Are you an expert in the field of wine and would like to share your ideas with our event audience? Let us know! Wine Industry Network (WIN) would like to invite industry professionals, experts, and insiders to submit ideas and topic suggestions for the 14th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo Trade Show & Conference (WIN Expo) to be held on December 3rd, 2026, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. We encourage you to share your ideas regarding panel discussions, case studies, or product presentations and consider joining our line-up of industry experts this December. If there are particular topics or subjects you would like to learn more about, let us know! The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 3, 2026. We look forward to hearing from you. Please click here to get started.

With the expected continuing market correction of the alcohol beverage industry to consumer demand, wine producers are preparing for potential bankruptcies or shuttering of trade purchaser businesses at the distribution and retail levels. This article explores how alcohol beverage producers should prepare for trade disruption caused by bankruptcies. Bankruptcy is governed by federal law, and bankruptcy cases are exclusively handled in federal bankruptcy courts. When a business files for bankruptcy, its creditors (including suppliers with unpaid invoices) face significant uncertainty as to their ability to get paid. Alcohol beverage producers should be aware of three key issues that will impact their contracting relationships and products in the market in the context of the bankruptcy of a distributor or retailer: (1) the effect of an automatic stay; (2) the potential for recouping certain inventory; and (3) the potential of having certain payments received from the entity filing for b

In this WIN Insiders special edition, George interviews Pat Delong, managing partner and founder of Azur Associates, a wine industry consultancy specializing in mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory. Pat shares his 30-year wine business journey and how Azur evolved into a full-service firm combining consulting with M&A expertise. The conversation covers critical topics including wine industry real estate and brand valuations, preparation strategies for owners considering exits, market oversupply impacts, and the influx of new private investors with long-term horizons. Learn More: https://www.azur-associates.com/.

In this WIN Insiders episode, George interviews Beth Vukmanic, Executive Director of Vineyard Team and manager of the SIP Certified sustainable vineyard and winery certification programs. Beth shares her fascinating journey from professional harpist (and being born in a Volkswagen Rabbit!) to leading one of California’s most important sustainability initiatives. She explains how Vineyard Team, founded in 1994 by progressive growers, promotes sustainable farming through education, collaboration, and the SIP Certified program that emphasizes accountability in social equity, soil health, water efficiency, and habitat preservation. Beth discusses the program’s evolution from a 1996 self-assessment checklist to a comprehensive certification now spanning California, Michigan, and Oregon, plus its growing market value as consumers demand sustainably produced wines. She also shares her passion for fitness through her “Beth Size” brand and highlights the One of Ours Me

The wine industry is facing a demand reset. For decades, wineries could count on an audience to buy based on tradition, prestige, and a deep love for the nuances of terroir. But that audience is aging out. The next generation of wine drinkers—Millennials and Gen Z—aren’t just looking for a great bottle. They’re looking for experiences, identity, and values. This isn’t a small shift. It’s a fundamental change in how and why people buy wine. The wineries that adapt will thrive. The ones that don’t? They’ll be wondering why their sales keep slipping. Let’s break down what matters to these younger consumers—and how wineries can shift their branding to meet them where they are. Millennials Buy Experiences, Not Just Wine Millennials (born 1981–1996) grew up in a world where owning things became less important than experiencing things. Travel, concerts, pop-ups, exclusive tastings, and curated events—these are

In this episode of the WIN Insider Series, George Christie sits down with Dominic “Dom” Engels, the newly appointed CEO of Bronco Wine Company, one of the largest family-owned wineries in the U.S. Dom shares his unconventional path into the wine industry, shaped by leadership roles at The Wonderful Company, Stone Brewing, and Revolution Foods. He offers a candid perspective on how the wine industry must evolve to stay relevant—by embracing innovation, agility, and a modern leadership mindset. Dom discusses Bronco’s transition from founder-led management to a more professionalized structure, and how the company is working to build an enduring institution beyond its roots. From generational shifts and changing consumer preferences to the need for clarity, focus, and bold decision-making, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to lead—and adapt—in a time of transformation.

In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George sits down with Chris Goblet, Executive Director of the New Mexico Wine and Grape Growers Association. From humble beginnings as a server in an Italian restaurant to leading one of the country’s oldest (and most surprising) wine regions, Chris shares his inspiring and unconventional journey through the world of wine and craft beverages. With a mix of bold ideas, statewide support, and infectious energy, Chris is helping transform perceptions of New Mexico wine—both locally and nationally. Tune in to hear how one region is embracing history, challenging assumptions, and manifesting a wine future like no other.

In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George Christie sits down with Honore Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing at Wine Institute, to explore her incredible career path, the evolving landscape of global wine trade, and how California wineries can unlock export opportunities. Honore reflects on her early days in the industry, from working at small family-run wineries to leading Sonoma County Vintners and now playing a key role in building the global reputation of California wine. She shares powerful insights on how wineries of all sizes can succeed internationally, the role of Wine Institute in policy and advocacy, and the tools available to help producers grow their reach beyond U.S. borders. Honore will be presenting at the Wine Sales Symposium on May 14 at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, CA. Use promo code HONORE2025 for a discount and register at winesalessymposium.com.

In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George sits down with the multi-talented and ever-inspiring Deborah Parker Wong — journalist, educator, speaker, wine judge, and newly minted sensory scientist. Deborah shares her remarkable journey from fashion and tech PR to becoming a key voice in the wine industry. She opens up about what drives her work, why she went back to school for her master’s in enology and viticulture, and how she’s connecting Gen Z students to wine through creative, research-driven teaching. Watch now and be inspired by one of the most dynamic voices in the wine world.

Hard to believe, we are a quarter of the way through 2025! It seems like just yesterday we were starting 2025, but here we are, 90 days in to the "new" year. Here are a few things you may have missed, things that caught our eye (or ear), and a few actionable ideas for the next quarter. 2024 Annual Report Card - WISE Mystery Shopping Triple Score In early 2025, we released our Annual Triple Score Report Card. While Mystery Shopping covers over 75 criteria points, these three are perhaps the most important. How often are our Mystery Shoppers asked buy wine, how often are they warmly invited to join the wine club, and how often are they asked to keep in touch via joining the mailing list? In 2024, we saw a dramatic decline in Triple Score averages. In particular, data collection is critically low at just 18%—meaning we’re only asking fewer than one in five guests to keep the conversation going. Wine clubs work because people DO like to be part of them (did you know