Reports that the largest alcohol companies are sitting on $22 billion in inventory should make every independent and mid-size Maker and distributor pause. Not because it’s your inventory,but because it’s clogging everyone else’s shelves. When distributor warehouses are full, the system doesn’t slow down evenly. It squeezes from the edges inward. And independent Makers feel it first. Big Inventory = Small Makers Get Crowded Out Excess inventory changes distributor behavior, fast: Sales teams are incentivized to move what’s already sitting in the warehouse, not discover what’s new Portfolio rationalization accelerates Support quietly turns into neglect because of other priorities In these moments, size matters. Not quality. Not stories. Not scores. If your brand isn’t already turning, you’re suddenly competing with pallets of product that has to move. Big distributors depend on those suppliers to keep the lights on. So,

July's supply chain landscape feels deceptively calm, but the undercurrents are shifting. Fuel costs ticked upward again – $3.599 to $3.779 per gallon – putting quiet pressure on logistics, even as transportation costs eased with the surprising disappearance of peak season surcharges. That dip is a welcome but likely temporary reprieve.  On the production side, capacity continues to tighten: OI’s Portland plant has officially closed, and two additional furnaces are scheduled to go offline, which continues to raise concerns about domestic supply heading into the back half of the year. Lead times have not budged from June’s elevated levels, but with fewer furnaces online, we are likely to see that stress compound by fall. Ports remain neutral, and overall supply feels steady – but for now, it is a still surface over increasingly strained infrastructure. Tariff watch: The rules are changing The new US tariff rates announced on July 31 mark a signifi

January 15 th, 2025 — Wineries excel at delivering exceptional customer experiences, but keeping pace with modern communication trends can be challenging. Recognizing the need for seamless digital interactions, VinesOS, a trusted point-of-sale and commerce winery software provider, has partnered with RedChirp, the wine industry’s leading text messaging platform. This month, they launch an integration that simplifies winery communications and drives customer engagement. Together, they’re making it easier than ever for wineries to connect with customers, enhance their operations, and boost revenue.  A Seamless Customer Experience This integration bridges the gap between wineries and their customers by offering innovative tools that enhance communication and elevate the customer journey. Key benefits include:  Seamless Contact Syncing: Effortless syncing of customer contact details between VinesOS and RedChirp ensures efficient and accurate outreach, allowing

San Jose, CA | January 2025 — Wineries excel at delivering exceptional customer experiences, but keeping pace with modern communication trends can be challenging. Recognizing the need for seamless digital interactions, VinesOS, a trusted point-of-sale and commerce winery software provider, has partnered with RedChirp, the wine industry’s leading text messaging platform. This month, they launched an integration that simplifies winery communications and drives customer engagement. Together, they’re making it easier than ever for wineries to connect with customers, enhance their operations, and boost revenue. A Seamless Customer Experience This integration bridges the gap between wineries and their customers by offering innovative tools that enhance communication and elevate the customer journey. Key benefits include: Streamlined Contact Syncing: Effortless syncing of customer contact details between VinesOS and RedChirp ensures efficient and acc

San Jose, CA | August 28th, 2024 — VinesOS, an all-in-one commerce solution for the wine industry, just released a new club feature that will elevate the experience from the moment new members sign up! With this innovative addition, new members can choose an option during sign-up to indicate they are joining on-site and wish to skip the next club release, as they plan to take their wine home immediately. This seamless integration enhances the connection between the tasting room and customers, allowing them to enjoy the perks of membership from Day 1. To sign up, members simply scan a QR code, choose their club, and select the option to skip the next release before using ApplePay or GooglePay to sign up. For staff managing the sign-up process through the POS, a convenient button allows them to quickly apply this option, creating a smooth and efficient experience for everyone involved. The intuitive system automatically skips that new member on the upcoming shipment and has built-i

San Jose, CA | April 25, 2024 - VinesOS, a leading software platform for commerce solutions, is excited to announce that CEO Jules Robbins will be a featured speaker at The Tasting & Tap Room Expo, set to take place on May 7th in Reno, Nevada.  The wine industry’s newest show is the only dedicated tradeshow and conference explicitly designed for tasting and tap room management, attracting industry leaders and innovators nationally. Tasting room sales constitute an average of 44% of a winery, brewery, or distillery's direct-to-consumer (DTC) income, emphasizing the importance of this sector in today's beverage industry. Jules Robbins, alongside VinesOS Director of Sales, Kristen Muir, will lead a session titled "Cut The Friction: Accelerate Your DTC Sales," designed to help businesses grow loyalty across multiple generations. This session will explore how to leverage personalized connections made in the tasting room. Their practical insights help winerie

San Jose, CA | March 13, 2024— In a strategic move to help wineries build customer loyalty, VinesOS proudly announces the introduction of its highly anticipated rewards program. With the new program, merchants can reward customers with points for every dollar spent. Customers can apply their earned points toward future purchases. Distinguishing Feature VinesOS designs every feature with the wine industry in focus. The new rewards program can be configured with different reward point settings for members vs. customers. Additionally, points can be allocated based on product types such as wine, flights, and merchandise. Inspiring Loyalty  Earning points as rewards simultaneously helps attract and retain customers to build loyalty. The availability of rewards acts as an enticing incentive. Customers who accumulate points are more likely to come back in the future for tastings or repeat purchases. There is also the likelihood of increased order value exceeding the

Winery software that seamlessly links the art of storytelling with effective sales strategies. SAN JOSE, Calif., (February 13, 2024) - The wine industry has kicked off the new year with many publications and organizations promoting the importance of a brand story to connect with the modern consumer. Wine America has released a campaign to focus on the 'Magic of Wine,' with regular contributions emphasizing the enchanting aspects of the industry. Jim Trezise, President of Wine America, encourages wineries to broadcast the magic of wine with a heightened focus on the narrative behind each bottle. This campaign addresses concerns over effectively marketing to younger generations and consumers shifting to alternative categories or abstaining.  VinesOS has strategically partnered with wineries in the last year whose modern approach to engaging with consumers reaches multiple generations. From Napa Valley, Olivia Brion bonds with consumers by sharing uplifting stories highlig

VinesOS Releases An Impressive Line-up of Winery Point Of Sale Features New system features, including Modifiers, Happy Hour Specials, and Kitchen Printing, streamline winery tasting room sales and improve operational efficiency.   San Jose, CA | May 18, 2023 – VinesOS strategically released a range of POS features this month, just in time for tasting rooms to prepare for the influx of consumers. "We are thrilled to announce these new blockbuster features. Since we unveiled our POS last year, we’ve been leaning in, closely listening to our clients, going on site, and watching it in use,” says Jules Robbins, CEO of VinesOS. “We gathered valuable feedback, rolled up our sleeves, and are excited to release this feature-rich upgrade today." Highlights of the new POS features include: Modifiers - Easily set up options that can be applied to the items for sale. The modifiers help to sell the same item with different options, such as pizza t