Robert Mondavi Winery reopens with a stunning Silicon Valley-style makeover, even as premium sales flatten out across Napa. Meanwhile, a massive generational shift is taking over China, where old-school producers face historic profit drops but tech-savvy, younger consumers are suddenly driving a whole new digital wine boom.
Napa Valley is hitting a regulatory and financial pressure point, with industry insiders calling for a massive winery reality check and trade groups pushing for permit reform. Meanwhile, Norah Jones is striking a collaborative chord with a French winery, and Lodi’s old vines remind us how effortless great Zinfandel can
From Colorado’s new digital wine trail app to LVMH’s abrupt exit from Indian winemaking, the regional wine landscape is shifting. Meanwhile, retired tech execs are “messing up retirement” with a major new Idaho winery, and Southern Utah is reviving a forgotten 19th-century viticultural tradition in the desert.
Vineyard tech took a hit with the sudden collapse of AI-driven Monarch Tractor, while Napa growers are feeling the pinch of shocking regulatory costs. On the bright side, the global Old Vine Registry just smashed its milestones early, and tiny, curated wine shops are proving that less space means better
While a single bottle of 1945 DRC shattered world records at an astonishing $812,500, everyday American drinkers are aggressively tightening their belts. Facing a luxury-market squeeze in Napa and inflation everywhere else, consumers are embracing sub-$20 bottles, exploring lesser-known regions, and hunting for authentic value over pure prestige.
Diners are officially pushing back against pricey restaurant wine lists, while big-brand favorites win over newcomers ahead of bitter bottles. Globally, Argentina’s Catena Zapata dominates prestige rankings, Germany rolls out a complex new labeling law, and a modern “Judgment of Paris” redo gives struggling American winemakers a well-deserved victory.
Between international battles over bottle labels and China’s crackdown on “extravagant” drinking, the wine world is feeling some heat. On the bright side, Australian winemakers just caught a break with EU tariffs, and Southwest is making it way easier to haul a case of Sonoma Cabernet home for free.
From new research on wine’s unique health profile to Netflix’s upcoming Napa-based drama, the industry is balancing modern science with cultural storytelling. While vintners assess a generous 2024 vintage and reflect on the legacy of the late “Master Blender,” Southern California boutiques are proving that the future of wine remains
From AI-powered sommeliers and satellite-monitored vineyards in Bordeaux to the shifting economics of U.S. wine tariffs, the industry is embracing high-tech tools while navigating trade turbulence. Meanwhile, domestic wineries focus on tasting room conversions and historic venues like Trevor’s at the Tracks continue to bridge the gap between tradition and
This week in wine explores industry adaptation through education, subtle hospitality shifts, and climate resilience. Discover how Portugal demystifies its 250 native grapes, why American wineries are rethinking consumer engagement, and how extreme weather led to Dom Pérignon’s smallest vintage ever, while forcing a French grower into a tiny kayak.
From Coravin’s two-millionth sale to a Supreme Court case that could revolutionize direct-to-consumer shipping, this week’s wine news blends high-tech milestones with high-stakes legal battles. Plus, we examine Italian fraud crackdowns and a bizarre controversy involving human-compost-derived soil.
In this week’s wine news, the long-dreaded wave of California winery closures has finally arrived, while the trade battles renewed tariff uncertainty. Plus, UC Davis tests a new spray against wildfire smoke, Chef Thomas Keller scolds Yountville over workforce housing, and we feature top Italian varietals and Spanish tapas.