Sonoma County Winegrowers Reorganizes to Scale Proven Collaborations and Unlock National Growth Opportunities  At its annual Dollars & $ense meeting today, themed, “The Next Chapter: Elevating What Works and Expanding What’s Possible,” Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW) announced a strategic reorganization and renewed organizational focus to build demand, expand partnerships, and increase sales of Sonoma County wines to support long-term grower success. The moves reflect a proactive response to an evolving marketplace and are designed to ensure Sonoma County remains competitive, relevant, and well-positioned for future growth. Moving forward, Jennifer Dieckmann, currently Chief Operating Officer of Sonoma County Winegrowers, will assume the role of Executive Director and COO, leading the organization’s day-to-day operations, program execution, and team leadership, while maintaining operational excellence and strengthening grower and stakeholder engagement

Year-End Note from the WIN Marketplace The holidays fade like cellar-song, and winter turns the page, While plans take shape and buyers look for what they’ll need… and when. If you’re holding fruit with promise, or bulk that’s ready to pour, Or tools that earned their keep this year and want to work once more, Set them where the industry looks, and let your offering shine, List Grapes, Bulk Wine, Used Equipment, and meet the year in kind. Use code WINTER2025 for a free 90-day listing on the WIN Marketplace, and step into 2026 with something already in motion! Visit Website Explore by Category Grapes Bulk Wine Shiners Production Vineyard Real Estate Services Grapes Need Grapes? Ciatti Has You Covered Shiners Calsecco: Have You Tried It Yet? Now Offering Alcohol Removed Wines! Production Equipment 1/6bbl Kegs - No Term Month-to-Month Rental 2100l 7bar Jacketed Tank 350-Gal Wine Tank 5-Ton Euro Press Defranceschi Incline Conveyor Encore Glass — End o

With the conclusion of harvest, it’s easy to shift focus from irrigation. The crops are in, and the season’s busiest time is nearly wrapped. However, the irrigation practices in the immediate post-harvest weeks are crucial for next year’s growth, yield, and quality. Market conditions often tighten budgets, labor availability decreases, and water allocations may already be stretched thin from the season. At the same time, crops are still active beneath the soil line, requiring care to build root strength and store nutrients for the year ahead. Balancing limited resources with the ongoing needs of the crop can feel like a gamble, especially when every decision impacts next year’s performance. How HotSpot AG Helps in Practice Reliable irrigation automation makes all the difference. HotSpot AG’s systems were designed with the understanding that every farm has unique characteristics, such as older pumps, intricate irrigation layouts, and specific site challe

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

Get Your Cooling System Ready for the Season Ahead As spring arrives and vineyard life begins to bloom again, it’s the perfect time to wake your chiller from winter hibernation. A smooth startup now means reliable cooling when you need it most — whether you’re cold-soaking rosé lots or prepping for bottling. Below is a helpful step-by-step guide to safely and efficiently hook up and prepare your chiller for winery use this season: Spring Chiller Startup Checklist 1. Clean the Condenser Coils Spring debris like cottonwood, pollen, and leaves can restrict airflow. Use a soft brush or coil-safe cleaner to remove buildup. For heavy grime, a gentle rinse with water may help — just avoid damaging the fins. Straighten bent fins with a fin comb if needed. 2. Remove Winter Protection Take off tarps, overhangs, or insulation used for winter protection. Ensure there’s no trapped moisture, which can lead to rust or mold. 3. Inspect Power & Electrical Conne

HotSpot AG founder James Nichols lived the daily challenges of farming when he returned home to Hanford after his UC Davis graduation. His family tasked him with implementing a water budget for irrigating their 4,600 acres of almonds and pistachios. After researching and testing automated irrigation systems that didn’t meet his needs, Nichols designed his own and then spent five years perfecting it in the family orchards.  At that point, the family encouraged him to focus on sharing his invention with others, convinced it would help many people. And so, in 2018, HotSpot AG was born.  The HotSpot AG solution streamlines a grower’s workflow by making it easier to manage, track and schedule sensor data and automate irrigation pumps and valves from anywhere. HotSpot can also monitor groundwater levels and automate fertigation and chemigation. Another timely solution for North Coast growers as the frost season approaches is HotSpot’s ability to automate wind mach

Afternoon Brief: Young Adults Find Restaurant Wine Lists Uninspiring - According to New Wine Market Council Study

Wine has low visibility and been pushed to the back of drink lists in casual restaurants and appears 'boring and tired', according to consumers interviewed for a new Wine Market Council study on 'How to Attract Young Adults and Multicultural Consumers to Wine'...

Summer is upon us, and whether you’re a brewer trying to keep up with the summer rush, a winemaker preparing for harvest, or in any other application where a chiller is used, keeping your chiller running at peak performance is critical. Activate remote monitoring today and you’ll be able to monitor your chillers’ performance anytime, anywhere. The system sends text and email alerts for any abnormal conditions – offering peace of mind that your equipment is operating smoothly. Learn more about remote monitoring here! Here are 5 helpful tasks you can do yourself to keep your chiller running smoothly. Summer temperatures cause high head pressure, which reduces your chiller’s capacity. To get the best efficiency and capacity from your chiller, it is essential to keep its condenser coils clean and ensure unrestricted air circulation.Cleaning the condenser is easy. First, shut down the chiller and turn off the power. Then, with a water hose, gent