The first grapes destined for sparkling wine have arrived at the crush pad in Napa Valley, signaling the start of the 2026 harvest. While harvest marks the beginning of another vintage, it also transforms Napa Valley into one of the most exciting destinations where visitors can experience winemaking in real time. Harvest Begins Sparkling wine grapes are among the first to be brought in each year to preserve the bright acidity and freshness that define great sparkling wines. Round Pond Estate kicked off this year’s harvest with six and a half tons from their Rutherford, CA estate vineyard on Tuesday, July 21. For Round Pond Estate’s winemaker Jeff Plant, timing is everything. “We are looking for the stars to align. We need acid, sugar and flavor to all be in sync at the exact same moment,” said Plant. “Sparkling is arguably the most difficult pick to call because your pick window is so tight.” This year’s first pick is earlier than usual, but not far off of the 2015 harvest which began

A few years ago at the DTC Wine Symposium, a panelist joked about the modern winery website formula: the guy, the dog, the truck, and the vineyard. Beautiful backdrop, strong lifestyle photography, a thoughtful founder story. Polished, absolutely. Strategically distinct, rarely. The critique wasn’t about branding. It was about structure. Most winery websites aren’t broken, but they aren’t built as decision environments either. Calls to action are unclear, revenue pathways are buried, shipping surprises appear late, and wine club often lives in isolation instead of throughout the buying journey. After auditing winery sites across regions and production sizes, the pattern is consistent: performance is constrained by friction, not effort. Most wineries don’t have a traffic problem. They have a conversion architecture problem. Before increasing ad spend or launching another promotion, run a winery website audit — on your phone. Start at the homepage and move t

The wine industry is steeped in tradition, but let’s be real—it’s time to shake things up. Younger demographics aren’t buying into the same old wine marketing tricks or outdated experiences. Want to grab their attention (and their dollars)? Then it’s time to think bold, fun, and modern. You Don’t Have to Do It All—Start Small and Stay True to Your Brand Attracting younger wine lovers doesn’t mean you need to overhaul everything or abandon your roots. Instead, consider making a few strategic shifts that align with your brand. Maybe your website keeps the traditional tasting notes, but you have fun with social media. Maybe your weekends are reserved for 21+ reservation-only tastings, but your weekdays are more relaxed and family-friendly. The key is finding what works for you and your audience. Now, let’s dive into some ideas. 1. Flex Your Wine Club Options Your wine club isn’t working for everyone. Sure, your loyal members lov

TikTok’s new U.S. policy now allows beverage-alcohol ads, creating fresh opportunities for beer, wine, and spirits brands—though strict guidelines ensure ads target legal-age audiences and promote responsible drinking. Read more to see how you can leverage TikTok advertising to grow your brand while remaining compliant. 📱TikTok’s New U.S. Beverage-Alcohol Advertising Guidelines As of August, TikTok’s updated advertising policy now permits the promotion of alcohol within the United States. This change marks a significant shift for brands in the beer, wine, and spirits industry, allowing them to reach TikTok’s vast and growing audience, provided they adhere to stringent guidelines. TikTok emphasizes that these changes are aligned with local laws and regulations, and its primary focus remains on protecting the interests of its users. According to the policy, alcohol advertisements on the platform must: Target the Right Audience: Ads should only be placed in