Wakefield Taylors Wines and 1800 Milenio Take Top Honors July 14, 2025 — Winners have been announced in the 18th annual Women’s International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWWSC). The competition, which took place recently in Santa Rosa, Calif., was founded on the premise that the majority of wine purchased for home consumption is bought by women. The IWWSC judging panels consist entirely of professional women in the wine and spirits industries — winemakers, distillers, marketers, buyers, sommeliers, educators and journalists.  This year, Wakefield Taylor Wines 2024 Estate Riesling and 1800 Milenio Extra-Aged Añejo took top honors. Wakefield Taylor, a heritage winery in Australia’s Clare Valley (a region known for quality Reislings), wowed judges with its “mouthwatering citrus blooms” and “gentle salinity.”  A representative from 1800 Mileno remarked, “1800 Milenio is backed by 11 generations of tequila-making e

Wine Road Elects Six New Board Members, Including New President Infusion of leadership marks one of the largest board transitions in recent years Healdsburg, CA, May 30, 2025 — Wine Road, the premier association of wineries and lodgings in Northern Sonoma County, is pleased to announce the election of six new members to its Board of Directors—one of the largest board transitions in the organization’s recent history. Typically electing just two new members per term, this year’s changes reflect a unique and exciting chapter for Wine Road, bringing fresh perspectives and renewed energy to its mission of promoting Northern Sonoma County as a world-class wine destination. The newly elected board members are: Julie Pedroncelli St. John, President, Pedroncelli Winery As a third-generation member of one of Sonoma County’s iconic Italian winemaking families, Julie brings decades of experience and deep roots in Dry Creek Valley. Pedroncellis have farmed the region s

The 2025 Barrel Weekend is all about tasting wines from the past, present and future. This annual weekend event has been reimagined for its 47th anniversary, letting the wineries along the Wine Road focus on more than just tasting wines from the barrel. And, giving tasters new opportunities for exploring and learning about wine. More Tasting Options With wineries pouring wines from past (library wines), present (current release wines) and future (barrel samples), attendees have more choices and can choose what they most enjoy or what they seeking to restock their wine cellars. As you look through the online Barrel Weekend program, you’ll discover wineries pouring wines from one, two or all three of the category options. This information lets you, the ticket holder, design the tasting path that suits your palate preferences. If you love tasting only barrel samples and possibly buying wine futures, you can still do that. But, if you prefer to taste wines that are currently availabl

Afternoon Brief, October 20th

Sonoma’s Toad Hollow Vineyards Acquired by ‘Masters of Guerrilla Winefare’: Unoaked Chardonnay pioneer Toad Hollow has been sold to WarRoom Cellars for an undisclosed sum...

LISTEN IN Sustainable Winegrowing...on the go! The Sustainable Winegrowing podcast brings you the latest science and research for the wine industry from the world's top experts and experienced growers. In the time it takes to drive from one vineyard to another, you can listen to in-depth technical information on topics like integrated pest management, fruit quality, water conservation, and nutrient management. Sharing your Sustainable Story with your visitors is made even easier with our Marketing Tips episodes. Listening is easy: Search for Sustainable Winegrowing on your podcast player. Click subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Use your new knowledge to make smarter, sustainable vineyard management decisions to increase efficiency, conserve resources, and maximize product quality. Here's what Greg Pennyroyal, Vineyard Manager at Wilson Creek Winery and Professor of Viticulture at Mount San Jacinto College has to say: "It is obvious that the Vineyard Team po

Best of Show Awarded to Brecon Estate Albariño    June 6, 2023 (Santa Rosa, Calif.) — Winners have been announced for the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place in May in Santa Rosa, Calif. Taking the top spot this year is Brecon Estate 2022 Albariño, which judges described as “fresh and bright,” “honeysuckle,” with a “lingering finish.” Ultimately, they concluded, “a very well-made wine.”  Brecon Estate is a boutique estate winery located in the westside hills outside of Paso Robles, Calif. “This particular varietal has been hugely successful for us,” says winemaker Damian Grindley. “It fits so well with alfresco summers in Paso Robles and so many Southern states, as well as the seafood culture of the [San Luis Obispo] Coast. It’s helped put both Brecon Estate and Central Coast Albariño on the map.” He continues, “Its fruit sourcing h

Best of Show Awarded to Brecon Estate Albariño    June 6, 2023 (Santa Rosa, Calif.) — Winners have been announced for the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place in May in Santa Rosa, Calif. Taking the top spot this year is Brecon Estate 2022 Albariño, which judges described as “fresh and bright,” “honeysuckle,” with a “lingering finish.” Ultimately, they concluded, “a very well-made wine.”  Brecon Estate is a boutique estate winery located in the westside hills outside of Paso Robles, Calif. “This particular varietal has been hugely successful for us,” says winemaker Damian Grindley. “It fits so well with alfresco summers in Paso Robles and so many Southern states, as well as the seafood culture of the [San Luis Obispo] Coast. It’s helped put both Brecon Estate and Central Coast Albariño on the map.” He continues, “Its fruit sourcing h

You have mere seconds to capture a consumer’s attention to get them to notice your bottle, pick it up, and ultimately purchase. In a sea of wine options—at retailers and online—how do you make your label stand out? There are steps every buyer takes in selecting a new wine off the shelf: Step 1: Something on the label catches their eye Step 2: They walk closer Step 3: They pick up the bottle Step 4: If the label has texture, they feel it Step 5: They turn the bottle around to read the romance copy When someone goes through all those steps, a majority of the time they put it in their basket. The process is adapted for online purchase, with obvious differences. They can’t pick up and feel the bottle or label, but they can see it, read it, and then explore the tactile factors after purchase. The label can have a significant impact on purchases. A consumer has to like your label before they’ll be able to try your delicious wine. Here are our tips for creating a