Spreadsheets Aren’t “Free” A barrel inventory sheet in one tab. A fermentation log in another. A compliance tracker that’s been handed down and adapted over the years. A blending workbook, a tasting note doc, and a case count sheet. Plus the binders sitting in the desk drawers. None of it connected. When someone asks what the setup costs, the honest answer is nothing. There is no line on the P&L for wine production software. Technically, it’s free. Then you count the hours. When Wynne Sargeant joined Brave & Maiden as winemaker, the production records lived across a whole array of Google Sheets, which is a very common setup for small wineries. Topping a barrel meant opening the inventory sheet to find the right lot, then jumping to roughly a dozen other spreadsheets feeding compliance, logistics, blending, and inventory. Each one updated by hand. Technical sheets for wines already in bottle were incomplete, so producing one meant rebuilding the wine’s history from scratch. The

Join Vineyard Team and Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance for a focused half-day 2026 Industry Update designed to help you navigate what’s happening now—and what’s coming next! Hear directly from industry experts as they break down the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping grape growing in 2026. 📅 Wednesday, May 20 | 9:00 am-12:00 pm; tickets include lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm ➡️ at Springhill Suites in Atascadero 🎟️ Reserve your spot* >>> https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026tailgatesevents/event/2026-industry-update/ --- Event sessions include: 📊Grape Market Update & Industry Outlook Get clarity on what’s happening in the grape market and what it means for your operation: - Key trends shaping pricing and demand - Vineyard removals and supply outlook - What to expect in the next 12+ months Speakers: Audra Cooper & Eddie Urman (Turrentine Brokerage) --- 💰 Grants & Funding Opportunities Panel Learn how to access and successfully use available funding: - Where to

We proudly announced the recipients of the inaugural WISE Rising Stars Scholarships during a live presentation at the DTC Wine Symposium last week, celebrating the next generation of DTC wine industry leaders in front of more than 500 winery professionals. As one of the event’s original sponsors, WISE continues to invest in the Symposium’s mission of education, collaboration, and forward‑thinking leadership. The Rising Stars Scholarships extend that commitment—supporting people, developing leadership, and strengthening the DTC community across the industry. The Rising Stars Scholarships received an overwhelming response from across the country. The strength of applications prompted Commerce7 to step in and match one of the scholarships, allowing WISE to expand the program and support additional recipients. Join us as we raise a glass towards this year's recipients! Kelsey Gomes is the DTC Marketing Manager at Lange Twins Family Winery & Vineyards. Upon re

So far this year three additional states—Arkansas, Mississippi, and most recently Delaware—have approved the issuance of licenses allowing DTC wine sales. Here is a brief overview of these new licenses: Arkansas The new Arkansas Wine Direct Shipping Permit went into effect on August 5, 2025. Older AR Wine Shipping Permits were automatically converted to the new permit type on that date without requiring any application or additional fees. Registration of labels to be shipped DTC is required via Product Registration Online (PRO) before shipping can commence under the new permit. Any labels that are registered for sales at wholesale in AR are considered also registered for DTC. However, at the time of this posting, the PRO system does not allow DTC-only product registrations to be completed. We are monitoring the status and will post an update once DTC label registrations can be successfully submitted. Mississippi The MS Alcoholic Beverage Control is now issuing the new Direc

With the U.S. wine industry under pressure from declining sales, shifting consumer trends, and economic headwinds, Sonoma County’s vintners and grape growers are coming together in an unprecedented way to confront these challenges – and chart a positive path forward for the local industry. A steering committee of regional leaders has been formed to explore establishing the Sonoma County Wine Improvement District (WID) to provide stable, strategic funding for the long-term strength and sustainability of Sonoma County’s wine and agricultural economy.  The stakes are high. The marketplace is changing rapidly and maintaining the status quo is not an option. The wine industry is facing challenges like never before which must be addressed to reverse the decline and grow the overall wine category.  This effort is significant and grounded in a fundamental truth: grape growers and vintners are inextricably connected, and the success of one depends on the strength o

A winery website should do more than exist. It should work. It should sell wine, build relationships, and turn casual browsers into loyal wine club members. And if you're using Commerce7, you already have the right tool—now it’s about using it right. Because let’s be honest: most winery websites don’t work as hard as they could. They bury the wine club, make checkout frustrating, or worse—focus on tasting notes when they should be telling a story. Let’s fix that. What is Commerce7? Your Website Isn’t a Brochure. It’s Your Best Salesperson. Too many wineries treat their website like a digital pamphlet. Some pretty pictures, a little history, and a list of wines. But that’s not what sells. What sells is a clear, emotional, story-driven experience that makes a visitor think, this is my winery. Your customers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—aren’t buying based on scores. They’re buying based on connection.

Sonoma, CA, April 22, 2025 – Free Flow Wines announced the winners of the 12th annual KEGGY Awards, honoring wine on tap leaders for their extraordinary environmental impact and commitment to sustainability. For the first time, the awards are being celebrated in April to align with Earth Month, reinforcing Free Flow’s mission to drive a more sustainable future for the wine industry with reusable steel kegs – a truly zero-waste package. Additionally, Free Flow expanded award categories this year to also recognize winery partners who have saved over 50K and 2MM bottles from the landfill.  “We changed the award schedule to Earth Month to reflect one of our core values: sustainability.” said Rich Bouwer, CEO of Free Flow Wines. “It is an exciting time to be talking about our wine on tap partners. Despite ongoing challenges in the alcohol beverage sector, keg shipments through Free Flow Wines have continued to grow—proving that wine on tap is n

The 2025 Barrel Weekend is all about tasting wines from the past, present and future. This annual weekend event has been reimagined for its 47th anniversary, letting the wineries along the Wine Road focus on more than just tasting wines from the barrel. And, giving tasters new opportunities for exploring and learning about wine. More Tasting Options With wineries pouring wines from past (library wines), present (current release wines) and future (barrel samples), attendees have more choices and can choose what they most enjoy or what they seeking to restock their wine cellars. As you look through the online Barrel Weekend program, you’ll discover wineries pouring wines from one, two or all three of the category options. This information lets you, the ticket holder, design the tasting path that suits your palate preferences. If you love tasting only barrel samples and possibly buying wine futures, you can still do that. But, if you prefer to taste wines that are currently availabl

The 2024 vintage presented unique challenges and opportunities for growers and wineries across California. As we navigate shifting market dynamics, weather patterns, and evolving consumer trends, staying informed is more important than ever. That’s why Turrentine Brokerage is excited to participate in the upcoming Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) Vit Tech Seminar: 2024 Vintage Recap & Lessons for the Future, taking place in February 2025. Audra Cooper, Director of Grape Brokerage / Partner of Turrentine Brokerage will provide a review of the 2024 vintage and current market, then will moderate a panel discussion that covers multiple perspectives of the 2024 vintage, its impact on the wine and bulk market, as well as predictions for the future. Panelists include: Ben Taylor, Grower Relations Central Coast Region for Cakebread Cellars / Bezel Wines Edward Kronfli, President and CEO of Vine Shepherd Vineyard Management Matt Merrill, General Manager at Mesa Vineyard