Technical Winemaking Webinar · May 13 · 45 minutes with live Q&A Save the date, you’re invited to our new webinar! Stuck and sluggish fermentations, along with limited aromatic expression, remain common challenges, especially with high Brix or unbalanced musts. In this webinar, we will review the key parameters that influence fermentation performance and aroma development, from yeast activation through to the end of alcoholic fermentation. The session will focus on practical decision points and how targeted nutrition strategies can impact both fermentation kinetics and aromatic outcomes. Topics covered: Yeast rehydration and early-stage management Impact of rehydration conditions on yeast viability, including the role of sterols and fatty acids Fermentation kinetics and completion Identification of risk factors for sluggish or stuck fermentations, and practical approaches to secure fermentation to dryness Aroma development during fermentation Influence o

Winery leaders and industry experts explore the strategies shaping the future of wine sales. The wine industry narrative over the past two years has been dominated by decline: falling consumption, shrinking distributor portfolios, and weakening consumer loyalty. The headlines suggest an industry in freefall. But the reality is more nuanced - and more useful. Yes, overall wine consumption continues to face pressure. Consumer behavior is fragmenting in ways that challenge traditional approaches. But the full story isn’t simply decline. It’s divergence. Some wineries are still growing. Some categories are holding steady while others contract. Some sales channels are thriving while others struggle. The difference often comes down to whether wineries have adapted their strategies to match the market that exists today, not the one that existed three years ago. At Wine Industry Network’s Annual Wine Sales Symposium on May 13, Dr. Chris Bitter will present research on what’s actually happening

As inventory grows and SKU counts increase, many warehouses feel pressure before they run out of space. The real challenge often shows up in the aisles, at the rack, and around staging areas where congestion slows operations. The right narrow aisle solution can increase storage density, enhance maneuverability, and keep goods moving smoothly. Instead of expanding your footprint, many facilities can unlock capacity by rethinking equipment, racking, and traffic flow. At Papé Material Handling, this broader approach connects layout planning, operator-focused technology, lift trucks, racking, automation, and fleet management to keep warehouse operations running efficiently and safely. Safety and Productivity Go Hand in Hand With tighter spaces, control, visibility, training, and maintenance become even more important. In a narrow aisle environment, small inefficiencies can quickly lead to product damage or increase the risk of injury. That’s why productivity and safety need t

Recent news headlines out of France regarding wine barrel management and leasing mainstay H&A Group have sparked concerns within the global wine industry, with potential significant impacts to the domestic and local wine industry’s barrel financing programs. H&A, a Bordeaux‑based barrel leasing company with a substantial international footprint, has reportedly been placed into judicial liquidation by the Bordeaux Commercial Court in early April, after unsuccessful restructuring efforts.[1] With thousands of clients worldwide—including wineries in California—the liquidation of H&A may have significant legal, financial, and operational implications for wine producers that relied on its barrel leasing and financing structures. For approximately two decades, H&A operated as a specialized financer of wine maturation, allowing wineries to access barrels without the need for substantial upfront capital expenditures. Through barrel lease and resale agreements, H&A worked

The surge in no- and low-alcohol wines is creating exciting opportunities for wineries to reach new consumers. But as many producers are discovering, removing alcohol changes more than just the label. It fundamentally shifts how these wines behave from a food safety standpoint. In traditional wine, alcohol plays a major role in suppressing microbial growth. Once that protection is reduced or eliminated, the product begins to behave more like a ready-to-drink beverage. This means that microorganisms, including food-borne pathogens such as norovirus, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli, are more likely to survive and grow if proper controls are not in place. Many winemakers are surprised to learn that their existing cleaning and sanitation programs may no longer be sufficient. Higher residual sugar levels, additional processing steps like dealcoholization and blending, and increased handling during filling all create new opportunities for contamination. Controls that worked well for trad

