Green shoots: Is this a “transitional moment”? With spring getting underway, this month’s California Report assesses vineyard conditions, grape demand, and whether the bulk wine and grape markets are seeing the first tentative green shoots of  recovery: Is the industry in a “transitional moment” before growth returns later this year or next? We dive into recent reports that case-good sales declines in the US are slowing, using the latest SipSource US wholesale depletions data to pick out some sales trends. The convergence of pricing toward California-appellation levels on all but a select handful of wines theoretically enables bulk wine buyers to make their decisions based purely on which samples best meet their quality/character specifications. This has opened up product development and scope for wine companies to attack potential retail opportunities. With wine aisles growing shorter, this is a challenging time to “buy the dip” with inn

For winemakers and distillers, crafting exceptional beverages is only part of the journey. To ensure your product maintains its premium quality and reaches consumers in perfect condition, the preservation of both its taste and appearance is critical. This is where the often-overlooked factor of glass color comes into play. The color of your bottle can have a profound impact on the longevity, flavor stability, and overall appeal of your wine or spirit. By understanding how different glass colors protect against light damage, you can make more informed packaging choices that safeguard your product’s quality and enhance its shelf life. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind glass color and light exposure, explain how traditional and modern glass choices can protect your product, and provide insights into balancing practical preservation needs with aesthetic considerations. Whether you’re crafting aged whiskey or fine wine, the right glass color is more

COGS isn’t the sexiest topic, but your winery can’t afford to ignore it ‍Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) isn’t exactly a dinner-party topic—but your winery can’t afford to ignore it. It’s not just an accounting exercise; it’s the foundation of financial clarity. Whether you produce 500 or 50,000 cases, not knowing your true costs means flying blind when it comes to pricing, planning, and profitability. ‍In our interactions with winery operations of all sizes, we’ve grown convinced that you can’t afford not to know your COGS. Even boutique operations are running at a disadvantage if they don’t know how much it costs to make each of the wines that they sell. ‍What is COGS? And why is it difficult? ‍In its simplest definition, COGS includes all of the cost outlay required to produce each and every SKU coming from your winery. That includes raw materials, labor, packaging, and overhead. ‍Seems fairly str

The wine and spirits industry is standing on the precipice of a major design evolution. For years, “premium” was defined by weight, excess, and tradition. For 2026, a new definition of luxury is emerging; one that values intelligence over mass, and tactile storytelling over simple visual appeal. For brand owners and procurement leaders, staying ahead of these glass packaging trends in 2026 is no longer just about aesthetics; it is a matter of strategic survival. From the rise of “quiet luxury” and right-weighted glass to the complex pressures of global supply chains, the packaging decisions made today will define brand resilience tomorrow. In this forecast, we explore how sustainable luxury, ergonomic innovation, and smart supply chain strategies are reshaping the premium landscape, and how Global Package provides the specialized glass solutions needed to help you navigate this future. The State of Glass Packaging for Wine & Spirits At Global Package, we&r

This cork stopper adapts to standard bottles and combines practicality with sustainability, preserving all the advantages of cork. Amorim Cork relaunches Helix, the ergonomically disruptive natural cork closure that combines the convenience of twist opening with the authenticity, ritual, and sustainability of traditional cork. First introduced in 2013, Helix has surpassed 50 million units sold globally and is now available in an updated version compatible with all bottles featuring an 18.5mm neck (CETIE model), expanding its versatility across markets and wine styles. Helix was developed to address evolving consumer behavior while preserving the elements that define the wine experience. The closure opens without a corkscrew, yet retains the unmistakable “pop” of natural cork—maintaining the opening ritual consumers associate with quality and celebration. Its twist-and-pop design allows bottles to be easily reclosed, supporting fractional consumption and helping preserv

Paris, France – February 2026 — CCL Label, a global leader in premium labelling and packaging solutions, will present its latest innovations for the wine and spirits sector at Paris Packaging Week, held 5th and 6th February 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. At Booth C102, CCL Label will highlight how the future of premium packaging lies at the intersection of high-end design, advanced embellishment, and sustainability – responding to growing brand demand for packaging that delivers visual distinction while meeting environmental expectations. Redefining Premium Through Sustainable Innovation CCL Label’s showcase demonstrates how luxury and responsibility can coexist without compromise. The company will unveil a range of solutions designed to elevate brand storytelling and shelf impact while supporting more sustainable outcomes, including: Sustainable Shine: High-impact embellishments engineered with sustainability in mind Premium labels and slee

WHY DEMOGRAPHICS STILL MATTER IN WINE At first glance, it may seem logical to take a broad approach to wine marketing—after all, shouldn’t the goal be to sell wine to anyone who’s willing to buy it? Not exactly. In practice, marketing to “everyone” is a fast track to appealing to no one. You water down your message, misfire your tactics, and wind up wasting both budget and energy trying to reach people who were never going to buy from you in the first place. Smart marketing is selective, not scattershot. And that’s where demographics come in. At their core, demographics are just the quantifiable details about your customers—things like age, gender, income, education, and marital status. But in the hands of a capable marketer, demographics become strategic tools. They help decode how different consumers make decisions, what cultural cues they respond to, and how best to approach them with offers they’ll actually care about. Wine, with all

Another month of calm November typically marks the end of a new harvest and the middle of our busiest sales quarter. October’s government shutdown created unbelievable market uncertainty. But with the system back up and Thanksgiving almost normal, stability returned rather than the predicted surges or collapses by pundits from both sides. Still, questions remain about the future of our economic recovery prospects. For now, it is a reprieve, allowing us to regroup for the new year. Market dynamics The delayed reports from Commerce and the Bureau of Labor Statistics have started to trickle in, bringing some key takeaways: Unemployment is holding at 3.8%. Inflation easing to 2.3% YoY. Consumer spending down ~2% from Q3, but no hint of a cliff. As we close out the year and look to 2026, the focus will be on staying agile in both supply planning and capturing winery sales and marketing opportunities. The key trends persist: Steady demand, no major swings, and a growing gap between spe

Saxco, a leading provider of packaging solutions to the wine, spirits, beer and beverage industries, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Revino, a pioneer in reusable wine bottle systems, to deliver sustainable glass packaging choices for wine producers throughout the United States. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation within the wine industry.  Saxco has been at the precipice of innovative packaging solutions since its inception over 90 years ago. Continuing in its legacy, Saxco is now an official distributor partner of Revino’s acclaimed reusable wine bottles. The company has seen broad adoption with more than 100 winery partners and over one million bottles in circulation. Revino’s platform simplifies adoption of proven reuse models, helping wineries significantly reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing brand integrity. Working with Saxco provides wineries with

Over thirty-five years of crafting wine bottle labels in Napa Valley has taught us something essential: wine packaging trends aren’t just about following fashion – they’re about understanding how design psychology translates into purchasing decisions. When a winery invests in thoughtful packaging, they’re not just decorating bottles; they’re building brand equity that drives measurable sales growth. If you’re looking for insight into where packaging is headed and how it shapes the customer experience, we invite you to read along. Here’s a glimpse of what we cover: Why Wine Packaging Design Drives Sales for Wineries – How packaging functions as a silent sales team and the shift from shelf appeal to brand storytelling. How Packaging Impacts First-Time vs. Repeat Purchases – What captures new buyers’ attention and keeps loyal customers coming back. Segmenting Wine Consumers by Packaging Preferences – What different dem