Keeping up with industry news and trends is one of the most underrated disciplines in beverage alcohol. It’s a frightening habit, admittedly — slowing down long enough to read or at least skim several articles every day when the return on investment takes months or years to materialize.  When sales are down, it’s human nature to scrounge for the fastest wins available. In our desperation to keep the lights on, we abandon most eagerly the very practices that would lead to longevity and profitability for our business. The inconvenient timing of these insights — namely, that the best articles and industry reports tend to circulate precisely when everyone has checked out for the holidays —only intensifies the competitive advantage up for grabs by those who are paying attention. An up-to-date understanding of consumer preferences and behavior can inform our production, focus our messaging, and align sales & marketing so that everything from tasting ro

Afternoon Brief, May 8th

In a Major Pinot Noir Purchase, Constellation Buys Sta. Rita Hills Icon Sea Smoke: The Santa Barbara County winery was a key player in the region’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay renaissance...

Afternoon Brief, March 28th

China Lifts Heavy Tariffs on Australian Wine as Ties Improve: China on Thursday said it will lift tariffs placed on Australian wine over three years ago, in a sign of improving ties between the two countries...

Afternoon Brief, March 25th

The 3rd Annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Sonoma Epicurean Weekend Raises over $3.4 Million: The 3rd annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Sonoma Epicurean weekend, held March 21-24 in Sonoma County’s renowned wine country, raised over $3.4 million...

Afternoon Brief, March 21st

Sherry-Lehmann’s Park Ave. Landlord Gets OK to Clear Out Booze in $4.8 Million Rent Dispute — After a Year of Collecting Dust: Iconic wine retailer Sherry-Lehmann’s Park Avenue landlord has won permission to finally clear out old shelves, fixtures and leftover bottles of wine at the storied shop — which have been collecting dust for more than a year since it shuttered in scandal...

Afternoon Brief, March 18th

Founding Winemaker James Hall Buys Back Patz & Hall from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates: James Hall, the founding partner and winemaker, has repurchased Patz & Hall winery from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which has owned the winery since 2016...

Afternoon Brief, March 11th

Digging Deeper into Wine's Vine-Pull Battle: Pulling up vines is an effective way to make sure growers can make a living - so who's stopping them?...

Afternoon Brief, March 4th

Southern Glazer’s to Pay California Customers $5.5 Million over Illegal Late Fees: The payment settles a case between Southern Glazer’s and restaurant owners, with the distributor also writing off $44.1m of customer debt...

Afternoon Brief, February 6th

WineVit State of the Industry Session Looks at National Challenges to Wine Consumption and Local Opportunities for Growth: U.S. wine sales down 9 percent in 2023. Twenty million gallons of oversupply. Gen Z only drinking 9 percent of wine. Fifty-two percent of young consumers believe drinking alcohol is bad for their health...