Good early interest in the Southern Hemisphere's 2026 wines The Southern Hemisphere’s 2026 vintages have come onto what feel like fairly active bulk markets, although a great majority of activity consists of enquiries into, and sampling of, the new wines. While it remains questionable how many of these discussions will translate into transactions – and many of those that do are likely to be for smaller volumes than in the past – the very inquisitive reception for the new wines does support the view that current-vintage supplies are in a healthier supply-demand balance than previous vintages, some of which still languish on the market, inflating overall inventory numbers. As this month’s France page states: “With retail and HoReCa [Hotels-Restaurants-Catering] sales proceeding sluggishly, buyers have the time to wait for the newest vintage and are extra mindful of increasingly older wines accumulating in cellars and on retail shelves, which in turn can further deter consumers.” The dec

Potential early harvest: How is the market responding? With vineyard development across California continuing well ahead of a normal timetable, harvest 2026 now feels just around the corner: This month’s California Report details how suppliers and buyers of bulk wine and grapes have been responding. Many growers are starting to consider calling a halt to farming their uncontracted vineyards, if they have not done so already, which could curb desirable grape availability for those buyers planning a late-season purchase. While April and May temperatures were mainly within a normal range, precipitation levels swung from above average in April to below in May, before the Coast received some heavy rain events toward the end of the month. April-May rainfall has led to some reports of shatter and mildew, the latter of especial concern given the number of vineyards already mothballed. This month’s report assesses vineyard conditions by region and considers what kind of harve

The 2026 BMO Wine Market Report confirms what many winery owners have already been experiencing firsthand: the wine industry is no longer dealing with a temporary slowdown. It is operating through a structural reset. While the U.S. wine market still surpassed $115 billion in total value in 2025, overall wine volume declined again, continuing a multi-year trend that is reshaping nearly every segment of the business. A worrying trend that continues to reshape the industry and shape perceptions of where the bottom could be. According to the report, changing demographics, affordability pressures, evolving consumer habits, distribution disruptions, and rising operating costs are converging. For winery owners, the key takeaway is simple: the old assumptions no longer hold. For years, much of the industry conversation centered around oversupply. Too many grapes, too much bulk wine, and too much inventory sitting in tanks and warehouses. While those issues remain very real, the BMO report make

Join leading wine industry attorneys, winery owners, and professionals for a focused half-day panel discussion. Panelists include: Arnaud Joubert - Légi Conseils Bourgogne Mario Zepponi - BMO Howard Bailey - Arch + Beam Pete Danko - Portland Business Journal Michael (“Mikey”) Etzel - Beaux Frères Winery Janie Brooks Heuck - Brooks Winery Barbara Gross - Cooper Mountain Vineyards David Millman - Domaine Drouhin Rusty Field - Domaine Serene Adam Campbell - Elk Cove Winery JB Rivail - Ponzi Vineyards What you’ll gain: Practical strategies to manage financial and operational risk Insights on protecting assets in a shifting market Real-world perspectives from industry leaders and advisors Actionable steps to strengthen stability and long-term positioning May 12, 2026 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.  Check-In & Breakfast 8:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Program The Allision Inn & Spa 2525 Allison Lane  Newberg, OR 97132 Register Here

Wine Business Seminar SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS.  ENGAGED PARTICIPATION.  MEANINGFUL CONNECTION. Not your average wine conference.  An engaging, interactive, full-day seminar addressing real-world industry challenges through candid discussion and structured networking, alongside traditional presentation from top industry leaders and veterans.  MAY 21, 2026  |  THE FLAMINGO, SANTA ROSA  |  7 CPE CREDITS  Real industry insight.  Real conversation.  Real connection.  The AWG Wine Business Seminar moves beyond passive panels and surface-level discussion.  Throughout the day, attendees will engage directly with speakers and peers through presentations, guided discussion, and networking. SALES & MARKETING  |  MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS GENERATIONAL SHIFTS IN DEMAND  |  SYSTEMS & IT GUIDED TASTING LED BY A MASTER OF WINE STRUCTURED NETWORKING  |  ROUNDTABLE HAPPY HOUR Meet

The wine industry is undergoing a significant transformation, as highlighted in recent analyses from SVB and BMO. Both institutions underscore a pressing need for wineries to adapt to shifting consumer behaviors and market dynamics. Declining Consumption and Changing Demographics BMO's 2025 Wine Market Report indicates a 4% drop in U.S. wine consumption in 2024, with Canada experiencing a 5% decline. SVB points to a long-term "demand correction," noting that Millennials and Gen Z are less engaged with wine compared to previous generations. This generational shift is further emphasized by BMO's finding that only 8% of consumers believe moderate alcohol consumption is healthy, while 45% view it as harmful. Challenges in Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Sales While DTC sales have been a lifeline for many wineries, their effectiveness is waning. BMO reports that although DTC revenue has increased, shipment volumes are down by 10%. SVB highlights issues such as wine club churn and

A good time to harness some eye-catching bulk wine opportunities Perfectly normal temperatures and precipitation levels for the time of year have allowed the growing cycle across California to adhere to a traditional timetable, if not move slightly ahead. Intermittent 90-100°F heat spells, post-bloom, have also helped ensure no lag; to varying extents, all areas are well ahead of last year’s delayed timing, for example by as much as three weeks in some areas of the Central Coast. Vineyards appear lush, with plenty of canopy growth, given conducive soil moisture levels following the relatively wet winter. Berry sizing is underway and some lighter cluster numbers appear to be offset by larger cluster sizes. Looking ahead, viticultural climatologist Gregory V. Jones is forecasting few dramas: A slightly warmer than average June-August and an equal chance of slightly above or below average precipitation levels. There is still some way to go, but the crop potential currently looks

Afternoon Brief, June 3rd

Grim Reports Have the Wine Industry in Knots. But Should We Just Calm Down?: Lately, conversations within the wine industry have been punctuated with doom and gloom. Sales are erratic, the climate is unpredictable, overproduction is rampant and drinkers are hesitant to spend...

Afternoon Brief, May 20th

Wine Comes Roaring Back: Is all the panic about wine's decline much ado about nothing?...