With the U.S. wine industry under pressure from declining sales, shifting consumer trends, and economic headwinds, Sonoma County’s vintners and grape growers are coming together in an unprecedented way to confront these challenges – and chart a positive path forward for the local industry. A steering committee of regional leaders has been formed to explore establishing the Sonoma County Wine Improvement District (WID) to provide stable, strategic funding for the long-term strength and sustainability of Sonoma County’s wine and agricultural economy.  The stakes are high. The marketplace is changing rapidly and maintaining the status quo is not an option. The wine industry is facing challenges like never before which must be addressed to reverse the decline and grow the overall wine category.  This effort is significant and grounded in a fundamental truth: grape growers and vintners are inextricably connected, and the success of one depends on the strength o

Afternoon Brief: Global Wine Production Falls to Lowest Level Since 1961

Global wine production has plummeted to a 63-year low after frost, heavy rains and drought ravaged vineyards throughout 2024...

Afternoon Brief: Asheville Winery Destroyed During Helene Uncertain About Future

More than three weeks after Helene destroyed parts of western North Carolina, an Asheville winery that connected neighbors to the regions history, is left with nothing...

February 9, 2024 – Novato, CA – The California Department of Food and Agriculture Preliminary Grape Crush Report, containing tons crushed and prices of wine grapes sold during the 2023 harvest, has been released. The Crush Report provides growers and wineries insight into the inventory position of the California wine business as a whole and influences market dynamics for the current bulk wine market and grape market.  The 2023 Crush Report, coming in at a total of 3.6 million tons, fails to capture the full story of the 2023 harvest. The crop would have been considerably larger if not for soft demand and disease pressure that caused some acres to go unharvested. Despite the size of the overall crop, most wineries found themselves with an excess supply amid challenging conditions in consumer sales.  For specific details on 2023 harvest, see below: Key Insights by Region   Tons Crushed 2023 Tons Crushed 2022 Net Gain/Loss Equivalent Gallons

Au Bon Climat Appoints Cher Engelstad as National Sales Manager

SANTA MARIA, Calif; Nov. 30, 2023 — Au Bon Climat, one of Santa Barbara County’s founding wineries, announces the appointment of Cher Engelstad as National Sales Manager for both Au […]

Afternoon Brief, August 28th

Brock Lindsay of Lake Chelan’s Succession and Alta Wineries Dies at 40: Brock Lindsay, winemaker and co-owner of Succession Wines and Alta Cellars in the Lake Chelan appellation, died August 26th due to traumatic injuries caused by a utility vehicle rollover accident. He was 40-years old...

Afternoon Brief, April 10th

DTC Impact Report: Outreach and Inclusion Attract Younger Drinkers: The 2022 Direct-to-Consumer Impact Report offers a variety of key insights on trends and developments in tasting rooms and DtC over the last year...

Afternoon Brief, February 17th

Paso Robles Winery Sexual Harassment Case to Continue in Court: A federal judge denied a Paso Robles winery’s efforts to dismiss a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the U.S. government in late January, court records show...