Understanding what your business is worth plays an important role in effective exit planning. This valuation-centric session explores how valuation informs exit strategy and decision-making, and why early insight into value is critical to achieving stronger outcomes. Attendees will gain perspective on how valuation considerations shape exit planning long before a deal is on the table. Key Insights and Takeaways: Why business owners often misunderstand the true value of their company Common valuation myths that can derail exit expectations How normalization adjustments impact reported earnings and value The difference between valuation multiples and real cash flow performance How strategic and financial buyers evaluate businesses differently What valuation insights mean for timing, structure, and exit readiness

With rising costs and complex supply chain, companies in the food and beverage (F&B) industry may find themselves at a disadvantage if they lose cost visibility and if the accounting system and operational controls aren’t tightly aligned. Operating in a highly-competitive market and understanding your company’s cost structure is not just about financial reporting—it’s a strategic advantage. Explore common cost accounting challenges that face the F&B industry and some practical ways to address them. Communicating and understanding that product costing is not just an accounting issue but rather a responsibility of every department is imperative for the company to be successful. 1. Volatile Raw Material Prices Agricultural products like wheat, dairy, sugar, proteins, coffee beans, and cocoa can be highly volatile due to various factors that impact their price which can include climate conditions, regulatory changes, geopolitical situations, and currency fluctuations. If not accoun

The release of the latest report from Azur Associates provides one of the clearest assessments of the current state of the wine industry. The report’s message is direct: this is not simply a temporary slowdown or another cycle the industry can wait out. The market is undergoing a structural reset.That perspective aligns with much of the data we have seen from Silicon Valley Bank, Rabobank, and other industry sources over the past few years. Demand has softened, inventory levels have increased, and younger consumers are approaching alcohol very differently from previous generations. However, where Azur stands apart is in its interpretation of what these trends actually mean for the future of wine. The report makes a strong case that the industry is moving toward a much smaller, significantly more competitive market. Consumption patterns have changed, and the assumptions that supported growth for decades are no longer reliable or realistic. Consumers are drinking less frequently, explori

Oh sure, there’s a ton of romance and history in the origins of winemaking. And every boutique enterprise, no matter how large or small, has a charming tale to tell about their artisan craft and how it all got started. But at the end of the day, wineries live or die by their numbers No matter how compelling the story or how good the wine, if the numbers don’t work, the business is bound to fail. To avoid that, it’s imperative for wineries to have rock-solid data on their day-to-day fiscal operations so they’re able to determine the overall health of their organization. That’s where having the right financial infrastructure in place becomes critical. Set Up for Wine Industry Protea Financial is an outsourced, operational financial partner intentionally focused on the complexities and challenges of wineries. Winery owners need accurate bookkeeping, timely reporting and proactive inventory management in order to drive profitability. With 12+ years in the business, Protea Financial

WHAT: The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2025 is a barometer for the wine and grape industry, containing prices and tons of wine grapes crushed. The Crush Report provides growers and wineries insight into the inventory position for the California wine business as a whole, and can influence market dynamics for the current bulk wine and grape markets as well as potential impacts at the consumer level. WHEN: CDFA is scheduled to release the Crush Report at 12:00PM PST on Friday, March 13th, 2026.ANALYSIS: A historically small crop coupled with below break-even spot market grape pricing compounds wine industry headwinds. For the second consecutive year, the California Crush Report will reflect a wine industry navigating a significant supply-and-demand imbalance. While actual tons harvested remained historically light across many regions in 2025, the primary driver of market instability is the sustained decline in consumer demand and

Selling your business is a monumental decision. Whether you’re ready to retire, pursue new ventures, or capitalize on your business’s value, the process requires careful planning and preparation. Selling a business is more than a financial transaction; it’s a personal one, too. Your hard work and dedication have built something remarkable, and transitioning that legacy deserves a thoughtful approach. This guide will walk you through the key steps to prepare for a sale, maximize the value of your business, and ensure you’re ready for what comes next. Are You Truly Ready to Sell? The first step in selling your business is determining whether you’re ready to part ways. This involves both financial readiness and personal readiness. Financial readiness requires an honest evaluation of the funds you’ll need for the next stage of your life. Can the sale price meet your financial goals, whether it’s supporting a new venture or funding your re

Before you dive into the details, here are the nine questions every winery owner should be asking. These will help you focus on key issues and quickly determine if you are getting the information you need to make timely decisions about your winery.  The Questions Are we capitalizing the right costs into inventory? Are we using the correct method for tax and book inventory? Are we taking advantage of all the tax benefits available to wineries? Do we understand our gross margin by sales channel? How are we tracking wine losses and blends? When are we recognizing revenue and expenses? Does our chart of accounts reflect how a winery operates? Do our systems support accurate, timely reporting? Are we showing this year’s vintage costs on the P&L without overstating expenses? Full Article Winery accounting is different, some might even say complicated (or worse.) If your internal team or outside CPA is treating your winery like a typical product business, you could be missing c

In this WIN Insiders special edition, George interviews Pat Delong, managing partner and founder of Azur Associates, a wine industry consultancy specializing in mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory. Pat shares his 30-year wine business journey and how Azur evolved into a full-service firm combining consulting with M&A expertise. The conversation covers critical topics including wine industry real estate and brand valuations, preparation strategies for owners considering exits, market oversupply impacts, and the influx of new private investors with long-term horizons. Learn More: https://www.azur-associates.com/.

A private label can be a powerful tool for your business. Private labels have been utilized in the food and beverage industry for many decades.  Whether you are a distributor, retailer, restaurant, or other business in the beverage or hospitality industry, this can be an important part of your sales program. This can allow you to increase control relating to quality, supply, costs and branding. Identify the Goals for Your Label The objective of your label is one of the first items to define. There may be several reasons that you are looking to create a private label. These could include the following: Deliver exactly the type of wine your customers are looking for. Create a selection of wine that provides a unique set of offerings that differentiates you in the marketplace. Increase your profit margin by controlling supply costs. Gain control of your wine quality by evaluating wines and blends prior to bottling. Grow your existing brand exposure. Build your company’s valuat