Afternoon Brief: Wine Market Council Announces 2026 Research Conference: “Innovating Wine for Tomorrow’s Market”
This year’s theme, “Innovating Wine for Tomorrow’s Market,” will spotlight forward-thinking research, emerging consumer trends, and innovative strategies designed to help the wine industry adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace...
Afternoon Brief: Meta Changes Sow Confusion, Concern in Wine Industry
Last week wine, beer, and spirits-related businesses received unwelcome news. Meta notified business owners that their pages would no longer be recommended by Facebook’s algorithms, decreasing reach and revenue...
Afternoon Brief: RNDC Mourns the Passing of CEO & President Bob Hendrickson
Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) today announced with deep sadness the passing of Bob Hendrickson, Interim Chief Executive Officer & President, on Friday, October 17...
Afternoon Brief: US Shutdown Worries Wine and Whiskey
The political standoff in Washington means no new brands for Christmas, unless significant progress is made...
Afternoon Brief: America's Bulk Wine Glut Should Have Sparked a Brand Boom. Why Hasn't It?
"US consumers, especially younger drinkers, are more skeptical of wine as a category. They're looking for accessibility, authenticity, and convenience, not just value..."
Afternoon Brief: WHO Pushes for Massive 50% Rise in Soda and Alcohol Prices
The WHO has long been an advocate for taxes on sugary drinks and alcohol: but its latest initiative calls for drastic, measurable policy shifts...
Afternoon Brief, June 19th
Point Fire Update: Ag Pass Activated, Poor Air Quality Expected: Sonoma County officials have activated the county's Agricultural Pass system. The Ag Pass program allows workers to access areas under mandatory evacuation orders...
Afternoon Brief, June 18th
California Fire Season Starts Early: At least nine wineries in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley were evacuated Sunday by a fast-moving wildfire. Another 13 wineries were facing an evacuation warning, depending on how fast the fire spreads...
Afternoon Brief, June 11th
Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses Intercepted in California: The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is bringing attention to the discovery of recent Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) egg masses on a shipment originating from New York and destined for Sonoma County. The egg masses were intercepted at the Truckee Border Protection Station in late March. This is the first finding of SLF egg masses in California...
Afternoon Brief, May 31st
U.S. Department of Commerce Makes Affirmative Subsidy Determination in Trade Case on Glass Wine Bottles from China: In a victory for the U.S. glass industry, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has preliminarily determined that the government of China unfairly subsidizes its glass wine bottle industry...