Archive for the ‘Wine News’ Category
Yesterday the wine industry woke up to the news that one of its key shipping/compliance/inventory management service firms, New Vine, went under. The disruptions this is causing among its many winery and retail clients, as well as consumers who receive shipments of wine via this operation, are significant. It appears that New Vine's demise was caused by the same thing that causes most other companies to shut down: Financial Crisis. Though I suspect the details of that financial crisis in…
Here is why Steve Heimoff is a good reporter and a compelling commentator. Today Steve wades into the issue of the theory of American Viticultural Areas and the process by which the TTB approaches the creation of these appellations. In this case, Steve ponders the implications of the TTB rejecting a petition to create a new sub-appellation of the Paso Robles AVA that would have designated the Westside of Highway as "Paso Robles Westside". This is a critical subject because…
Forgive me for being a deconstructionist so early in the day. But sometimes I can't help myself. At the recent Wine & Spirit Wholesalers Association Annual Convention that organization's leader told the gathering of wholesalers the following: “Within the industry it is no secret that we are the most vibrant, innovative and consumer friendly – yet responsible and accountable –system of distribution in the world. And now our voice is being heard." First things first. Wolf was referring to the…
If anyone wants to know why I've always loved the Internet, all you have to do is look at these three quotes, all published in various places on the Internet yesterday. This medium is always source of great humor and fascination for me. “'The updated information paints a portrait of an effective system that operates in every corner of the country and contributes mightily to the American economy,'said WSWA President and CEO Craig Wolf."The head of the Wine & Spirit…
I've got to believe that THIS is a step in the right direction and appropriate: A winery owning governor of California. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced his candidacy for California Governor the other day, putting him in a position, I believe, to be the first Winery-owning governor in California's history. Newsom is part owner of Napa Valley's Plumpjack Winery. He is also part owner of the recently opened Cade Winery on Napa Valley's Howell Mountain. It turns out that…
