New Yeasts, Yeast Derivatives, and More Innovation doesn’t hit pause, and it doesn't always wait for the Handbook! We’re excited to introduce a few new products that weren’t quite ready for the handbook, but are here just in time for harvest. LEVEL2 SALVA™ Non-Saccharomyces Yeast Specific bioprotection against Brettanomyces, including SOâ‚‚-resistant strains.   LALVIN ICV MILADY™ Yeast Balance and varietal fruit expression in red wines. CAUDALYS™  Yeast Derivative Nutrient Enhances minerality and lengthens finish in white and rosé wines. QI FINE™  Fining Agent Clarifies and removes astringent and oxidized phenolic compounds; non-animal alternative to PVPP. All New Winemaking Products Download our full New Products Brochure to explore all the latest additions this year.  Download PDF

Depending upon where you are in the country, it’s no secret that independent liquor stores are fighting for their very survival. And yet, every day of the week, wine and spirits vendors darken their doors, intending to “present” the items on their quote sheets. It can’t be easy being a package store owner these days. Wouldn’t it be great if ALL sellers of wine and spirits flipped the “selling” model on its ear and focused on what the package store owner wants instead of what they want? In this spirit, we spoke to some of our package store owner fans, who now present the six things every package store owner wants (and how to give it to them).  1) A mutually-beneficial relationship It could be due to the intense pressure to sell in a ridiculously overcrowded, competitive market, but our industry's buyer-seller relationship is very one-sided. The seller pushes what THEY need to sell, not what the buyer truly wants.  From the buyer&#

Wine and spirits distributors do not always get full credit for their myriad of services offered.  With portfolios bursting at the seams, their role in the 3-tier system is difficult. We at Andavi Solutions would like to recognize some of the critical functions distributors perform on behalf of their supplier partners.  1) Training and Education Distributor sales teams include some of the most highly trained professionals in the industry. The training opportunities distributors provide are not solely for internal stakeholders. They also play a critical role in the education and training of their supplier partners.  It is sad but true to say that many brand owners do not properly train their people, and by default, distributors end up picking up the slack. Another vital area of training distributors provide is forecasting and inventory management (more on this below).  Distributors do a lot of staff training (far more than most suppliers), and they don&rs

Stop by the InnoVint booth to talk with the team about bringing your winery into InnoVint’s modern lens of winemaking management. The InnoVint team is excited to promote: 3D tank maps, wineries can create a digital replica of their tank maps. NEW Commerce7 integration enables wineries to create a grape-to-bottle-to-DTC-sales solution. The COGS tracking module provides granular, real-time visibility into actual winery production costs by lot, broken down by cost category. With full traceability, combat stringent label regulations and catch oversights that could lead to audits. TTB Reporting with just a few clicks! While at the booth, remember to grab a sticker of InnoVint’s new company mascot, Cooper, the winery dog! InnoVint has been revolutionizing vineyard and winery operations since 2013 with the leading winery production software. The company was founded and built by winemakers, so they understand the wine industry’s unique challenges. And with over 5,000 winery

Afternoon Brief, June 14th

Wine Tourism Roars Back in Napa and Sonoma: After more than a year of shutdowns, reopenings, reclosings, fires, smoke and surging e-commerce and Zoom tastings, Napa and Sonoma wineries are seeing visitors come back to taste in person. Thus far, arrivals have exceeded many locals’ most optimistic expectations...

Berlin Packaging, the world's largest hybrid packaging supplier, has expanded their in-stock wine bottle offerings to better serve small and mid-size wineries and to ensure supply chain stability for winemakers of all sizes.  This broadened portfolio reflects Berlin Packaging's glass expertise, supply chain excellence and commitment to world-class customer service with the addition of a variety of premium glass wine bottle designs ready for immediate shipment.  The wide variety of packaging options accommodate any vintage and varietal, with claret, tapered claret and burgundy styles available in both clear and antique green, with cork and ROPE finish.  They can be purchased directly from BerlinPackaging.com or through the company's global network of 150+ sales team members. "The pandemic, tariffs and other factors have disrupted the glass market over the last year, making in-stock packaging more important than ever.  This new wine bottle inventory w

With the proliferation of so many brands in the marketplace, the push for different and interesting labels to grab consumer attention is more important than ever. Considering something unique is a great way to help your label stand out. The term “innovation labels” is a term used for anything new, different, or creative in the world of label packaging. Perhaps you’d like to explore a label with an unusual stock, like wood or velvet? Or maybe add a resin seal or specialty ink to your label? Or possibly use standard embellishment options like emboss or foil stamping in a more striking, innovative way?  While the innovation possibilities at MCC are numerous (and growing all the time), the process to ensure success is easily navigated with mindful planning. Below are some tips for creating a successful innovative label:  Establish the desired result of the innovation.  Knowing how you’d like the final product to look, feel, and perform is the m