Zinfandel on the Rebound?

Premium Zinfandel appears to be bucking the broader trend of declining wine sales. Some white wines are also bucking the trend.

Pour Decisions (Wine Jokes)

 Friday funnies time. Might be some dad jokes in there.

Dining Out is not as Popular as it Once Was

About 20% of U.S. wine is sold to restaurants generating at least 40% of sales in dollar value, because of restaurant mark-ups. There's bad news on that front as inflation eats into people's eating out habits.

Sonoma/Napa Recent News

Recent winery-related happenings in Sonoma and Napa County.

Happy Hour at the Winery

image from sonomamag.com

 

More innovation is being used to attract more foot traffic. Several Sonoma and Napa wineries are hosting evening happy hours featuring wines by the glass, small bites, and even a food truck. Grab some friends, then head over, and grab a glass of wine.

Last year, a nearby Sonoma Valley winery did this. I went once, but their by-the-glass prices kept me from going back a second time. I'm going to check it out again this year. It's a great idea for the summer if done right.

Wineries Embrace Happy Hour from Sonoma Magazine. 

 

The Coming of Enhanced Wine Tourism

Wine tourism has always meant visiting wineries, tasting wines, maybe buying, and moving on. Sometimes there might be a look at the wine production facility. This is changing.

Sonoma Mountain Appellation

The Sonoma Mountain range that sits to the west of Sonoma Valley separating it from the Santa Rosa and Petaluma plains. The highest point in the range is Sonoma Mountain at about 2,500 ft. 

Within the Sonoma Mountain range is the Sonoma Mountain appellation or AVA. 

Not All Wine is in the Doldrums

The common opinion is that wine sales are in trouble. While overall sales are definitely down, not all market segments are the same. Here's where you'll find growth.

Visiting Sonoma County, Part 2

The previous post was title Visiting Sonoma County -- Basic Info. This one is the intermediate course.  🍷

Visiting Sonoma County -- Basic Info

If you're planning a visit here are some things to consider. 

Alternates to Your Favorite Wine Varietal

Why try something besides your favorite kind of wine? One reason is that Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon are often on the expensive side due to their popularity. Another, you might just want to change it up.

This is focused on alternatives made in California. 

Free Stuff in Sonoma County This Summer

There are numerous free events and other ideas for the warm months of 2026.