It's July 1, which means you're about to start seeing "Christmas in July" everywhere. Retailers are already thinking about the holidays—even if it still feels like the middle of summer. Smart wineries should be doing the same. October, November, and December (OND) are your biggest sales months of the year. Holiday winery marketing doesn’t start in October—it starts now. They’re sprinting through Q3—right now—while everyone else is still daydreaming about hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies… you’ve got rosé in your glass and wine bundles to plan. Here's how to make the next 90 days count. 1. Clean Up Your Data — Because Bad Data Costs You Money This isn’t just about removing bounced emails. Bad data quietly drains OND revenue by blocking you from segmenting, targeting, or even reaching your customers. Your Move: Export your full email list (now, not later). Verify your SMS audience and make sure customer consent records are up to date. Use ChatGPT to help spot typos like gmaii.com

Come Over October is more than a campaign. It’s a growing movement to reconnect people with what wine has always represented: hospitality, culture, connection, and community. Join Karen MacNeil, Gino Colangelo, Kimberly Noelle Charles, and leaders from across the wine industry for a conversation about how wineries, distributors, retailers, media companies, and trade organizations are coming together to strengthen wine culture. Whether you’re discovering Come Over October for the first time or looking to expand your participation, you’ll leave with practical ideas, free resources, and a roadmap for joining the largest grassroots pro-wine movement in the world. Register Here.

What does that mean for the vintage? Budbreak came early to California this year, which by itself isn’t that strange. There are years when we’ve seen buds start to push by the end of February. But then what started as a warm February gave way to abnormally warm temperatures in March and early April. This accelerated phenological development even more. Traditionally, April 1st is the day when the count starts for growing degree days accumulation. But this year vines in many parts of the state already had more than a foot of growth by then, rendering this yearly measurement fairly useless as a comparison tool. By May 1st, I noticed bunch closure in a Central Coast vineyard…which in the words of the great Stephen Colbert, is just booboo banana bonkers. So what does a crazy early start mean for the vintage? What can we expect and why am I …cautiously optimistic? Water water everywhere… In truth, the growing season for grapes starts well before any buds push at all. I’m talking about winter

An exceptionally small 2025 grape harvest would help balance wine inventories and potentially stimulate grape demand next year There wasn’t much change in the complexion of the wine market in the third quarter. Sales continued to decline across channels and price points, though at varying rates. Some segments improved while others worsened. Wine exports continued to flag because of provincial bans in Canada.  I continue to believe the slump is mainly structural, particularly at the lower end of the market (see Page 3). But I also believe economic factors such as inflation and depressed consumer sentiment have played a role, and I expect wine sales to firm up once the economic backdrop improves. Unfortunately, we aren’t expecting much change in the economy, for better or worse, in the months ahead, so the wine market isn’t likely to see much improvement either.  2025 was a painful year for California grape growers. Weather was an issue, but the grape market p

Dry January is no longer just a health challenge or a new-year reset—it’s a global movement. But here’s the kicker: savvy brands know that real success in the no- and low-alcohol (No/Low) category comes from building momentum well beyond one month. At BevZero, we help our clients turn the buzz of January into a sustainable, year-round beverage strategy using expert product development, cutting-edge dealcoholization services, and full-spectrum beverage solutions. Let’s talk about how. Why Dry January Is Only the Beginning Dry January consistently delivers a spike in consumer interest, online searches, and sales for No/Low products—especially non-alcoholic wines, beers, and spirits. But interest doesn’t flatline in February. In fact, there are multiple high-impact moments throughout the year where brands can meet growing demand: Spring (March – May): Holidays like St. Patricks, Easter, and Mothers Day can be a great time to provide low or no

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

​​Come Over October 2.0: A Movement Goes International

"Do something!" That's my mantra when we face challenges, and there's no better example than Come Over October, an international promotion of wine as the beverage that has brought us [...]

October is calling; for friends, laughter, and raising a glass 🥂.  Check out Come Over October, a movement rooted in togetherness and authenticity.  For over six decades, we’ve crafted bottles that not only protect the wine inside, but also symbolize the value of quality, sustainability, and shared experience.  This October, we invite partners, customers, and colleagues to raise a glass with intention. Here’s to meaningful connections, thoughtful craftsmanship, and the role wine plays in bringing people together.