winemaking issues begins with partnerships The impact of wildfires on grapes, wine and the bottom line is a steadily growing worry for the West Coast wine industry. Recent heavy winter rains are refilling reservoirs and aquifers, which will help alleviate, but not eliminate, wildfire risk. On the other hand, there will be more “dry grass” — the perfect fuel for wildfires to propagate. “Unfortunately, It’s very difficult to predict wildfires, and when they happen, one of the biggest problems is smoke taint in the wine, especially in California, Oregon, and Washington,” says Antonino Li Brizzi, CEO of Della Toffola USA, which serves the wine community. “Even half an hour of contact with the smoke caused by wildfires can be enough to contaminate the grape and the wine, making it unpleasant or frequently unsellable. Some of our customers have faced the risk of losing a vintage, which would impac

The Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo (WIN Expo) is the largest trade show and conference focused exclusively on Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and is the second largest wine industry show in North America. By Barbara Barielle When I approached Wine Industry Network President & CEO George Christie for a story about the 10-year anniversary of WIN Expo, I asked about exhibitors that have been involved in the event. He replied, “The industry’s best suppliers exhibit year after year and they have been since the beginning.” George Christie, Wine Industry Network President & CEO  That, in a nutshell, demonstrates the success of the North Coast exhibition, which brings industry suppliers together with  winery and vineyard professionals during the down time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Still intimate (but not small, by any means), this one-day event in the heart of Wine Country is now the second largest wine trade show in the coun