Andy Schweiger  Some may say Andy Schweiger has his head in the clouds. His winery, is, after all, 2,000 feet off the valley floor on the top of Spring Mountain. With such lofty fruit, one can imagine Andy has top-level quality goals for all his suppliers. Indeed, Andy admits to working with many different cork suppliers for years to establish his own meticulous list of criteria, service expectations, and quality control standards. “Other companies would nod at my requirements and gave me lip service,” recalls Andy, “but MAS actually listened and took my requests to heart.” Since that first meeting, M. A. Silva has endured at Schweiger by striving for increasingly high quality in all Andy’s cork deliveries. By periodically announcing new technological innovations like the Dynavox system and SARA Advanced process, the supplier continues to methodically test and improve so they can deliver the highest level of quality cork for every order. Andy cites M.

The 2022 harvest has finally come to an end. During the growing season it was predicted to be an early start and end to this harvest, but the end-date was delayed for two reasons. First, heat waves in late-August and early-September shut down the vines’ ability to continue to ripen the crop during high temperatures in many cases. Secondly, the heat was followed by a significantly cooler period and rains. Yields, in general, are down from last year, and in many cases are likely to be down from a five-year average. A smaller 2022 crop has kept the grape market supply closer to balance, or shortage, depending on the variety and appellation. Additionally, it means the grape market is positioned similarly entering 2023; however, the outcome of 2023 will be largely determined by consumers sales over the holidays, the health of the economy, as well as early 2023 crop estimates, a combination that can swing the grape market in either direction. Each winegrowing region of California has i

Afternoon Brief, October 21st

Grapevines May Only Need Help to Survive Heavy Spotted Lanternfly Infestations: Most vines may be able to survive lighter infestations with few ill effects, study suggests...

JUNE 1, 2022 – SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA - M. A. Silva USA, the leading manufacturer of premium corks, glass, and packaging in North America, celebrates over 20 years of partnership with Smith-Madrone Vineyards and Winery. Located in St. Helena, California, Smith-Madrone was founded in 1971 by two brothers, Charlie and Stu Smith. Their highly acclaimed wines have placed the winery in Napa Valley’s spotlight for decades. To celebrate their long-term partnership, Neil Foster, President and Co-Founder of M. A. Silva, met with Charlie and Stu Smith in their vineyard to share a Smith-Madrone vintage sealed with M. A. Silva’s high-end natural cork. During this time, the three reminisced about their years working together and how the industry has changed. Neil Foster recalls when he first dropped off corks and how they were brought straight to Stu Smith’s home rather than the winery. The two parties attribute their strong relationship to having the same business values

Newton Vineyard Receives Organic Certification for Three Estate Vineyards

CCOF Grants Certified Status to Properties in Spring Mountain, Mt. Veeder and Carneros St. Helena, Napa Valley, Sept. 16, 2021 — Newton Vineyard is proud to announce that California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) has granted certified organic status to Newton’s three estate vineyards. Newton’s historic Spring Mountain Estate received certification in July 2020, while the […]

Each season brings new and exciting happenings for our World Cooperage Account Managers around the globe as they work with our partner winemakers. We checked in on a few of them recently to see what was shaking in their part of the world. Come take a peek with us! Today we bring you updates from Paso Robles, the Sierra Foothills, Canada, France, and Chile. Stay tuned for our next update where we will hear from Account Managers in different parts of the world. FRANCE Emmanuel Boudaric, Account Manager Bonjour from sunny Bordeaux where the fruit set is in full swing in the Medoc region! The sales campaigns of the Classified Grands Crus for the 2020 vintage en Primeur are showing good momentum on the recovery of the wine trade. The end-of-aging tastings for the 2019 vintage and the first tastings of 2020 are led by exceptional quality. It is also the time of the year when we start to look into the upcoming 2021 vintage and discuss technically with our customers on adapting the best toast