155 Foss Creek Circle, Healdsburg, CA, United States of America, 95448
In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George Christie sits down with Honore Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing at Wine Institute, to explore her incredible career path, the evolving landscape of global wine trade, and how California wineries can unlock export opportunities.
Honore reflects on her early days in the industry, from working at small family-run wineries to leading Sonoma County Vintners and now playing a key role in building the global reputation of California wine. She shares powerful insights on how wineries of all sizes can succeed internationally, the role of Wine Institute in policy and advocacy, and the tools available to help producers grow their reach beyond U.S. borders.
Honore will be presenting at the Wine Sales Symposium on May 14 at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, CA. Use promo code HONORE2025 for a discount and register at winesalessymposium.com.
In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George sits down with the multi-talented and ever-inspiring Deborah Parker Wong — journalist, educator, speaker, wine judge, and newly minted sensory scientist.
Deborah shares her remarkable journey from fashion and tech PR to becoming a key voice in the wine industry. She opens up about what drives her work, why she went back to school for her master’s in enology and viticulture, and how she’s connecting Gen Z students to wine through creative, research-driven teaching.
Watch now and be inspired by one of the most dynamic voices in the wine world.
In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George sits down with Dave McIntyre, a renowned wine writer, as we dive deep into the evolving landscape of the wine industry. From emerging trends to shifting consumer preferences, Dave shares his perspectives on what’s shaping the market today. He also discusses sustainability in winemaking and offers expert tips for both wine enthusiasts and professionals looking to stay ahead in the industry.
Our Founder & CEO, George Christie was interviewed by Barbara Fitzgerald on the Italian Wine Podcast. Listen to this insightful podcast about winning brand strategies and insights on customer engagement.
Italian Wine Podcast Episode
In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George Christie sits down with Randy Tucker, Chairman & CEO of Wineshipping, to discuss the critical role of logistics in the wine industry and how wineries can optimize their direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment strategies. 🍷📦
Randy shares insights on what sets Wineshipping apart, including its expansive nationwide fulfillment network, cutting-edge tracking and logistics technology, and the importance of preserving a winery’s brand experience from order to delivery. He also highlights how successful wineries are leveraging technology, improving efficiency, and adapting to industry challenges to drive growth.
Beyond logistics, Randy dives into company culture, leadership strategies, and mentorship, revealing how strong workplace values and communication impact success at every level. Whether you’re a winery looking to refine your shipping operations or an industry professional seeking expert insights, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways!
GROWING FORWARD:
Navigating Workforce Challenges
Insights on Migrant Labor and Immigration Compliance
Session Panel:Ally Bolour, Alex Carl, | |
Wednesday, March 12th | |
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2025 Conference Sponsors |
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Event Type: Conference
Event Date: 03/12/2025
Location: Online
Session 1: Navigating Workforce Challenges: Insights on Migrant Labor and Immigration Compliance
Broadcast Date: March 12th, 2024 – 10:00 am (PT)
The Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies pose a significant challenge for agricultural employers. Initiatives aimed at mass deportations of undocumented immigrants can lead to labor shortages in sectors like agriculture that are heavily reliant on immigrant labor. In California, heightened immigration enforcement has already caused a substantial decrease in field workers reporting for duty, with reports indicating that up to 75% of workers did not show up following intensified raids. These policies may exacerbate existing labor shortages and threaten the timely harvesting of crops and disrupt farming operations.
Join us for a comprehensive session on how to secure your labor force and best to remain compliant with federal immigration laws in the Trump era. We will discuss nonimmigrant as well as immigrant visa options for your employees as well as how to best avoid a DHS audit of your HR files.
The presentation will cover:
Session Panel:
In this episode of Wine Industry Insiders, George Christie interviews Rebecca Hopkins, wine marketing expert and founder of A Balanced Glass and Rebecca Hopkins Wine. 🍷 Rebecca shares her journey from McLaren Vale, Australia, to becoming a leader in wine PR, sales, and storytelling. She discusses the importance of authenticity in marketing, the role of tasting room staff, and the evolving media landscape.
Rebecca also dives into mindful drinking, the rise of non-alcoholic wines, and how wine professionals can maintain balance in an alcohol-centric industry. Tune in for a captivating conversation on navigating the wine business and fostering industry wellness!
In this episode, George sits down with Dr. Liz Thach, MW, President of Wine Market Council where she shares her incredible journey through the world of wine and education. From her adventurous upbringing, including writing a children’s book inspired by her father’s crane research, to her groundbreaking achievement as the first woman in California to earn the Master of Wine title, Liz’s story is one of passion and perseverance. She reflects on her transition from the corporate world to teaching at Sonoma State University and her love of exploring regional wine cultures while traveling the U.S. and abroad.
Tune in to hear how Liz’s dedication to education, innovation, and listening to life’s opportunities has shaped her remarkable career in wine.
Wine Industry Network (WIN) is THE leading business to business resource for the North American wine industry providing a collection of services, subscriptions, and events designed to keep industry professionals informed about current trends and industry news, as well as the latest products, services, jobs, and innovations in the production, viticulture, sales, marketing, and management categories.
Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
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President & CEO | George Christie | george@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 101 |
Vice President | Tami Christie | tami@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 103 |
Senior Director of Operations | Nick Young | nick@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 100 |
Director of Marketing Services & Membership | Kim Badenfort | kim@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 104 |
Director of Marketing | Buffy Schaezlein | buffy@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 102 |
Project & Events Coordinator | Samantha Stephey | samantha@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 107 |
Membership Coordinator | Kimberly Pascale | kimberly@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 106 |
Membership Coordinator | Stephanie Lozinto | stephanie@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 108 |
Business Development | Adrian Tamblin | adrian@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-433-2557 | 105 |
Co-Founder | Elizabeth Slater | e@wineindustrynetwork.com | 707-953-1289 |
Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wine Industry Network | 155 Foss Creek Circle, Healdsburg | CA | United States of America | 95448 |