In this WIN Insider interview, George speaks with Lauren Wong, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Aperture Vineyards & Winery, ahead of the Wine Sales Symposium on May 13th in Sonoma County. Lauren shares her journey from luxury fragrance brands to wine marketing, influenced by her father’s work as a renowned wine label designer. She discusses Aperture’s brand philosophy of combining high-quality wines with inclusive, approachable marketing and addresses the evolving challenges wineries face in post-COVID marketing—emphasizing creativity, adaptability, and innovation. A key focus is strategic partnerships for the symposium and Lauren explains how partnerships enhance brand exposure, reinforce values, and create collaborative opportunities that benefit all parties. She encourages wineries of all sizes to actively pursue partnerships by understanding their brand’s value and aligning with partners’ goals—including creative, non-monetary collaborations with local businesses, cha

The competition was fierce at this year's PACK DESIGN AWARDS.  Saverglass is proud to celebrate Seven Hills Winery and Bokisch Vineyards for their outstanding packaging choices. We extend our sincere appreciation to our customers and supply chain partners for their hard work and collaboration. Congratulations to everyone involved! Seven Hills Winery (Walla Walla, Washington, USA) BEST CLASSIC FORMAT 3rd PLACE: Defiant Chapter 01, 2024 Vintage: $255 Saverglass Designed MERVEILLEUSE glass bottle | Complete package design by Stranger & Stranger JUDGES' COMMENTS: "Definitely a creative look." "Gorgeous design, love the blue wax and the label. For a cult following, it works. " "They are going for the SQN bottling here and for the same customer. This package tells me what the wine profile is without ever tasting it. This bottle design will look great in a collector's cellar. This feels like a 98pt wine!" Bokisch Vineyards (Lodi, California,

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

Wine Sales Symposium 2025’s roundtable of writers and PR experts explores how storytelling and publicity can shift the narrative. By Laurie Wachter Carl GiavantiDoes media coverage really help sell wine?  That’s the question the roundtable of top wine journalists and PR experts will set out to answer in Mastering Modern Media: How to Secure & Leverage Media Coverage That Drives Sales, one of the first sessions at the May 14th Wine Sales Symposium in Santa Rosa, CA. Moderator Carl Giavanti, a winery publicist and author of Wine Industry Advisor’s interview series, Turning the Tables, will lead the panel discussion by asking six questions about the benefits and pitfalls of media coverage.   What role does media coverage play in helping drive awareness and, ultimately, sales? “It’s always been about storytelling,” says Giavanti, “and even more so today when there’s so much competition, variety and options for adult beverages. Y

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.

Biogenic Amine Toxicity: A Reality for Histamine-Sensitive Consumers

What are biogenic amines and why can they be a problem? By Deborah Parker Wong Most informed wine consumers have accepted the fact that sulfur isn’t the root cause of […]

Navigating the Sustainability Landscape: Which Certifications Matter?

As the labyrinth of wine industry certifications continues to expand, consumers often find themselves without a compass. By Deborah Parker Wong   Nearly half of American adult drinkers of beverage […]

Afternoon Brief, September 8th

One of California’s Most Influential Modern Wineries, Dirty & Rowdy, Is Ending After 11 Years: One of California’s most cutting-edge wine brands is dissolving. Napa’s Dirty & Rowdy Wine Co., which has developed a devoted following for its experimental, genre-defying Mourvedres, is shutting down after 11 years...

We are searching for an international Business Development Manager/Commercial Manager to help us establish this great brand in new markets. Our priority is first and foremost the Nordic and European market, our end goal is International success. We believe the right candidate has international experience from the drinks business and knows how to find opportunities and create that into successes. We are extremely ambitious, so we expect nothing less of the right candidate! See more details and apply here:https://www.wineindustry.jobs/jobs/41459860-business-development-manager-at-wongraven-wines-vingruppen-as