The surge in no- and low-alcohol wines is creating exciting opportunities for wineries to reach new consumers. But as many producers are discovering, removing alcohol changes more than just the label. It fundamentally shifts how these wines behave from a food safety standpoint. In traditional wine, alcohol plays a major role in suppressing microbial growth. Once that protection is reduced or eliminated, the product begins to behave more like a ready-to-drink beverage. This means that microorganisms, including food-borne pathogens such as norovirus, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli, are more likely to survive and grow if proper controls are not in place. Many winemakers are surprised to learn that their existing cleaning and sanitation programs may no longer be sufficient. Higher residual sugar levels, additional processing steps like dealcoholization and blending, and increased handling during filling all create new opportunities for contamination. Controls that worked well for trad

Profitability Isn’t an Accident   PEMDAS Solutions Winery Profitability & Growth Advisory — a strategic service designed to help wineries improve margins, optimize operations, and build more sustainable, profitable businesses. As the season progresses, wineries are not only managing production — they’re also evaluating cost structures, pricing strategies, sales channels, and long-term growth plans. Services like this provide a data-driven approach to identifying opportunities and improving overall performance. Whether you're looking to refine your business model, increase efficiency, or better understand where profit is gained (or lost), this type of advisory can help bring clarity to complex winery operations. View Listing The WIN Marketplace is built to connect buyers and sellers across the wine industry, and listings like these PEMDAS Solutions Winery Profitability & Growth Advisory services highlight how the platform helps wineries a

Join leading wine industry attorneys, winery owners, and professionals for a focused half-day panel discussion. Panelists include: Arnaud Joubert - Légi Conseils Bourgogne Mario Zepponi - BMO Howard Bailey - Arch + Beam Pete Danko - Portland Business Journal Michael (“Mikey”) Etzel - Beaux Frères Winery Janie Brooks Heuck - Brooks Winery Barbara Gross - Cooper Mountain Vineyards David Millman - Domaine Drouhin Rusty Field - Domaine Serene Adam Campbell - Elk Cove Winery JB Rivail - Ponzi Vineyards What you’ll gain: Practical strategies to manage financial and operational risk Insights on protecting assets in a shifting market Real-world perspectives from industry leaders and advisors Actionable steps to strengthen stability and long-term positioning May 12, 2026 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.  Check-In & Breakfast 8:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Program The Allision Inn & Spa 2525 Allison Lane  Newberg, OR 97132 Register Here

AI Entity Brand Guide & Digital Marketing Services A strong brand presence matters more than ever in today’s wine market. A new listing on the WIN Marketplace offers AI Entity Brand Guide & Digital Marketing Services designed specifically to help wineries strengthen their digital visibility and connect with the right audiences. From brand positioning to modern digital marketing strategies, services like this can help wineries and wine brands adapt to an increasingly digital sales landscape. 🔗 Learn more and connect with the provider: https://marketplace.wineindustrynetwork.com/listing/ai-entity-brand-guide-and-digital-marketing-services/ The WIN Marketplace is built to connect buyers and sellers across the wine industry, and listings like this offering highlight how the platform supports wineries looking to strengthen their brand presence and digital strategy. For wine businesses navigating an increasingly online marketplace, services like this provide direc

WineDirect to Commerce7: 19% Growth in Club Customization, 50% Less Support, and the End of "Batch Day" TL;DR: Faced with manual bottlenecks on WineDirect, Hill Family Estate migrated to Commerce7 to empower their members. The results were immediate: a 19% increase in customized club shipments and a 50% reduction in support volume. Most importantly, the team reclaimed 4-5 hours of manual labour per club run by allowing their customers to customize their orders online and move to fully automated background processing.  Founded by third-generation farmer Doug Hill, Hill Family Estate is a family-run operation in Napa Valley that blends deep vineyard expertise with approachable hospitality. Their winery and tasting room experiences are known for being family-friendly, intimate, and deeply rooted in the land they have farmed for decades. For Allison Negrón, DTC Manager at Hill Family Estate, the goal is always to provide a seamless, personali