Afternoon Brief: Nominations Open for the 14th Annual WINnovation Awards

Wine Industry Network created the WINnovation Awards as a way to identify and honor wine industry suppliers and service providers that have developed ground-breaking products, practices, and have contributed to the advancement of the North American wine industry...

Join Azur Associates for an exclusive discussion of their latest Wine Market + M&A Review.

This focused webinar examines the forces reshaping the wine industry—from the ongoing demand reset and shifting consumer expectations to structural changes impacting route-to-market and transaction activity.

Azur’s team will share their perspective on what lies ahead, including where opportunities are emerging for wine businesses and investors in a more disciplined and segmented market.

Essential viewing for wineries, investors, and industry leaders navigating strategic decisions in today’s complex environment.

Register here.

Afternoon Brief: Republic National Distributing Company and Reyes Beverage Group Announce Successful Closing of Transaction

The completed transaction includes the following markets: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The transaction in Hawaii is still subject to receipt of certain remaining regulatory approvals...

Wine Industry Afternoon Brief, May 28

CDFA tackles invasive GWSS found at Costco garden centers, tasting room training strategies that boost sales, and growing demand for natural and organic wines.

Proper Training in Your Tasting Room Can Increase Sales and Employee Retention

I’ve done a lot of tasting room evaluations, and one thing that always baffles me is the poor initial and ongoing training for new and veteran staff.

Afternoon Brief: American Wine Truth in Labeling Bill Advances to CA Senate

Late yesterday, the California State Assembly approved AB 1585 (Connolly & Ransom), legislation that would require wine labeled “American” and sold or bottled in California to be made entirely from American-grown grapes. The bill passed with bipartisan support on a 67-0 vote and now advances to the California State Senate...

Afternoon Brief: Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Detected on Grapevine Plants Sold at Napa Costco, Raising Alarm for Wine Industry

The invasive vineyard-destroying glassy-winged sharpshooter was recently detected on grapevine plants sold at Costco Wholesale in Napa, prompting a call from Napa County officials for community members to check plants they purchased at the store for the presence of the pest...

A 3-Step Plan for Data-Driven Brand Turnarounds

When I assumed the role of Faculty Director of the Wine Business Institute, the weight of expectation to solve the wine industry's mounting challenges was

Afternoon Brief: How the Wine Industry Slump Is Impacting North Coast Winery and Vineyard Values

The North Coast wine industry is confronting what market analysts and land appraisers describe as one of the most severe and prolonged downturns in decades. The contraction is reshaping everything from vineyard values and grape demand to distribution systems and merger-and-acquisition activity...

Afternoon Brief: The Story Behind the American Wine Crisis

The last few years have felt like a tidal wave of woe for U.S. wine producers, but what’s really going on? Winery professionals and industry analysts weigh in...