2020 Calif Wildfires Impact on Wine Making

2020 saw the largest area burnt in California in one year plus five of the top seven fires occurred in 2020. Disruptions from the fires and wildfire smoke caused some of the worst problems ever for the local wine industry. The wines from that year are often found for sale now so this is a good time to revisit the issues that grape and wine production workers went through that year.

Napa Tourism Bounces Back

There's been plenty of bad news out of the wine industry recently. It's not all gloomy, however, as Napa seems to be doing fine. The article linked below is from a Napa tourism group reported by the Wine Spectator.

Inexpensive Wine Tastings in Sonoma County

Last week was Napa wine tastings for under $50. This week it's Sonoma tastings up to $20.

A basic wine tasting in Sonoma County goes for about $25 to $40. There are exceptions on both sides of those numbers. Following are some $20 and under tastings. Most of these wineries will also offer more expensive options.

Napa Wine Tasting for Under $50

Napa Valley is all about lux experiences for many, but some of us are on a budget. These Napa wineries offer tastings for under $50pp. Almost all offer several options for tastings, and they may range from something like $40 to $100. Some will waive the tasting fee with a purchase, so be sure to ask.

Amador County, Home to Some of California's Oldest Wineries and Vineyards

About 80 miles due east of the hustle, bustle, and high prices of Napa is one of California's lesser known and lightly visited wine regions. Amador County is part of the larger Sierra Foothills wine region. Within Amador is the central wine hub of Shenandoah Valley that you enter from the town of Plymouth (pop. 1,100, founded in 1852 as a mining camp). In some ways, you are entering Napa Valley 40 years ago.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair 2024

  The Sonoma County Harvest Fair has been going on since the mid-1970s opening with the 80s and 90s probably its high point. The wine judging is on any wine entered that is made from Sonoma County grapes.

   This year's winners can be found here. There's also amateur wine and professional food competitions.

High & Low Quality Wines

This isn't about points or awards, it's about ingredients. A more natural product vs. one manipulated by lots of chemicals. Many people check ingredient labels when grocery shopping. What about the alcoholic beverages that you consume? Well, there's a problem.

One of the Best Places to Visit? Sonoma County!

Travel & Leisure says Sonoma County has "charming small towns, incredible wine, and a stunning coastline" offering a lot more than just wine. That's the one thing making Sonoma different from other wine regions, the opportunity to do more than just drink wine.

The Sell Off of Vintage Wine Estates

The bankruptcy sale of VWE holdings of Santa Rosa, CA has taken place. Here are the bigger names and where they are going.

Bill Foley, Billionaire, Winery Owner

Bill Foley, 79, has interests in financial institutions, sports teams, and wine. He owns about 20 wineries from California to France, Argentina, and New Zealand. Foley has seven wineries in Sonoma County, including some big names like Chateau St. Jean and Ferrari-Carano. And he's not done buying.

Bill is no dummy. While attending the Air Force Military Academy in the 1960s he managed to make $40,000 in the stock market. While in the Air Force he negotiated contracts with the likes of Boeing. After the military he earned his law degree and launched a career in financial services.

The bankrupt Vintage Wine Estates of Santa Rosa is selling assets, and Foley is there looking for bargains. From the bankruptcy auction he is set to purchase Sonoma Coast Vineyards plus Cosentino and Swanson Wineries in Napa.

Bill Foley's wineries

Top Concerns of the Wine Business

What are the top concerns of 2024 for those in the wine business? Per a survey from innovint.us, the top five are:

1. Maintaining or growing sales
2. Increasing costs to produce wine
3. Traffic to the tasting rooms
4. Brand recognition in the market
5. Losing customers because they are drinking less or not at all

Number 4, brand recognition, can be a problem any time. The rest are specific to today's wine market. Brand recognition, and maybe sales growth, are something you can influence if you have a marketing budget. The others are mostly out of a winery's control.
 

Signs of Weaker Wine Demand

Current thinking in the wine biz says we are in for slowing times. As I've asked before, is it a permanent slowdown or is it related to the Pandemic/lockdown/shortages/inflation cycle? Most think it's more permanent, with slowing demand for wine.