Alexander Valley, CA — April 2026 — This April, Alexander Valley Winegrowers invite wine lovers—both new and experienced—to slow down, sip freely, and reconnect with the heart of wine country during TASTE Alexander Valley: Back to Our Roots, a month-long celebration of wine, hospitality, and genuine connection.  Running throughout the entire month of April, TASTE Alexander Valley offers a rare opportunity to experience the region without the usual barriers of tasting fees. Participating wineries will provide complimentary tastings, welcoming guests to explore at their own pace while engaging directly with the growers, winemakers, and owners who define Alexander Valley.  “TASTE Alexander Valley is about removing the barriers that often keep people from exploring wine,” said Jessie Vallery, Executive Director of Alexander Valley Winegrowers. “Whether you’re just starting to learn about wine, or you love tasting but are tired

Verdi Block Controller – Wireless Irrigation with Verified Flow Verdi’s Block Controller brings smart irrigation to your fingertips—fully wireless, battery-powered, and installable in minutes with no trenching or rewiring required. Just connect your solenoid, scan the QR code, and start automating irrigation across blocks and properties with 24/7 scheduling and remote control from your phone or computer. Designed to retrofit existing infrastructure, it’s compatible with 99% of sensors and delivers real-time alerts for leaks, flow issues, and system failures—so you can respond instantly and avoid crop loss. Save up to $500/acre on irrigation labor and fuel, reduce water use by 10–30%, and boost crop revenue by 10–20%, all with bilingual support and easy access to AI-powered documentation anytime. View Listing Explore by Category Grapes Bulk Wine Shiners Production Vineyard Real Estate Services Grapes Beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains P

May 2025 Marketplace Roundup Custom Sparkling Shiners from Rack & Riddle — Available Now! Rack & Riddle offers sparkling wine shiners—tirage bottled and aged sur lees from 6 months up to 3 years—ready now and prepared for custom finishing. This pre-aged, pre-stocked wine is ready to move. Simply select your AVA and wine style, and Rack & Riddle handles the riddling, disgorging, and finishing for you. Choose from Brut, Low Alcohol Brut, Rosé, Blanc de Noirs, or Blanc de Blancs, with AVAs including California, Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley, Russian River, North Coast, and Central Coast. Available in 750ML, 375ML, and select 1.5L formats, these ready-to-label wines offer a fast, flexible way to bring premium sparkle to your brand. View Listing Explore by Category Grapes Bulk Wine Shiners Production Vineyard Real Estate Services Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon - Robert Young Chardonnay - Robert Young Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (828) - Gloria Ferrer Need Grap

It’s the same conversation in boardrooms, discussion boards, symposiums, and industry reports: “Younger consumers just aren’t drinking wine like previous generations.” Sure, the concern is valid. But the narrative misses key nuances. The reality is that younger consumers are still just that—young. Their drinking habits, lifestyle priorities, and financial realities don’t yet match those of past generations at the same life stage. But instead of writing off Gen Z or younger Millennials, the wine industry needs to adjust its approach. The traditional playbook doesn’t account for how younger consumers live, what they value, or how they engage with brands. If wineries want to stay relevant, it’s time to rewrite the script. 1. Younger Consumers Will Age Into Wine—Just Like Boomers Did A common misstep in the industry’s current panic is comparing a 23-year-old Gen Zer to a 45-year-old Gen Xer. The latter has had decades to develop

Each Family Has Continuously Farmed Land for More than 100 Years The image of vibrant farms and rugged ranches set among Sonoma County’s beautiful landscapes has long been sought after by tourists, painters and photographers. The sheer beauty has always stood out, but, given that the area’s first vineyards date back to 1812, it is the region’s agrarian roots and family legacy that makes Sonoma County unique. Today, twenty-two local families, all winegrape growers, were recognized as the original members of the “Century Club” in honor of their continuously farming their family’s original land for more than one hundred years. Sonoma County Winegrowers created the Century Club to mark the unique legacies of farm families in the region and it will recognize new families with the honor as they hit the one-hundred-year mark in the years ahead. Each of these farms – and the families behind them – have endured the ups and downs of the cyclical

Last night while I was sleeping, my heart beat 38,400 times. I didn’t ask it to keep beating through my slumber, nor did I thank it when I awoke. I just took my heartbeat, and my life, for granted. Shame on me. We do the same with wine. Sure, we enjoy the aroma, bouquet and taste. But we rarely reflect that this magical elixir is a natural farm product…a land preserver…a reflection of place and time…an artistic statement…a liquid food…a Biblical focus…a poetic inspiration…a cultural phenomenon…an economic engine…a noble beverage with humble roots which brings people together around the world. Wine is magic. So why don’t we tell people? Natural magic It’s easy to fret about the future of wine. Boomers are aging, younger generations are opting out, spirits are innovating and there are increasing warnings about the dangers of alcohol.  It’s deja vu all over again. We’ve been here before, and

Afternoon Brief, December 14th

Winemaker Mike Grgich, Who Grabbed Worldwide Attention with His Napa Chardonnay, Dies at 100: After emigrating from Croatia, the winemaker worked at top Napa cellars like Beaulieu Vineyard, Chateau Montelena and Robert Mondavi Winery before founding his own winery...