Two Graphs Explain the Wine Market

Below is a graph on yearly volume consumption in the U.S wine market followed by a graph on dollars spent. 

What to do in Sonoma County in the Winter

What to do, besides wine tasting, of course. You might be coming in for wine, but would like something else to do while you are here. Also see this previous post that focused on wine.

Sonoma's Michelin Guide Restaurants

Sonoma County has four Michelin-starred restaurants plus several others listed in the Michelin Guide.

Wine's Future

In these times of declining worldwide consumption of wine and other alcohol one wonders what the future will hold. There are plenty of clickbait headlines about "burning vineyards" and "wine is done." This seems to be more of an adjustment from the early 21st century high point in sales. What are the key factors that will determine wine's future?

Visiting Sonoma County in the Winter

Why would you want to take a wine tasting trip to Sonoma County, and nearby Napa, in the wintertime? 

The 2026 Calif North Coast Grape Harvest

It's an odd year. It all started in the early spring.

Climate Change

"Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?" by The Clash might describe the thinking of wineries and grape growers.

Napa Too Expensive? Part 2, California Alternatives

If price and/or the crowds are keeping you from Napa Valley, there are plenty of options. The previous article covers wine regions near Napa in the Bay Area. This one explores other major wine regions in California.

Is Napa Too Expensive? Part 1, Bay Area Alternatives

If $75-up tastings, $100-up wines, and crowds aren't for you, there are options. You can seek out the dwindling number of Napa producers that charge less or you can visit other wine regions in California. There are plenty of choices!

This is Part 1 of 2, covering options in the Greater Bay Area. Part 2 will look at the rest of the state.

Attracting New Customers to the Winery

There is much talk about what Napa needs to do to attract more visitors. This is also true for Sonoma, Paso Robles and other premium wine area. The answer is simple, really, and it's not really simple.

Why Some Wine Trends Happen

We've had plenty of wine trends in the past. Recently we've seen blue wine, orange wine, CBD-infused wine, and natural wines. Some of these are still hanging on, but they never took off. We are due for a new wine trend and here's why.

Sacré Bleu, The French are Turning to Beer!

  For the first time in the modern age the consumption of beer is greater than wine in France. Beer edged out wine by 10 million liters, about 2.6 million gallons. 

  The French are at their lowest lever of wine consumption since 1957, having dropped 37% in the last three decades. As in the U.S., younger people aren't consuming as much alcohol. 

  France has over 2,000  craft breweries, compared to nearly 10,000 in the U.S. The U.S. has about five times the population of France so per capita it's about the same. French microbreweries make everything from traditional beers to hazy IPAs. 

  Cost is a factor in France, as it is here, when you consider a pint of beer is about $8 and a glass of wine is at least $12, with some $20 or more.