#winery-market-development

#winery-market-development

Flocks of sheep graze on the weeds under the vines, and a falcon beats its wings as it staves off flocks of birds. Their efforts do double-duty: keeping away invasives and pests, while attracting wine country visitors eager for a unique experience.

Beginning April 24, eligible customers can check one case of wine (up to 12 bottles) at no additional charge from select West Coast locations, including Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, the heart of California's Wine Country.

The minerality is off the charts, exuberantly defining the wine after a barrel fermentation of nine months on the lees in 85% American and 15% French oak. This unicorn wine demonstrates exceptional quality and craftsmanship in its production and flavor profile.

Former consort braved the newly reincarnated Absolute Bagels & bailed when he found 45 people in line, in the cold. One of our oldest friends, who retreated to the Bay Area long ago, always used to say: "The more New Yorkers get fucked, the more they like it." Now with more Instagram...

In the quiet vineyards and hills of Northern California, few names resonate with the same sense of purpose and dedication as Robert White Napa. Known for his decades-long commitment to trauma and general surgery, community health, and regional leadership, he represents a bridge between clinical excellence and civic engagement. His career and personal journey tell a story of faith, resilience, and a steady devotion to the well-being of others.

the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rules, set by the USDA, declared that importers-that's right, the firms that typically handle sales and logistics, not just the winemakers- also need to be certified organic in order for the wines to retain the label. According to a spokesperson from the USDA, the regulations are an effort to "better protect organic businesses and consumers" and "keep fraud out of the market."

We start every morning here with a glass of sparkling wine. The concept of embracing life is essential to us and the wine we make. For lovers of the grape, the saying serves as a reminder to enjoy every moment to its fullest because we only experience our lives once for a very short time.

"Five to ten years ago, sustainability was often limited to buzzwords or isolated practices," he says. "Today, it is holistic, intentional, and deeply embedded into every aspect of the visitor experience."

Only eight miles long by three miles wide, the small wine region established its AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 1982, just one year after Napa Valley. It's only one-tenth the size of its famous neighbor, yet the diversity in tasting rooms is impressive. You can travel from a blue Victorian house to gorgeous gardens, a vintage gas station-turned-tasting room, and even an award-winning modern architectural masterpiece all within minutes.

Jesse Hall can't remember a time he wasn't inseparable from the sea. Born and raised in Sonoma County, Hall spent his youth surfing the Marin coast and sailing San Francisco Bay. By his early 20s, he was shaping surfboards in San Diego, where he rode the mellow waves of Pacific Beach. Winemaking is similar to surfing in that you're living moment by moment, said Hall, founder of Seawolf Wines in Mendocino County's Yorkville Highlands.

Jesse Hall can't remember a time he wasn't inseparable from the sea. Born and raised in Sonoma County, Hall spent his youth surfing the Marin coast and sailing San Francisco Bay. By his early 20s, he was shaping surfboards in San Diego, where he rode the mellow waves of Pacific Beach. "Winemaking is similar to surfing in that you're living moment by moment," said Hall, founder of Seawolf Wines in Mendocino County's Yorkville Highlands.

In 2025, legacy Oregon craft brewery Rogue Ales & Spirits filed for bankruptcy and shuttered operations, California uprooted 38,134 acres of wine grapes (in order to cope with overproduction and stymie future excess crops), and Jim Beam announced it would cease production of bourbon at its main distillery for the duration of 2026. An increasing push toward sobriety has flooded the market with nonalcoholic alternatives to traditional tipples.

Two pillars of the Santa Cruz Mountains wine region passed away late last year, taking their stories with them: Robert (Bob) Mullen, who founded Woodside Vineyards in 1963, and Dr. Thomas Fogarty, renowned inventor of the balloon catheter, who also founded Thomas Fogarty Winery in 1981. Mullen died on Nov. 24, 2025, after celebrating his 99th birthday in February. He wanted to make it to 100, says his wife, Marsha Campbell. But his body just gave out.

Gallo is aligning parts of our operations with our longterm business strategy to ensure we remain wellpositioned for future success, the company said in a statement emailed to this news organization. As part of this process, we made the difficult decision to reduce certain Wine Country operations. The layoffs are scheduled to occur on April 15, the WARN letters show. All affected employees are receiving personalized support, transition packages, and opportunities to explore other roles within Gallo, the company said.

Romance and renewal are on the menu now and through February. It's a time to recharge and get moving on shaping a successful 2026. But that doesn't mean you can't slow down and enjoy an evening sip after a long day, or crack open a bottle with a loved one and celebrate the moment. These unique California reds offer an opportunity to relax and toast to finding joy in the new year.

The Old Vine Registry, the world's largest database of landmark vineyards, is approaching 9,500 listings, nearing its goal of 10,000 vineyards by June 2027. In 2010, wine critic Jancis Robinson and writer Tamlyn Currin began compiling a list of old vineyards, which launched as a crowdsourced database in 2023. Searchable by country, region, vineyard name, grape variety and more, the registry's website provides a remarkable look at many of the world's most venerable vines.

As an editor and writer who regularly covers the world of nonalcoholic drinks, I have tasted more than my fair share of booze-free wines. Much like with regular wine, the results have been mixed some are bitter or super sour, or even worse, smell like nothing. But I've also had the pleasure of drinking alcohol-free wines that scratched the same itch as a top-notch riesling or champagne.