As the newly crowned NCAA basketball national champions make their media rounds, you might think that NIL is just about athletes getting paid to play. But NIL is a legal concept that encompasses an individual's right of publicity and allows all individuals, not just student-athletes, to control and profit from the commercial use of their identity NIL, short for Name, Image, and Likeness, has grown far beyond endorsement deals for athletes. It’s about the core pieces of your identity: your name, your face, your voice, and the ways you present yourself to the world. In a digital world where anyone can build an audience (or be impersonated by AI), those things have real value for everyone. On March 26, 2026, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) launched a new resource page that centralizes guidance on navigating name, image, and likeness in connection with trademarks and related intellectual property issues. This is a helpful first stop for understanding how branding an

Traditional demand for wine has softened, buyers are pickier, and “default growth” is basically gone. Meanwhile, the consumer mindset has changed dramatically—wellness, moderation, and “I want to drink less but still drink well” is becoming the new normal. That combo is tough on the old playbook. But it’s also a huge opening for brands that are willing to pivot with intention (not panic). At BevZero, we see this moment as a reset: a chance to meet people where they are now—and build a portfolio that survives the slump and comes out stronger on the other side with non-alcoholic products. What’s Driving the Slump A few things are happening at once: Wellness is influencing purchase decisions more than ever. People aren’t necessarily “anti-wine”, they’re just more mindful about alcohol consumption. Curiosity has matured into expectation. Today’s no/low-alc shopper isn’t experimenting anymore, they ex

Marketing budgets may be getting leaner but visitor expectations sure are not. One of the smartest moves a winery can make isn't a bigger spend: it's a shared one. Pooling resources with neighboring wineries doesn't dilute your brand. It amplifies it, elevates your entire area as a destination, and gives visitors a richer experience that keeps them coming back. At HipMaps we create custom-designed maps with an app that help wineries amplify their marketing, enhance the visitor experience, and easily refer business to each other in a unique and engaging way. Here's how it works: a group of wineries — whether a formal association like Alexander Valley Winegrowers or an informal collection of neighbors — pools together to create one beautiful, branded map featuring all of their locations, in the style and branding that reflects their area. Hear from HipMaps Founder Rachel LeRoy, see examples of how Alexander Valley Winegrowers and others are utilizing their Hip

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

Labels do much more than identify a product. They communicate ingredients, allergens, safety warnings, and branding. When they’re wrong or poorly applied, the consequences are serious. Why Labels Matter Consumers rely on labels for everything from nutritional information to batch numbers. Clarity builds trust; errors erode it. In highly regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, a misprinted or misapplied label can lead to recall or fines. Building Trust Through Quality High‑quality labels signal professionalism and care. Durable materials, crisp printing, and precise placement create a positive impression. They also reduce waste and rework. Investing in reliable labelling equipment shows your commitment to quality. Common Compliance Pitfalls Missing allergens or ingredient details Inconsistent print quality or faded text Labels obstructing barcodes or tamper‑evident seals Wrong label on the wrong product Regular audits and modern equipment help avoid these issues. Machines with

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

A well-told story can transform casual buyers into lifelong fans. Your winery’s brand isn’t just about the wine—it’s about the moments it becomes a part of. The way your customers experience your brand, whether visiting your tasting room, joining your wine club, or opening a bottle at home, determines whether they come back for more.  Your Winery’s Story: More Than Just a Bottle of Wine What do you want people to feel when they experience your wine? Not just when they taste it—but when they visit your winery, when they join your club, when they open a bottle at home with friends. Do you want them to feel like they’re part of something special—a family tradition passed down for generations? Do you want them to feel like an insider—someone who discovered a bold, independent winery rewriting the rules? Do you want them to feel inspired—that every sip connects them to the land, the craft, and the passion behind it? Find Your

Par Then Bar Open Golf Tournament: Where Wine Industry Networking Meets Opportunity Beyond branding—connect with key decision-makers in a relaxed, high-impact setting The Par Then Bar Open® (PTBO) Golf Tournament, presented by APS Packaging & MBF North America, will be held on May 16, 2025, at Eagle Vines Golf Club in American Canyon. The tournament is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, so it is your chance to be part of an exclusive wine industry tradition that blends competition, camaraderie, and connection. This event is more than just a day on the greens—it’s a unique opportunity for wine industry vendors to build valuable relationships, enhance brand visibility, and foster meaningful relationships within the wine and spirits community.  Why Sponsor PTBO? Sponsoring PTBO isn’t just about having your logo on a sign—it’s about engaging directly with key decision-makers in a relaxed and social setting. With attendees ranging f

The wine industry is steeped in tradition, but let’s be real—it’s time to shake things up. Younger demographics aren’t buying into the same old wine marketing tricks or outdated experiences. Want to grab their attention (and their dollars)? Then it’s time to think bold, fun, and modern. You Don’t Have to Do It All—Start Small and Stay True to Your Brand Attracting younger wine lovers doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything or abandon your roots. Instead, consider making a few strategic shifts that align with your brand. Maybe your website keeps the traditional tasting notes, but you have fun with social media. Maybe your weekends are reserved for 21+ reservation-only tastings, but your weekdays are more relaxed and family-friendly. The key is finding what works for you and your audience. Now, let’s dive into some ideas. 1. Flex Your Wine Club Options Your wine club isn’t working for everyone. Sure, your loyal members lov

Herti US will be at Booth 1723 during the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium.  We are near the Tasting/Food Service Area, so while you have something to eat come visit us to talk about all our Aluminum Screwcap options for your brand.  We offer multiple sizes serving the wine industry with the ability to customize caps with your branding on side and top.  Hot foil, litho, embossing, debossing, etc. We can do it all and aid in making your mark in the industry! Herti US Unified Symposium Booth: 1723 For 30 years we have served our customers safely and reliably. We are committed to supporting business growth and economic development. The company offers high quality products and after sales service and traceability of products. Herti manufactures almost any possible dimension of aluminum closures and suggests packaging solutions to many clients producing wine, spirits, non alcoholic beverages, mineral water and olive oil. Herti offers closures with a diameter varying from 17 t