Your next customer will see your winery before they ever taste your wine. They'll see it on Instagram while planning a weekend trip. They'll see it on your website while deciding whether to book a reservation. They'll see it in an email while considering whether your wine club is worth joining. And in every one of those moments, they're making a decision based on what your visuals tell them about who you are. This isn't a trend. It's how people buy now. According to a 2023 study by Cloudinary and Harris Poll, 75% of online shoppers say product photos are the most influential factor in their purchase decisions. That number holds across categories, and it holds in wine. The difference is that wineries aren't just selling a product. They're selling an experience, a place, a feeling. Which means your visual content has to do more work than a product shot on a white background. It has to make someone want to be there. Most wineries know this on some level. Fe

At Alexander Valley Winegrowers, community is everything. From educational programs and grower advocacy to signature events like TASTE Alexander Valley and Wine Week, none of it happens in a vacuum. It happens because of partnership. It happens because businesses across Sonoma County believe in the strength, stewardship, and future of Alexander Valley. Today, we want to publicly and wholeheartedly thank our 2026 Annual Sponsors. Strong Partnerships Build a Stronger Alexander Valley When people think about wine country, they often picture vineyards and tasting rooms. What they don’t always see is the network behind the scenes — the agricultural lenders, insurance partners, hospitality leaders, local chambers, and community businesses that help power our region. Because of these partnerships, AVW is able to: Host valley-wide events that drive tourism and economic vitality Provide marketing and promotional support to our winery members Support educational programming for

Papapietro Perry Winery and Four Roses Bourbon Take Top Honors (March 6, 2026) — Winners have been announced in the fifth annual Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge. A pinot noir from Papapietro Perry (Sonoma County, Calif.) and a small batch bourbon from Four Roses Distillery (Lawrenceburg, Ky.) topped their fields to be named Best of the Best. The competition was established in 2022, in conjunction with Los Angeles-based beverage professionals (representing both the on- and off-premise channels), to highlight the best of the best wine and spirits producers in the world, and to introduce those producers to the largest market of consumers in the United States. Judging took place February 18-19, 2026. Competition this year was stellar, says event producer Debra Del Fiorentino of Wine Competitions Management & Production: “Year after year, our judges continue to be impressed with the depth in each category. The quality of product was fantastic!” Wh

On April 7-8, 2026, a collection of esteemed wine professionals will gather in Santa Rosa, Calif., to evaluate entries in the 2026 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. Competition managers are now accepting entries for the 14th annual NCWC, considered among the most prestigious wine challenges in the United States. This regional competition rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in Northern California’s premier winegrowing region to determine which wines are considered the Best of the Best. Eligible wines must be made from fruit sourced in the North Coast AVAs of Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and parts of Solano counties. This includes any bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California. “The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge is unique in that only wines made from grapes grown in the six North Coast counties are allowed to enter,” says Daryl Groom, chief judge of NCWC. “With that, t

NAPA, Calif., (Nov. 26, 2025) – VA Filtration Services’ Scientific Approach, Innovative Solutions from Napa Valley At VA Filtration Services, our mission is to empower winemakers to produce wines of the highest sensory quality. One of the challenges in modern winemaking is managing undesirable levels of pyrazines, particularly methoxypyrazines, which can impart green, herbaceous aromas that mask fruit character and complexity. Winemakers are left with two options: cover up the pyrazine (and potentially other attributes) or remove it through advances in pyrazine remediation practices. The Problem: Pyrazines in Wine Methoxypyrazines are naturally occurring compounds in certain grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. While subtle concentrations can add a sought-after freshness, excessive amounts lead to pronounced bell pepper and grassy notes, often perceived as faults—especially in premium reds. Often pyrazines present in wine due to enviro

Sparkling wine is one of the most expressive and technically demanding wine styles. Its character begins with the grape variety, the vineyard, and the production method, but the final sensory signature depends heavily on yeast. Yeast acts as the invisible winemaker, shaping aroma, flavor, texture, and bubble structure throughout both primary and secondary fermentations. Different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae behave very differently under the challenging conditions of sparkling wine production. Low pH, increasing alcohol, and high pressure create an environment where only the right strains thrive. Equally important, each strain varies in its ability to create and release the flavor compounds that drive complexity and define style. When secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle and is followed by proper riddling, the yeast has an even greater influence on the final profile. To help winemakers better understand the impact of yeast selection, ATPGroup conducted a focused tria

The conversations I have about quality tend to focus on red wine. This is especially true in California, where Napa Cabs have historically garnered high prices, followed up by Coastal Pinot noirs and red Rhones. Honestly, in most places I’ve been where the climate allows for ripening red grapes, the reds are the main event with the whites being more of a warm-up act or even an afterthought. As a result, we know a lot about how to grow red grapes for quality – and less about how to grow whites. Consumer tastes are shifting though, and the big reds of yore are taking a back seat. Drinkers want lower alcohol wines with a lighter style and wineries are taking fewer risks with wine they can turn around in under a year. As a result, white varieties are in hot demand. If you’re a grower who can’t sell your grapes, you may very well be considering grafting some of your reds over to white.  So how do you grow a good white? In many ways whites are harder than their r

Mark your calendars! Our Annual Summer Open House + Marketplace is happening Sunday, June 22nd from 11 AM to 3 PM, and we’re not just pouring great wine this year, we’re serving up some of the most exciting food in Sonoma County. This year’s culinary lineup is built for flavor-lovers and it’s one of our most thoughtfully curated yet. Maison Porcella is back — for an exclusive pop-up experience. If you were a fan of their Windsor bistro, this is your chance to enjoy their incredible French craftsmanship once again. Maison Porcella will be serving up exclusive charcuterie boards, bringing their refined flavors and signature style to our event. With their restaurant now closed, this special appearance offers a delicious taste of what made them a local favorite. 🍕 Gabacool Provisions Serving up overly-thought our New York inspired pizzas! 🍱 Shokakko Japanese and Asian-inspired comfort food, reimagined. Plus, local favorites from: Flatbed Farm ￮ Gold Ridge Far

Bottling day is more than just a finishing step - it’s a defining moment. The wine you’ve nurtured through harvest, fermentation, and aging is finally ready to meet the world. At Peregrine Mobile Bottling, we don’t just understand that moment - we respect it. We know how much time, labor, and heart goes into making great wine. That’s why we’ve built a mobile bottling service focused on three core values: advanced technology, uncompromising cleanliness, and genuine care. These aren’t just buzzwords to us. They guide everything we do - from the moment we pull up to your winery to the last case we help you stack. Let’s take you behind the scenes of what makes Peregrine Mobile Bottling different - and why more wineries across Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and San Joaquin counties are choosing us as their trusted bottling partner.Technology That Protects Your Craft Our bottling lines are designed with today’s winemaker in mind: precise, efficient,

We can’t wait for Taste of Sonoma on June 21, 2025 at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, produced by Sonoma County Vintners! You’ll taste wines from 100+ wineries, refuel at complimentary food trucks and relax at themed lounges. The lineup will also include a walk-around wine tasting, beer garden, premium wine experiences and more! Get tickets here.